Cacio e Pepe Recipe
A classic Italian pasta dish featuring bucatini or spaghetti tossed in a creamy, peppery sauce made from butter, freshly ground black pepper, and finely grated pecorino or parmesan cheese. This quick and simple recipe delivers rich flavors and a silky texture, perfect for a comforting meal in under 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g bucatini or spaghetti
Sauce
- 25g butter
- 2 tsp whole black peppercorns, ground, or 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 50g pecorino or parmesan, finely grated
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions, ensuring it remains slightly firm (al dente).
- Toast the Pepper: While the pasta cooks, gently melt the butter in a medium frying pan over low heat. Add the freshly ground black pepper and toast it in the melted butter for a few minutes to release its aroma and flavor.
- Drain Pasta and Reserve Water: Drain the pasta, reserving 200ml of the cooking water. This starchy water will help create the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta and 100ml of the reserved pasta water to the pan with butter and toasted pepper. Toss briefly to combine all the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Evenly scatter the finely grated pecorino or parmesan over the pasta, but resist stirring immediately. Allow the cheese to melt for 30 seconds to prevent clumping or stringiness.
- Mix and Adjust Sauce: Once the cheese has melted, toss and stir the pasta well to create a smooth, shiny sauce. If needed, add a splash more pasta water to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with an additional grating of black pepper for extra flavor and aroma.
Notes
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor and aroma.
- Do not stir the cheese immediately after adding; letting it melt first ensures a creamy texture.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps emulsify the sauce, making it silky.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy sauce at its best.
- Pecorino cheese provides a sharper flavor while parmesan offers a milder taste, choose according to preference.
Keywords: Cacio e pepe, Italian pasta, bucatini recipe, black pepper pasta, easy Italian dinner, creamy pasta sauce
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/cacio-e-pepe-recipe/
