CACIO E PEPE WITH LEMON

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Cacio e Pepe with Lemon image

Cacio e pepe is practically synonymous with Pecorino Romano -- but Pecorino clumps when cooked. Add it at the end, instead, which also makes the most of its sharp flavor. Lemon adds spunk -- that is, acidity and freshness.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Coarse salt
8 ounces thick spaghetti or bucatini
1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, softened
3 ounces Grana Padano cheese, grated (1 cup)
2 teaspoons freshly cracked pepper (use a mortar and pestle or the coarsest setting on a grinder), plus more for garnish
3/4 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 small lemon (preferably Meyer)
High-quality extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than called for in package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  • Transfer pasta to a 12-inch skillet (preferably nonstick). Add butter and 1/2 cup pasta water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The heat helps the starch in the water meld with the fat from the butter, which prevents the Grana Padano from becoming stringy in the finished dish.
  • Reduce heat to low, and mix in Grana Padano and cracked pepper. Grana Padano is softer than Pecorino Romano; it will melt into the buttery water, creating a sauce as the pasta finishes cooking.
  • Toss pasta with tongs to thoroughly coat it with sauce. Keep everything at a gentle simmer just until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat, then stir in Pecorino Romano. (Always add Pecorino off direct heat; it clumps when cooked.) Zest lemon over the pasta. Any type of lemon will do, but a Meyer is particularly nice in this dish: It's sweeter in flavor and aroma, with back notes of orange and lime. At this time of year, you'll find Meyer lemons at specialty-food stores and some supermarkets.
  • If pasta looks dry, toss it with a bit more pasta water until it has a glossy coating. Divide between 2 warm bowls. Drizzle each with oil and lemon juice, and garnish with more cracked pepper. Serve immediately.

martin gaiti sanchez
[email protected]

Overall, I thought this recipe was pretty good. It's a bit simple for my taste, but it's still a solid cacio e pepe.


Aminat adetona
[email protected]

This recipe is a bit too rich for my taste. I think I'll try using less cheese next time.


Shayla Lee
[email protected]

I'm not a big fan of lemon, but I really enjoyed this recipe. The lemon zest adds a nice brightness to the dish without being overpowering.


md parvez ukil
[email protected]

This dish is a great way to impress your friends.


Oscar Suleman
[email protected]

I love the fact that this recipe is so quick and easy to make.


Roman Reigns
[email protected]

This recipe is a great way to introduce kids to new flavors.


Craig Lawrence
[email protected]

I'm so glad I found this recipe! It's the perfect way to use up leftover pasta.


Christance Owiti
[email protected]

This dish is so delicious and decadent. It's perfect for a special occasion.


Amin Hussen
[email protected]

I love this recipe! It's so easy to make, and it's always a hit with my guests. I usually serve it with a side salad.


Zaryab Jaan
[email protected]

This recipe is a great base for cacio e pepe. I like to add some roasted broccoli or sausage to make it a more complete meal.


Blessed Ogboka
[email protected]

I'm not sure what went wrong, but my cacio e pepe turned out really clumpy. I think I might have added too much cheese.


Astriano Castellon
[email protected]

I found this recipe to be a bit bland. I think it could use more pepper and cheese. However, the pasta was cooked perfectly.


Manuelz32 u
[email protected]

This recipe is a bit too simple for my taste. I prefer cacio e pepe with a bit more complexity. However, it's still a good recipe for beginners.


Habibur vai Official
[email protected]

I'm not a huge fan of cacio e pepe, but I really enjoyed this recipe. The lemon zest adds a nice touch, and the pasta is cooked perfectly.


Nishamalik Malik
[email protected]

This dish is so flavorful and comforting. I love the combination of cheese, pepper, and lemon. It's the perfect meal for a cold winter night.


Liyu Waktole
[email protected]

I was skeptical about adding lemon to cacio e pepe, but it really works! The lemon zest adds a nice brightness to the dish, and it balances out the richness of the cheese. I'll definitely be making this again.


Sebastian Burgos
[email protected]

This recipe is a keeper! It's so easy to make, and it's absolutely delicious. I love the way the lemon zest brightens up the dish. I'll definitely be making this again and again.


Addyson Melton
[email protected]

I love the simplicity of this dish. It's a great way to showcase the flavors of a few high-quality ingredients. I used fresh black pepper and a good quality pecorino romano cheese, and the results were amazing.


selayya clay
[email protected]

This pasta dish is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It's so quick and easy to make, and the combination of cheese, pepper, and lemon is divine. I've made it several times now, and it's always a hit with my family.


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 »