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Easy Cacio e Pepe Recipe (Perfect Every Time) Recipe

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4.4 from 70 reviews

Easy Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that combines simple ingredients like pasta, butter, freshly ground black pepper, and finely grated cheese to create a rich, creamy, and peppery sauce. This recipe guarantees a perfect, silky sauce every time, taking just 20 minutes to prepare and ideal for a cozy meal for two.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 200 grams dried pasta of your choice (or 300 grams fresh)

Sauce

  • 70 grams butter, cubed
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 70 grams cheese, finely grated (parmesan or a mix of parmesan and pecorino)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Cook your pasta in a pot of well-salted water according to the package instructions, typically undercooking dried pasta by about a minute so it finishes cooking in the sauce. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Melt Butter and Add Pepper: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the cubed butter and add the freshly ground black pepper. Let it sizzle gently for about one minute to release the pepper’s aroma.
  3. Emulsify Sauce: Pour in 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and whisk vigorously to emulsify the butter and water, creating a bubbling sauce. Shake the pan while whisking to agitate and blend the sauce well. Let it bubble gently on medium or medium-low heat for one minute to thicken slightly.
  4. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Arrange the pasta in a nice even layer in the pan.
  5. Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to the lowest possible and sprinkle the finely grated cheese evenly over the pasta. Allow the cheese to melt gently for 1-2 minutes without disturbing it (it doesn’t have to fully melt).
  6. Create Silky Sauce: Use tongs to spin and toss the pasta continuously for about 30 seconds until a smooth, silky sauce forms and coats the pasta beautifully.
  7. Serve: Serve the cacio e pepe immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

  • Using freshly ground black pepper is key for authentic flavor.
  • Undercooking pasta slightly helps it absorb the sauce better.
  • A flat whisk helps emulsify the sauce better than a balloon whisk.
  • If desired, a combination of parmesan and pecorino cheese gives a balanced flavor.
  • Reserve enough pasta water as the starch in it is essential for creating the creamy sauce.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/easy-cacio-e-pepe-recipe-perfect-every-time-recipe/