Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Italian simplicity with cacio e pepe, a timeless Roman pasta dish that is as rich in flavor as it is easy to make. This iconic dish, meaning "cheese and pepper" in Italian, showcases the harmonious union of just four basic ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and a touch of starchy pasta water that magically transforms into a luscious, velvety sauce. In this comprehensive guide, we present three variations of cacio e pepe that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. The classic cacio e pepe recipe stays true to the traditional Roman roots, while the modern cacio e pepe recipe introduces a touch of contemporary flair with the addition of butter and white wine. For those seeking a meaty indulgence, the cacio e pepe with guanciale recipe incorporates crispy guanciale that adds a delightful smoky and savory dimension to the dish. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the essence of Italian culinary artistry.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CACIO E PEPE
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt lightly. Add the pasta and cook until not quite al dente and still quite chewy, 5 to 6 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water, then drain.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When melted, add the garlic and 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water and bring to a simmer. Grind in a generous amount of pepper. Add the pasta and remaining 3 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the pasta start to simmer. Begin adding the Parmesan a handful at a time, tossing the pasta with each addition and adding more pepper if desired. Remove from the heat and continue to toss the pasta until well coated, thinning with the extra pasta water if needed. Taste and add more pepper if desired. Divide among bowls and garnish with the parsley. Serve with more Parmesan on the side.
SPAGHETTI CACIO E PEPE
This is a recipe that we have made in our family for many years--everyone loves it. It's a very basic and easy variation on mac 'n cheese.
Provided by Jennifer Torrey
Categories Side Dish
Time 23m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Scoop out some of the cooking water and reserve. Drain spaghetti.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add spaghetti and Pecorino Romano cheese. Ladle in 1/2 cup of reserved cooking water; stir until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Add more cooking water until sauce coats spaghetti, about 1 minute more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 806.5 calories, Carbohydrate 87.8 g, Cholesterol 54.1 mg, Fat 36 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 31.6 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Sodium 632.7 mg, Sugar 3.4 g
CACIO E PEPE
It is among the most basic, simplest pastas there is, and suddenly trendy to boot. Why? Because when made right, it is incredible.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories easy, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put a pot of salted water on to boil. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses and black pepper; mash with just enough cold water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste evenly in the bowl.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta. The second before it is perfectly cooked (taste it frequently once it begins to soften), use tongs to quickly transfer it to the bowl, reserving a cup or so of the cooking water. Stir vigorously to coat the pasta, adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a bit of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if necessary. The sauce should cling to the pasta and be creamy but not watery.
- Plate and dust each dish with additional pecorino and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 642, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 37 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 1104 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
EASY CACIO E PEPE
Classy Italian mac and cheese basically. Add as much pepper as you like.
Provided by Brian Genest
Categories Pasta Main Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until almost tender yet still firm to the bite, 8 to 9 minutes; they will not be fully cooked. Drain, reserving about 2 cups of pasta cooking water. Set pasta aside.
- Combine Pecorino Romano cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of pasta water and stir into a thick paste.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat; swirl to coat the bottom. Add cheese paste and a ladle of pasta water; whisk vigorously to combine. Keep whisking quickly and vigorously to make sure the cheese does not clump, about 30 seconds. Add cooked pasta and black pepper. Keep tossing skillet contents continuously until cheese has coated the pasta evenly and bucatini are cooked al dente, about 2 minutes. Add more water or cheese if the pasta sauce appears too thin or thick.
- Serve immediately topped with shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and more black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 887 calories, Carbohydrate 89.5 g, Cholesterol 97.1 mg, Fat 36.1 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 49 g, SaturatedFat 18.3 g, Sodium 1334.8 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
CACIO E PEPE
Whip up a simple cacio e pepe for a speedy lunch. With four simple ingredients - spaghetti, pepper, parmesan and butter - this is a storecupboard favourite
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cook the pasta for 2 mins less than pack instructions state, in salted boiling water. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium frying pan over a low heat, then add the ground black pepper and toast for a few minutes.
- Drain the pasta, keeping 200ml of the pasta water. Tip the pasta and 100ml of the pasta water into the pan with the butter and pepper. Toss briefly, then scatter over the parmesan evenly, but don't stir - wait for the cheese to melt for 30 seconds, then once melted, toss everything well, and stir together. This prevents the cheese from clumping or going stringy and makes a smooth, shiny sauce. Add a splash more pasta water if you need to, to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta. Serve immediately with a good grating of black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 565 calories, Fat 19 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 75 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 21 grams protein, Sodium 0.66 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Use the best quality ingredients you can find. Freshly ground black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
- Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water. This will help the pasta to cook evenly and prevent it from sticking together.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for cacio e pepe.
- Save some of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This water can be used to help create a creamy sauce.
- Add the cheese and pepper to the pasta gradually, stirring constantly. This will help to prevent the cheese from clumping and the sauce from becoming too thick.
- Serve the cacio e pepe immediately, topped with additional grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
Conclusion:
Cacio e pepe is a simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few ingredients, you can create a creamy, flavorful sauce that will coat the pasta perfectly. It's important to use quality ingredients and follow the cooking instructions carefully, to ensure that the pasta is cooked perfectly and the sauce is smooth and creamy. With a little practice, you'll be able to make cacio e pepe like a pro!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#30-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #main-ingredient #preparation #5-ingredients-or-less #easy #pasta-rice-and-grains
You'll also love