Cacio e Pepe

Indulge in the simplest yet most luxurious Italian comfort food with this classic Cacio e Pepe recipe. Translating to "cheese and pepper," this Roman pasta dish is a masterclass in simplicity, relying on just a handful of high-quality ingredients—spaghetti or bucatini, Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly ground black pepper—to create a velvety, flavorful sauce without cream or butter. The secret lies in toasting the pepper to unlock its aromatic warmth and using starchy pasta water to emulsify the sauce into a silky perfection. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining. Serve it fresh off the stove, topped with extra Pecorino and a sprinkle of pepper, for an irresistible bite of Italy!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 200 grams spaghetti or bucatini
• 100 grams Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
• 2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 liters water

Directions

Step 1

Bring 2 liters of water to a boil in a large pot, add 1 tablespoon of salt.

Step 2

Add 200 grams of spaghetti or bucatini to the boiling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3

Cook the pasta until al dente, usually about 8 minutes or according to package instructions.

Step 4

While the pasta is cooking, finely grate 100 grams of Pecorino Romano cheese and set aside.

Step 5

Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water just before draining the pasta.

Step 6

Drain the pasta and quickly return it to the empty pot.

Step 7

With the pot still over low heat, add 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper to the pasta, toasting it lightly to enhance its flavor.

Step 8

Add the reserved hot pasta water gradually, stirring continuously to help the cheese melt smoothly.

Step 9

Slowly incorporate the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese into the pasta while stirring vigorously. This should create a creamy sauce coating each strand of pasta evenly.

Step 10

Adjust the consistency of the sauce with additional pasta water if necessary, ensuring it remains smooth and silky.

Step 11

Once the pasta is well-coated with the cheese and pepper mixture, remove from heat.

Step 12

Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Pecorino and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2351.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	722.4

Total Fat 30.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 89.3mg	0%
Sodium 8928.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 1.1g
Protein 40.6g	0%

Vitamin D 21.4IU	0%
Calcium 1230.4mg	0%
Iron 3.5mg	0%
Potassium 250.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.8%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 38.3%