Polenta Cacio e Pepe

A creamy, luxurious Italian-style polenta enriched with Pecorino and/or Parmesan cheese and plenty of black pepper, prepared in a pressure cooker for perfect consistency. This comforting dish is inspired by the classic Roman pasta dish cacio e pepe.

4 servings
22 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup polenta (not quick-cooking)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
  • 2 tablespoons Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces Pecorino and/or Parmesan, finely grated, plus more
  • 1 piece pressure cooker

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk polenta and 4 cups water in pressure cooker until combined. Season with 1 tsp. salt and several grinds of pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high, whisk again, then seal pressure cooker according to manufacturer's directions. As soon as cooker hits high pressure, set a timer for 9 minutes. When timer goes off, remove from heat and manually release pressure. Carefully open lid and whisk polenta until homogenous and creamy.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk butter into polenta, then gradually add 4 oz. Pecorino, whisking until melted. Taste and season with more salt, if needed, and lots of pepper.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer polenta to a wide shallow bowl and top with more cheese and coarsely grind more pepper over.

    2 min