Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Indulge in the simple elegance of Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, an iconic Roman pasta dish that highlights the beauty of just a few quality ingredients. Perfectly al dente spaghetti is tossed with a velvety sauce made from finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and starchy pasta water, creating a rich and creamy coating without the need for heavy cream. The pepper is lightly toasted to enhance its bold, aromatic flavor, which complements the nutty, salty cheese in every bite. With minimal prep, a short 15-minute cook time, and just one skillet, this classic recipe is an effortless yet sophisticated choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve it immediately with a sprinkle of extra Pecorino and fresh pepper for a restaurant-worthy finishing touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti
• 200 grams Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a tablespoon of salt.

Step 2

Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the freshly ground black pepper to the dry skillet. Toast the pepper for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Step 5

Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.

Step 6

Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the toasted pepper. Toss the spaghetti well to coat it with the pepper.

Step 7

Gradually add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the spaghetti in the skillet, along with small amounts of the reserved pasta water, bit by bit. Continue to toss and stir the pasta until the cheese melts and creates a creamy sauce that coats the spaghetti. Adjust the consistency by adding more pasta water if necessary.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with extra grated Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(624.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1437.8

Total Fat 61.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 178.6mg	0%
Sodium 10654.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 135.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 3.7g
Protein 81.0g	0%

Vitamin D 42.9IU	0%
Calcium 2220.2mg	0%
Iron 9.4mg	0%
Potassium 477.1mg	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: 38.9%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 38.2%