3 Ingredient Cacio e Pepe
This 3 ingredient cacio e pepe is the ultimate Roman pasta dish made exclusively with pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. These three humble ingredients combine through a careful technique to create an impossibly creamy and peppery sauce without any cream whatsoever.
A classic Roman pasta made with just 3 ingredients where Pecorino Romano and black pepper form a silky cheesy sauce.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
main
freebie
Instructions
Cook Pasta and Toast Pepper
Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water until just shy of al dente. Meanwhile, toast the coarsely ground black pepper in a large dry skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant. Reserve at least 1.5 cups of starchy pasta water before draining.
Create the Cheese Paste
In a bowl, combine the finely grated Pecorino Romano with a few tablespoons of the hot pasta water and stir vigorously to form a smooth thick paste. This step is critical for achieving a creamy lump-free sauce. The paste should be thick but pourable.
Combine and Emulsify
Add the drained pasta and a splash of pasta water to the pan with the toasted pepper over low heat. Remove from heat completely, then add the cheese paste and toss rapidly while adding pasta water a little at a time until a glossy creamy sauce coats every strand. Serve immediately with extra pepper.
Substitutions
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