3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe (Pasta With Cheese and Pepper)
A classic Roman pasta dish made with just three main ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and spaghetti. This simple yet luxurious pasta comes together with a creamy, peppery sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
Ingredients
- •2½ cups Pecorino Romano
- •2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- •2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •1 pound spaghetti
- •1 to taste Kosher salt
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Combine 2 1/2 cups cheese and 2 Tbsp. pepper in a large bowl; add oil and 3/4 cup cold water and mash with a fork to make a thick paste. Spread paste evenly in bowl.
5 min
- 2.
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Using tongs, transfer pasta to bowl with cheese mixture; reserve pasta cooking liquid in pot. Stir pasta vigorously to coat with sauce, adding pasta cooking liquid to thin if necessary, until sauce clings to pasta and is creamy but not watery.
12 min
- 3.
Divide pasta among plates and top with additional cheese and pepper. Serve immediately.
3 min