Award Winning Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Believe it or not, this award-winning cacio e pepe recipe by NOT ANOTHER COOKING SHOW only requires 4 ingredients. It is a very simple recipe packed with flavors. This dish is easy to prepare and comes together quickly – perfect for busy nights! You can never go wrong with this recipe. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with lots of pepper. Anyone can make it at home, either for lunch or dinner.

RELATED: Cheesy Sausage and Pasta Skillet Recipe

Cacio e pepe, when translated means cheese and pepper, so for this recipe, you will need cheese and pepper. Aside from those two, you also need salt and spaghetti. Other versions of this dish have butter, but for the traditional one, you only need four ingredients.

The richness of the cheese is perfect with the peppery taste of toasted peppers. Make sure you try it at home if you love pasta.

For more pasta recipes, check these out: Easy Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake, Party Pasta Salad Recipe, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe

Classic Cacio E Pepe Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pecorino romano cheese (finely grated)
• 1 tablespoon of whole black peppercorns (toasted)
• salted pasta water

How to Make Cacio E Pepe

Step 1:

In a pan over heat, add the peppercorns and toast for about 3 minutes or until fragrant. Remove the pan from heat. Grate the toasted peppercorns directly into a pan without any heat.

Step 2:

Fill a pot with water and salt it. Let it come to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and mix. Cook the pasta about halfway through. Add a ladle or two of the pasta water to the pan with the black pepper. Turn the heat to high and start to reduce the starchy water.

Step 3:

Add the pecorino cheese into a bowl, then add a ladle or two of the pasta water. Mix until it has a paste consistency. Set it aside.

Step 4:

Once the pasta is about a minute or two away from being al dente, transfer the pasta to the pan with the pepper. Add more pasta water if needed. Finish cooking in the pan until al dente, then turn of the heat.

Step 5:

Mix in the cheese paste, then plate it immediately. Add more sauce and a little more of fresh cracked black pepper and serve. Enjoy!

Award Winning Cacio E Pepe Recipe