Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper Spaghetti)
A classic Roman pasta dish made with just Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and spaghetti, celebrated for its simplicity and bold flavor.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
- 400 g spaghetti
- 1 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese finely grated
- 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt for pasta water
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add black pepper and toast lightly for 1 minute.
Lower the heat, add the drained spaghetti to the pan, and toss to coat in the pepper-infused oil.
Gradually add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese, tossing the pasta while adding a little reserved pasta water at a time to create a creamy sauce.
Adjust the sauce consistency as needed by adding more pasta water.
Season with additional black pepper if desired and serve immediately.
Calories: 420 kcal
Carbohydrates: 56 g
Fat: 12 g
Protein: 16 g