by Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti is a typical Roman style dish and literally translates to cheese and pepper.
It is Italy’s equivalence to our mac and cheese without the addition of cream. A rather humble dish with a small supporting cast and which Romans have been making for quite some time. This dish dates way back to the Roman Empire.
Much as the name implies, this dish consists of very few ingredients. Cheese…as in lots of cheese, pepper and of course spaghetti.
Although not overly complicated to prepare, the cheese sauce does require some practice so as it doesn’t coagulate into soft clumpy strands. Mind you, even if it does it is still quite yummy!
How to make perfect Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti
In order to achieve a creamy smooth consistency and have each strand of pasta delicately coated with cheesy goodness, work with good quality room temperature cheese and not one straight from the freezer or fridge.
You’ll also want to have both cheeses finely grated in a heat proof bowl.
Then, simply toss together with some freshly cracked black pepper. Have this ready and waiting for its first ladle of slightly cooled starchy pasta water.
You’ll have a delicate and creamy sauce ready to be tossed with spaghetti in no time at all.
I served up this spaghetti dish with oven roasted cherry tomatoes and some crusty bread with a crispy side salad. It’s absolutely delicious!
Also, it makes a quick and easy just about anytime meal that is ready in under 30 minutes!
Buon Appetito!
Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated Grana Padano cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- freshly cracked black pepper (to your taste)
- 454 grams Spaghetti
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Salt the boiling water and add in the spaghetti. (use less salt then you would normally because we are adding the pasta water to the cheeses which are salty on their own)
- Cook while stirring occasionally so that the spaghetti does not stick together and remove 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time.
- Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and set aside to cool slightly. (You'll probable not need all 2 cups)
- Meanwhile heat up a large skillet over medium heat and toast a generous amount of freshly cracked coarse black pepper for about 30 seconds, stirring often.
- Add in a ladle of pasta water and let this simmer to infuse the pasta water with the freshly ground pepper for another 30 seconds then remove the pan from the heat.
- Toss in the drained spaghetti.
- Place both cheeses in a medium sized bowl and whisk in a ladle of reserved and slightly cooled pasta water to form a sauce.
- Quickly pour the cheese mixture over the spaghetti while stirring vigorously and add in an additional ladle of pasta water.
- Stir well and if the spaghetti seem a little dry, add more pasta water, continuing to stir just until the cheeses have melted and a creamy sauce is obtained while generously coating the pasta.
- Plate and serve with additional cracked black pepper, grated cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired.
Check out these other quick and easy spaghetti dishes for busy weeknights.
- Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp
- Sardine Spaghetti with Chives
- Spaghetti With Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Easy Zucchini Glazed Spaghetti
One of my all times favorite pasta dishes. You really managed to bring out the best of the dish, and got great photos, which is not so easy with such dishes. Now I’m hungry! 🙂
You are so right Ronit, it was not easy to capture the creaminess of this dish at all. I actually made it twice because I was not happy with the photos the first time around and ended up with quite a bit of left over spaghetti which I turned into a zucchini spaghetti frittata! It was so delicious that I’ll have to post the recipe….hopefully sooner then later. Thanks so much.
Gorgeous shot and delicious pasta!!
Thanks Archana, it’s an easy yet flavourful dish!
Thank you for posting you’re method. I’ve tried this dish so many times, but now I feel confident it will come out right! A perfect Sunday dinner “Primo Piatto”!
It just takes a little practice Stella don’t give up, it’s so worth it. Enjoy your Sunday dinner!
Marisa, this looks delicious. Just so delicious. Perfect in its simplicity – four ingredients! Italian food at its very best. I can’t wait to cook this – maybe tonight. Thank you!
Thanks so much Tracey, I hope you get to try it! It’s quick, easy and yummy?
An unbelievably satisfying pasta dish at any time of year! Casio e Pepe is generally responsible for the last five pounds I take on when leaving Rome. The addition of the tomatoes adds a nice bit of color and contrast to the dish. Another wonderful recipe Marisa, with exceptional photos.
Thank you Paula, that’s very kind of you! Your right, it’s quite a satisfying pasta dish and only needs a side salad or veggies to compliment it! A perfect anytime meal?
Such a gorgeous presentation! yumm
Thank you Lynn, it’s one of those easy and simple pasta dishes that can be quickly put together. Stay well my friend ?
Mmmm my mouth is watering reading this on a Friday afternoon. I had cacio e pepe in Rome for the first time two years ago and you’re transporting me back to that moment. So good!!
So glad to hear that it brought back some fond memories! It’s so deliciously simple. Thanks for dropping by Jessie!
So simple and so tastefull recipe at the same time!One of my favourites!You have made an amazing post!
Sometimes the simple things are the best! Thanks so much!
What a beautiful plate of pasta. It’s just gorgeous and sounds delicious!!!
It’s a simple yet yummy dish, thanks so much Julie!