Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2024)

Published February 4, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This 4-ingredients pasta cacio e pepe recipe is a delicious creamy dish of pecorino Romano cheese and pepper with spaghetti pasta for an easy weeknight meal.

Italian food is some of the most delicious food on the planet. Often the classic recipes we know were created based on what was available. If you want to expand your Italian recipe repertoire then check out my cacciatore or steak pizzaiola.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (1)

Cacio E Pepe is 1 of the 4 traditional Roman pastas along with All-Amatriciana, pasta alla Gricia, and carbonara. It translates to cheese and pepper because essentially those are the main ingredients in the sauce that gives it so much flavor.

Outside of pasta, Cacio E Pepe can also be expanded into making things such as risotto. Regardless, this simple pasta dish comes together in under 15 minutes making it an excellent weeknight meal for the family.

Be sure to follow my instructions exactly because the techniques to ensure you have a creamy lump-free sauce are crucial to the success of this recipe.

Cacio E Pepe Ingredients

  • Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is classic, although you can use a mixed color pepper combination.
  • Cheese – Pecorino Romano is the traditional cheese in this pasta.
  • Pasta –Spaghetti pasta is classic to use in this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite.
  • Water – Hot pasta water is needed for this dish.

How to Make Pasta Cacio E Pepe

Use these easy-to-follow instructions to make this classic spaghetti Cacio e Pepe recipe:

Toast some peppercorns over low to medium heat for about 2 minutes or until it becomes very aromatic.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2)

Set aside to cool slightly before grinding it down using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and the size of it varies from small grind to coarse grind. Set aside.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (3)

Add some of the pecorino cheese to a medium-size sauté pan along with some crushed pepper.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (4)

Pour in some pasta water into the pan and mix using a rubber spatula or spoon until it is combined and emulsified. Set aside.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (5)

Boil the pasta according to its package and then add it in potions to the pan with the cheese sauce so as to not overload it with pasta water.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (6)

Mix using the spatula until combined and then add on more cheese, pasta water, salt, and pepper, and continue to mix until thick and creamy.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (7)

Add to a plate and serve with more grated pecorino Romano cheese and more pepper.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (8)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is done cooking.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will not freeze well.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of pasta to a medium-size pan over low heat along with ¼ cup of water and heat until creamy and hot.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (9)

chef notes + tips

  • You should definitely useFresh Pasta Dough Recipe, but if not, you can easily swap out for dried.
  • The main reason there are clumps of cheese in the pasta is because the pan gets to hot. Be sure to stir constantly and make sure to turn the heat off if the cheese begins to clump. You can remove the clumps by carefully bringing down the temperature.
  • If pecorino Romano is not available, then substitute with Parmesan.
  • The technique of stirring the pasta is very similar to stir-frying.
  • You may need more pasta water so ensure it stays creamy and the pasta noodles don’t suck up too much of the sauce.
  • No you will not use all the peppercorns in this recipe, I just figured while making this why not make a little extra?
Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (10)

More Pasta Recipes

  • Aglio E Olio
  • Pasta Alla Gricia
  • Linguine With Clam Sauce
  • Pasta Primavera
  • Pomodoro

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (11)

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Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (12)

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5 from 13 votes

This 4-ingredients pasta cacio e pepe recipe is a delicious creamy dish of pecorino Romano cheese and pepper with spaghetti.

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of black peppercorns
  • 1 ¼ cups pecorino romano cheese
  • 8 ounces of hot pasta water
  • 8 ounces fresh spaghetti pasta
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Toast the peppercorns over low to medium heat in a medium size sauté pan for about 2 minutes or until it becomes very aromatic.

  • Set aside to cool slightly before grinding it down using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and the size of it varies from small grind to coarse grind. Set aside.

  • Divide the cheese into 3 piles. A large pile, a medium size pile, and a small size pile. The sizes of each do not need to be perfect.

  • Add the large pile of cheese to a medium frying pan along with a ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper, a ½ cup, or 4 ounces, of hot pasta water and mix using a rubber spatula or spoon until it is combined and emulsified. Set aside.

  • Boil the pasta according to its package and then add it in potions to the pan with the cheese sauce so to not overload it with too much pasta water.

  • Mix using the spatula until combined and then add the medium size pile of cheese along with ½ cup more, or 4 ounces, of pasta water, salt, and continue to mix until thick and creamy.

  • Add to a plate and serve by garnishing with the last small size pile of pecorino Romano cheese and additional ground pepper.

Notes

Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is done cooking.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will not freeze well.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of pasta to a medium-size pan over low heat along with ¼ cup of water and heat until creamy and hot.

You should definitely useFresh Pasta Dough Recipe, but if not, you can easily swap out for dried pasta.

The main reason there are clumps of cheese in the pasta is that the pan gets too hot. Be sure to stir constantly and make sure to turn the heat off if the cheese begins to clump. You can remove the clumps by carefully bringing down the temperature.

If pecorino Romano is not available, then substitute with Parmesan.

The technique of stirring the pasta is very similar to stir-frying.

You may need more pasta water so ensure it stays creamy and the pasta noodles don’t suck up too much of the sauce.

No, you will not use all the peppercorns in this recipe, I just figured while making this why not make a little extra?

Nutrition

Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 36gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 314IUCalcium: 737mgIron: 3mg

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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24 comments

    • Judi Baker

    I haven’t used any other recipes for almost a year since I’ve watched you. You explain everything and show step by step instructions. You are the best Chef Billy.

    • Reply
    • Diann
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (13)

    Who knew!!! This was my grandson’s favorite (minus the pepper) go to meal when he was little!! Didn’t know is was a classic!! Thanks for sharing!!

    • Reply
    • Lisa O’Brien
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (14)

    This recipe is delicious! So easy to make and flavorful.

    • Reply
    • Mimi Wilder
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (15)

    I haven’t used any other Chef’s suggestions since I found Billy, he puts a new direction in my head. Thanks, Billy … .and I’m hard to please, being from New Orleans!

    • Reply
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (16)

        I appreciate that very much.

        • Reply
      • Kim ALLEN
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (17)

      Wonderful!

      • Reply
      • Megan
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (19)

      Super Easy!

      • Reply
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (20)

          perfect!!

          • Reply
        • Brenda
        • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (21)

        I have made this and many of chef Ps recipes. I never rate but will work on it. They are great!

        • Reply
        • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (22)

            Appreciate you!

            • Reply
          • Deborah Santee
          • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (23)

          Great recipe! Love all of Chef Billy’s recipes that I’ve tried and honestly even the ones I haven’t made look incredible. My go to for recipes used to be Allrecioes but I look through Chef Billies collection first now!

          • Reply
          • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (24)

              thanks for giving it a shot!!

              • Reply
            • Sharon Ebener
            • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (25)

            So Delicious!!!

            • Reply
            • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (26)

                fantastic

                • Reply
              • Cathy Montagnolo
              • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (27)

              This is such a simple and quick recipe packed with flavor.

              • Reply
              • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (28)

                  yes!

                  • Reply
                • Marlinda LaValley
                • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (29)

                Simply amazing!

                • Reply
                • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (30)

                    so good!!

                    • Reply
                  • Patricia
                  • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (31)

                  One of your recipes I tried first! Needed a quick dinner and this was perfect!
                  Tossed greens and a red wine and it was Delish!

                  • Reply
                  • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (32)

                      Excellent!

                      • Reply
                    • Nancy
                    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (33)

                    Great instructions but ya gotta be careful of adding too much pepper. Whew! Nice, creamy sauce. Delicious!

                    • Reply
                    • cacio e pepe pasta

                    Deberiais hacer muchos mas articulos como esta… Muchas gracias, Un saludo

                    • Reply
                    • Jennifer
                    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (34)

                    Looks like my dinner tonight….thanks Billy ❤️

                    • Reply
                  Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2024)

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