15-Minute Cacio e Pepe Recipe Tastes Like It's Straight Outta Rome Pasta Dinner Vegetarian

Americans have mac and cheese. The Romans have cacio e pepe ("cheese and pepper"). While that sounds like a simple dish (and it is), the flavor and texture is beyond reproach.

I was lucky enough to eat cacio e pepe in Rome a few years ago. There are no words. This easy cacio e pepe recipe is on the table in 15 minutes.

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3

Ingredients

• 6 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Pecorino cheese

Here’s how you make it:

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted water until it’s firm, not tender. Drain and reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
2. While the pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet. Add the pepper and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
3. Add in about a 1/2 cup of pasta water and bring to a simmer. Add remaining butter and pasta. Reduce heat to low and add Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Add Pecorino cheese, remove pan from heat and stir until cheese melts (use tongs).
4. Add a little more pasta water, if needed.
5. Pour into a large pasta serving bowl and top with a sprinkling of cheese. Serve immediately.

Need help converting cooking and baking measurements? Here are some handy kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.