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Creamy Homemade Cacio e Pepe Bucatini Recipe with Fresh Black Pepper Made Easy

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A quick and easy creamy cacio e pepe bucatini pasta featuring fresh cracked black pepper and pecorino romano cheese, delivering a silky, peppery sauce without heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces bucatini pasta
  • 1 ½ cups finely grated pecorino romano cheese (about 150 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • Salt for pasta water (sea salt or kosher salt recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil using about 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt. The water should taste like the sea.
  2. Add the bucatini pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, usually 9-10 minutes; check package instructions. Reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta water before draining.
  3. Toast the black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
  4. Add about ½ cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet with the toasted pepper and bring to a simmer.
  5. Gradually add the grated pecorino romano to the skillet, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or tongs to prevent clumping. Add more pasta water as needed until the sauce is silky and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Add the drained bucatini to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta with the sauce.
  7. If desired, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss again for extra richness.
  8. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed and serve immediately.

Notes

Toast the black pepper to release its oils and deepen flavor. Gradually add cheese to the pasta water and pepper mixture to avoid clumping. Use reserved starchy pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon cooling. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: cacio e pepe, bucatini, creamy pasta, pecorino romano, black pepper, quick pasta recipe, Italian pasta, easy dinner

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/creamy-homemade-cacio-e-pepe-bucatini-recipe-with-fresh-black-pepper-made-easy/