Best 6 Cacio E Pepe Pasta Recipes

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In the realm of pasta dishes, Cacio e Pepe stands out as a testament to the power of simplicity. Originating from the Lazio region of Italy, this classic Roman pasta embodies the essence of culinary minimalism, relying on just a handful of carefully selected ingredients to create a symphony of flavors. At its core, Cacio e Pepe is a harmonious blend of pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly ground black pepper. The secret lies in the technique, where the cheese and pasta water emulsify to form a luscious, velvety sauce that coats every strand with a delightful creaminess. As you twirl your fork around the pasta, the aromas of nutty cheese and peppery spice fill the air, promising a taste sensation that is both comforting and utterly satisfying. This article presents a collection of Cacio e Pepe recipes that explore variations on this timeless dish, each offering a unique twist on the classic. From the traditional Cacio e Pepe to renditions that incorporate additional ingredients like pancetta, artichokes, or even vodka, these recipes cater to a wide range of preferences and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, let these Cacio e Pepe recipes guide you towards a pasta experience that is both authentic and unforgettable.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CACIO E PEPE



Cacio e Pepe image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti
6 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, grated
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan or pecorino, plus more for serving
Minced fresh or dried parsley, for serving

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.

CACIO E PEPE



Cacio e Pepe image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

12 ounces thick-cut dry pasta
Kosher salt
30 turns freshly ground black pepper, on the coarsest setting, plus more for serving
1/3 cup grated Pecorino-Romano cheese, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

Steps:

  • In a pan just wide enough to hold the pasta, place enough water to fill the pan 1 inch from the bottom. Season the water with a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Spread the pasta in the pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Allow the pasta water to reduce; do not add more, as you want the starchy water to be minimal when the remaining ingredients are added.
  • Meanwhile, add the coarse black pepper to a separate small pan over medium heat. Toast a minute or two until fragrant.
  • Once the pasta is al dente and the pasta water has reduced so only a slight coating remains at the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat and add the toasted ground black pepper and Pecorino-Romano. Stir and toss vigorously until both ingredients are well incorporated into the pasta. Toss in the olive oil and season with salt.
  • Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and garnish with more black pepper, Pecorino-Romano and extra-virgin olive oil.

LEMONY CACIO E PEPE



Lemony Cacio e Pepe image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus more for garnish
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and drain.
  • Add 4 tablespoons of the butter to a large, straight-sided pan and heat over medium. Once melted, add the pepper and toast for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Add in about 1 1/4 cups of the reserved pasta water and the lemon zest, bring to a light simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the cooked spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, toss the pasta and cheese together, incorporating about 1/2 additional cup more pasta water. Keep tossing the pasta until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is silky and coating the pasta, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and chives and toss to combine. Serve immediately, topped with extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper.

CACIO E PEPE



Cacio e pepe image

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

200g bucatini or spaghetti
25g butter
2 tsp whole black peppercorns, ground, or 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
50g pecorino or parmesan, finely grated

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

CACIO E PEPE (CHEESE AND PEPPER PASTA)



Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper Pasta) image

An incredibly simple dish, requiring only five ingredients.

Provided by HugeTaste

Time 40m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 (16 ounce) packages dried spaghetti
3 ½ cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, or more to taste
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a 12-quart pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 2 cups of cooking water.
  • Return pasta and cooking water to the pot over low heat. Add 3 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese, butter, and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted and formed a creamy sauce, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.
  • Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.4 calories, Carbohydrate 42.9 g, Cholesterol 38.5 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 15.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 316.4 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

SPAGHETTI CACIO E PEPE



Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe image

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

1 pound spaghetti
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 ¾ cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese

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

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the final dish will be. Look for high-quality pasta, freshly ground black pepper, and a good quality Pecorino Romano cheese.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and will not hold the sauce well.
  • Use a generous amount of black pepper: Black pepper is the star of this dish, so don't be afraid to use a lot of it. Freshly ground black pepper will give the dish the best flavor.
  • Grate the Pecorino Romano cheese finely: This will help the cheese to melt evenly and create a smooth sauce.
  • Add the cheese and pepper to the pasta while it is still hot: This will help the cheese to melt and create a creamy sauce.
  • Serve immediately: Cacio e pepe is best enjoyed immediately after it is made. The pasta will start to lose its creaminess as it cools.

Conclusion:

Cacio e pepe is a simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give cacio e pepe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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