cacio e pepe

5 Pinches 1 Photo
Surrey South, BC
Updated on May 8, 2025

Quick and easy to make, this tasty pasta recipe is another great one to add to your folder!

prep time 5 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Stove Top
yield 4 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces uncooked spaghetti (substitute bucatini)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground Himalayan pink salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground mixed peppercorns, plus more for serving
  • 1 cup Grana Padano cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Pecorino cheese, grated

How To Make cacio e pepe

  • Step 1
    In a large shallow skillet, bring water to a boil and add a couple of pinches of salt. Add spaghetti, making sure there’s just enough water to cover the pasta. While maintaining a low boil, cook until almost done, gently tossing it around occasionally.
  • Step 2
    In another large skillet on low heat, add ground mixed peppercorns and cook for 2 minutes, shaking the pan often.
  • Step 3
    Stir in a couple ladles of pasta water to the peppercorns to prevent them from burning and increase the heat to medium-low.
  • Step 4
    In a small bowl, combine Grana Padano and Pecorino cheese. Stir to blend and set aside.
  • Step 5
    When the pasta is almost cooked, transfer it to the peppercorn mixture and stir to coat; reserve 1/4 cup pasta water for the cheese later.
  • Step 6
    To finish the spaghetti, add a couple ladles of pasta water from the skillet where the noodles were initially cooked and toss. When the liquid is all absorbed, add more (it’s the same technique as cooking risotto). Repeat until pasta is done.
  • Step 7
    Turn off the heat and let the noodles sit for a few minutes to cool off.
  • Step 8
    Meanwhile, add the reserved pasta water to the cheeses, a little at a time, and stir until the mixture resembles a paste. Another way of doing it is to add the cheeses to the jar of a blender and keep adding cooled pasta water until the mixture turns into a creamy mixture.
  • Step 9
    Add cheese paste to the spaghetti and stir until it gets creamy – add a touch more water if needed. If using the blender method, simply pour, stir, and serve.
  • Step 10
    Serve immediately, add extra grated cheese and season with more black pepper.
  • Step 11
    To view this classic Roman pasta dish on YouTube, click on this link ➡ https://youtu.be/QVihxUE_N3s

Discover More

Category: Pasta
Culture: Italian
Ingredient: Pasta
Method: Stove Top

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