Description
Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made from Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Simple yet flavorful, this 20-minute recipe uses minimal ingredients and a straightforward cooking process to deliver a rich, comforting meal perfect for any pasta lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
- 1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)
- Salt, for boiling water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
- Toast the Pepper: In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the freshly ground black pepper for about 1 minute or until fragrant to release its aroma and flavor.
- Create the Base: Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. This will help infuse the water with pepper flavor, forming the base of the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and add the drained spaghetti to the skillet. Toss the pasta thoroughly to coat it evenly with the pepper-infused water.
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually sprinkle in the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, continuously stirring and tossing the pasta. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy, smooth sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Enhance (Optional): For added richness and creaminess, stir in the unsalted butter until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Continue tossing the pasta until the sauce is smooth and evenly coats each strand. Serve immediately with extra Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper on top for garnish.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for the best flavor and sauce texture.
- Reserve enough pasta water as the starchy water helps create a creamy sauce without cream.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to your taste for a spicier or milder dish.
- This dish is best served immediately as the sauce can thicken and dry out upon standing.
- Butter is optional but recommended for extra creaminess and flavor depth.
- To prevent the pasta from sticking, toss it immediately with the sauce after draining.
