🍝 Easy Cacio e Pepe

Name: 🍝 Easy Cacio e Pepe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 8 oz spaghetti (or any pasta) 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan if preferred) 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp butter or olive oil (optional, for creaminess) Salt (for pasta water); 1 cup Pecorino Romano, finely grated; 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; Butter or olive oil (optional, for creaminess); Salt (for pasta water)

5 steps

Prep:5minCook:10min

Updated at: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 18:35:57 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Moderate

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories925 kcal (46%)

Total Fat45.1 g (64%)

Carbs87.9 g (34%)

Sugars3.1 g (3%)

Protein44 g (88%)

Sodium2035.5 mg (102%)

Fiber4.9 g (18%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

2 servings

8 ozspaghetti

or any pasta

1 cupPecorino Romano

finely grated

2 tspblack pepper

2 Tbspbutter

Salt

for pasta water

1 cupPecorino Romano

finely grated

2 tspblack pepper

freshly ground

Butter oil

or olive, optional, for creaminess

salt

for pasta water

Instructions

Step 1

1. Cook pasta (8–10 min, high heat) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain.

Step 2

2. Toast pepper (1 min, medium heat) Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add freshly ground black pepper and toast ~1 minute until fragrant. Add 2–3 tbsp pasta water to loosen.

Step 3

3. Make cheese sauce (3–4 min, medium-low heat) Reduce to medium-low heat (or even remove the pan from heat). Slowly whisk in grated cheese, adding splashes of pasta water a little at a time. Stir until sauce is creamy and smooth. ⚠️ If cheese clumps, lower the heat or take pan off burner and add more pasta water.

Step 4

4. Toss pasta (2 min, low heat) Add drained pasta to skillet. Toss vigorously over low heat until fully coated. Add more pasta water if needed for silkiness.

Step 5

5. Serve immediately Plate hot, top with extra cheese and pepper.