The 3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe Recipe Everyone Is Making by 30Seconds Food
Cacio e pepe literally means "cheese and pepper." The creamy, delicious Italian pasta dish, which originated in Rome, Italy, is like a simplistic version of our macaroni and cheese. Well, kind of.
Classic cacio e pepe is made with pasta (usually spaghetti noodles), grated Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. That's it! While some cacio e pepe recipes call for cream and butter, it's not really necessary – and this three-ingredient vegetarian cacio e pepe recipe proves that. Italian food lover Pina Bresciani went viral on TikTok with her three-ingredient cacio e pepe recipe. Here's the pasta recipe so you can enjoy it tonight.
To make this creamy three-ingredient cacio e pepe you will need spaghetti noodles, whole black peppercorns and Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve this quick Italian dish for dinner with a salad and garlic bread.
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Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 10 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1/2 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, ground
- 2 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
Helpful Products
- Pepper Grinders
- Mortar and Pestle
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Skillet
- Grater
- Airtight Containers
- Pasta Pot
- Pasta Bowls
- Glass Measuring Cup
Recipe Notes
- You could use Parmesan cheese, but it doesn't have the same saltiness and flavor as Pecorino Romano, which is traditional in this dish.
- Grind the whole black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or use the back of a heavy skillet.
- Be sure to save the pasta water before draining your pasta!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Here's how to make it:
- Cook the spaghetti noodles in salted, boiling water for half of the time stated on the box. Drain and reserve about 2 cups of the pasta water.
- Put 1 1/2 teaspoons of the ground peppercorns into a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add about 1/2 cup of the pasta water to the skillet and stir. Add the spaghetti noodles and continue to cook, stirring, adding more pasta water as needed, until they are al dente.
- Combine the cheese and about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Mix with a fork until a paste-like consistency forms.
- Remove the pasta from the heat. Stir in the cheese mixture and toss to combine. Continue stirring until it is clump free and creamy. Serve with additional black pepper and cheese.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories: 672
Total Fat: 17.3g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 1138mg
Total Carbohydrate: 98g
Dietary Fiber: 12.7g
Total Sugars: 4.5g
Protein: 29.1g
Vitamin D: 3mcg
Calcium: 1003mg
Iron: 4mg
Potassium: 10mg
Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.
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