Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian dish, which consists of only a few simple ingredients. Despite its simplicity, the classic Roman dish has gained a worldwide following, as it’s absolutely packed with flavour and only takes minutes to prepare. Whether you’re already familiar with the dish, or have never even heard of it before, this post will take you through all the steps for making a delicious Cacio e Pepe recipe.
In this post, we’ll cover what you need to make your own Cacio e Pepe, how to prepare the ingredients, and the simple steps to making a delicious plate of this classic Italian dish. Whether you’re planning a dinner for guests or just want to whip something up for yourself, this dish is sure to go down a treat with its blend of the flavours of Parmigiana, pecorino Romano and black pepper.
Ingredients for Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is a traditional Italian dish made with simple ingredients that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. The classic version of Cacio e Pepe requires only four ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and salt.
Pasta is always at the heart of Cacio e Pepe. Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, and orecchiette are the best choice for this creamy pasta dish. They’re easy to mix with the cheese and pepper, so there’s a perfectly balanced bite in every forkful.
Pecorino Romano cheese is a classic choice for the creamy factor of this recipe. It’s deliciously salty, and its sharp taste perfectly cuts through the pepper. If you need a milder option, you can also use Parmigiano Reggiano.
Freshly ground black pepper is a must for this recipe. It gives the dish its signature bite and adds a layer of complexity to the dish.
Salt is used to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients, but don’t use too much. The cheese is already quite salty, so a pinch of salt should be enough to finish the dish.
How To Make The Perfect Cacio e Pepe
Step 1: Bring a Pot of Water to a Boil
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a roaring boil. Add salt to the water to give your pasta more flavor. You can also add a few drops of olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente. Depending on the shape of the pasta, this should take between 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 3: Reserve 1 Cup of the Pasta Water
Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. This will be used later to create the creamy sauce for the dish.
Step 4: Grate the Cheese
While the pasta is cooking, grate the Pecorino Romano cheese. Set aside 1/2 cup of the grated cheese to add to the dish later.
Step 5: Drain the Pasta and Add to a Hot Pan
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to a hot pan along with the reserved cooking liquid. Cook on medium heat for about 1 minute, stirring the pasta and the liquid together.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Pepper
Add the 1/2 cup of grated cheese and as much freshly ground black pepper as you like to the pan. Stir together until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the Cacio e Pepe in individual bowls and top with more grated cheese and pepper. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that is simple to make and absolutely delicious. All you need are four easily available ingredients and a few minutes of your time. The shining star of this recipe is the Pecorino Romano cheese, which gives the dish its signature salty sharpness. Serve your Cacio e Pepe with extra grated cheese and freshly ground pepper for out-of-this world flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cacio e Pepe?
Cacio e Pepe is an Italian pasta dish made with spaghetti noodles, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper as the main ingredients.
What ingredients do I need for this recipe?
For this recipe, you will need spaghetti noodles, butter, Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
How do I make the dish?
To make the dish, cook the spaghetti noodles in boiling salted water until they are al dente. In a separate pan, add butter, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and black pepper. Then add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the pan, stirring everything together. Finally, add olive oil to the pan and stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Serve warm.
How long does it take to make?
This dish takes around 15 minutes to make, from start to finish.
Can I add other ingredients to the dish?
Sure, you can customize the dish however you like. Have fun experimenting with different flavors. Some people like to add garlic, pancetta, or even hot chili flakes.