Perfect Cacio e Pepe Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Pecorino Sauce
A simple and comforting Italian pasta dish featuring a creamy pecorino cheese sauce with freshly cracked black pepper. Quick to prepare and perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or bucatini, dried pasta
- 1 ½ cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 150 grams)
- 2 to 3 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for pasta water
- About 1 cup (240 ml) reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts or 3.8 liters) to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt.
- Cook the spaghetti for about 8 to 9 minutes until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, toast the freshly cracked black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring often.
- Reserve about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the toasted pepper.
- Add the softened butter and toss to coat the pasta.
- Lower the heat to medium-low, gradually sprinkle in the grated pecorino cheese while continuously tossing the pasta.
- Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to help the cheese melt evenly and create a creamy sauce. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Drizzle in the olive oil (if using) and toss everything together for a final coating.
- Serve immediately with an extra crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of pecorino cheese if desired.
Notes
Toast the black pepper first to enhance flavor. Use finely grated pecorino cheese to avoid grainy sauce. Reserve plenty of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Add cheese gradually off heat to prevent clumping. Adjust pepper level to taste. Serve immediately for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups per s
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: cacio e pepe, pasta recipe, pecorino cheese, creamy sauce, black pepper pasta, easy Italian dinner, quick pasta recipe