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Creamy Roman Cacio e Pepe Recipe with Bold Black Pepper

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A simple yet elegant Roman pasta dish featuring creamy Pecorino Romano cheese and bold freshly cracked black pepper, emulsified with starchy pasta water for a silky sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces spaghetti (preferably Barilla or De Cecco)
  • 1 ½ cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 5 ounces or 140 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly cracked black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt (for pasta water)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted softened butter (optional)
  • About 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water (240 ml)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts) to a boil.
  2. Add spaghetti and cook until just shy of al dente, about 8-9 minutes.
  3. While pasta cooks, toast the freshly cracked black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly smoky.
  4. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  5. Drain the pasta quickly without rinsing to keep starch on noodles.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet with toasted pepper and toss to coat.
  7. Reduce heat to low and gradually sprinkle in grated Pecorino Romano while continuously tossing.
  8. Add pasta water gradually, about ¼ cup at a time, tossing until the cheese melts and sauce becomes silky and creamy.
  9. If sauce looks clumpy, add more pasta water and keep tossing until smooth.
  10. Optional: Stir in softened butter for extra richness.
  11. Give everything a final toss, taste, and add a pinch of salt if needed.
  12. Serve immediately while warm and saucy.

Notes

Use freshly cracked black pepper and toast it gently to unlock essential oils. Grate Pecorino Romano finely for a smooth sauce. Add pasta water gradually while tossing to avoid clumps. Keep heat low when combining cheese and pasta to prevent graininess. Do not rinse pasta after draining to retain starch. If sauce thickens before serving, add a splash of warm pasta water to loosen it.

Nutrition

Keywords: cacio e pepe, creamy pasta, Roman pasta, Pecorino Romano, black pepper pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-roman-cacio-e-pepe-recipe-with-bold-black-pepper-easy-and-perfect/