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
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.
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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.