Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2024)

Published February 4, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This 4-ingredients pasta cacio e pepe recipe is a delicious creamy dish of pecorino Romano cheese and pepper with spaghetti pasta for an easy weeknight meal.

Italian food is some of the most delicious food on the planet. Often the classic recipes we know were created based on what was available. If you want to expand your Italian recipe repertoire then check out my cacciatore or steak pizzaiola.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (1)

Cacio E Pepe is 1 of the 4 traditional Roman pastas along with All-Amatriciana, pasta alla Gricia, and carbonara. It translates to cheese and pepper because essentially those are the main ingredients in the sauce that gives it so much flavor.

Outside of pasta, Cacio E Pepe can also be expanded into making things such as risotto. Regardless, this simple pasta dish comes together in under 15 minutes making it an excellent weeknight meal for the family.

Be sure to follow my instructions exactly because the techniques to ensure you have a creamy lump-free sauce are crucial to the success of this recipe.

Cacio E Pepe Ingredients

  • Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is classic, although you can use a mixed color pepper combination.
  • Cheese – Pecorino Romano is the traditional cheese in this pasta.
  • Pasta –Spaghetti pasta is classic to use in this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite.
  • Water – Hot pasta water is needed for this dish.

How to Make Pasta Cacio E Pepe

Use these easy-to-follow instructions to make this classic spaghetti Cacio e Pepe recipe:

Toast some peppercorns over low to medium heat for about 2 minutes or until it becomes very aromatic.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2)

Set aside to cool slightly before grinding it down using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and the size of it varies from small grind to coarse grind. Set aside.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (3)

Add some of the pecorino cheese to a medium-size sauté pan along with some crushed pepper.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (4)

Pour in some pasta water into the pan and mix using a rubber spatula or spoon until it is combined and emulsified. Set aside.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (5)

Boil the pasta according to its package and then add it in potions to the pan with the cheese sauce so as to not overload it with pasta water.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (6)

Mix using the spatula until combined and then add on more cheese, pasta water, salt, and pepper, and continue to mix until thick and creamy.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (7)

Add to a plate and serve with more grated pecorino Romano cheese and more pepper.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (8)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is done cooking.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will not freeze well.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of pasta to a medium-size pan over low heat along with ¼ cup of water and heat until creamy and hot.

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (9)

chef notes + tips

  • You should definitely useFresh Pasta Dough Recipe, but if not, you can easily swap out for dried.
  • The main reason there are clumps of cheese in the pasta is because the pan gets to hot. Be sure to stir constantly and make sure to turn the heat off if the cheese begins to clump. You can remove the clumps by carefully bringing down the temperature.
  • If pecorino Romano is not available, then substitute with Parmesan.
  • The technique of stirring the pasta is very similar to stir-frying.
  • You may need more pasta water so ensure it stays creamy and the pasta noodles don’t suck up too much of the sauce.
  • No you will not use all the peppercorns in this recipe, I just figured while making this why not make a little extra?
Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (10)

More Pasta Recipes

  • Aglio E Olio
  • Pasta Alla Gricia
  • Linguine With Clam Sauce
  • Pasta Primavera
  • Pomodoro

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (11)

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Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (12)

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5 from 13 votes

This 4-ingredients pasta cacio e pepe recipe is a delicious creamy dish of pecorino Romano cheese and pepper with spaghetti.

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of black peppercorns
  • 1 ¼ cups pecorino romano cheese
  • 8 ounces of hot pasta water
  • 8 ounces fresh spaghetti pasta
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Toast the peppercorns over low to medium heat in a medium size sauté pan for about 2 minutes or until it becomes very aromatic.

  • Set aside to cool slightly before grinding it down using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and the size of it varies from small grind to coarse grind. Set aside.

  • Divide the cheese into 3 piles. A large pile, a medium size pile, and a small size pile. The sizes of each do not need to be perfect.

  • Add the large pile of cheese to a medium frying pan along with a ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper, a ½ cup, or 4 ounces, of hot pasta water and mix using a rubber spatula or spoon until it is combined and emulsified. Set aside.

  • Boil the pasta according to its package and then add it in potions to the pan with the cheese sauce so to not overload it with too much pasta water.

  • Mix using the spatula until combined and then add the medium size pile of cheese along with ½ cup more, or 4 ounces, of pasta water, salt, and continue to mix until thick and creamy.

  • Add to a plate and serve by garnishing with the last small size pile of pecorino Romano cheese and additional ground pepper.

Notes

Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is done cooking.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This will not freeze well.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of pasta to a medium-size pan over low heat along with ¼ cup of water and heat until creamy and hot.

You should definitely useFresh Pasta Dough Recipe, but if not, you can easily swap out for dried pasta.

The main reason there are clumps of cheese in the pasta is that the pan gets too hot. Be sure to stir constantly and make sure to turn the heat off if the cheese begins to clump. You can remove the clumps by carefully bringing down the temperature.

If pecorino Romano is not available, then substitute with Parmesan.

The technique of stirring the pasta is very similar to stir-frying.

You may need more pasta water so ensure it stays creamy and the pasta noodles don’t suck up too much of the sauce.

No, you will not use all the peppercorns in this recipe, I just figured while making this why not make a little extra?

Nutrition

Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 36gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 314IUCalcium: 737mgIron: 3mg

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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24 comments

    • Judi Baker

    I haven’t used any other recipes for almost a year since I’ve watched you. You explain everything and show step by step instructions. You are the best Chef Billy.

    • Reply
    • Diann
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (13)

    Who knew!!! This was my grandson’s favorite (minus the pepper) go to meal when he was little!! Didn’t know is was a classic!! Thanks for sharing!!

    • Reply
    • Lisa O’Brien
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (14)

    This recipe is delicious! So easy to make and flavorful.

    • Reply
    • Mimi Wilder
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (15)

    I haven’t used any other Chef’s suggestions since I found Billy, he puts a new direction in my head. Thanks, Billy … .and I’m hard to please, being from New Orleans!

    • Reply
    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (16)

        I appreciate that very much.

        • Reply
      • Kim ALLEN
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (17)

      Wonderful!

      • Reply
      • Megan
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (19)

      Super Easy!

      • Reply
      • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (20)

          perfect!!

          • Reply
        • Brenda
        • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (21)

        I have made this and many of chef Ps recipes. I never rate but will work on it. They are great!

        • Reply
        • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (22)

            Appreciate you!

            • Reply
          • Deborah Santee
          • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (23)

          Great recipe! Love all of Chef Billy’s recipes that I’ve tried and honestly even the ones I haven’t made look incredible. My go to for recipes used to be Allrecioes but I look through Chef Billies collection first now!

          • Reply
          • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (24)

              thanks for giving it a shot!!

              • Reply
            • Sharon Ebener
            • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (25)

            So Delicious!!!

            • Reply
            • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (26)

                fantastic

                • Reply
              • Cathy Montagnolo
              • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (27)

              This is such a simple and quick recipe packed with flavor.

              • Reply
              • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (28)

                  yes!

                  • Reply
                • Marlinda LaValley
                • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (29)

                Simply amazing!

                • Reply
                • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (30)

                    so good!!

                    • Reply
                  • Patricia
                  • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (31)

                  One of your recipes I tried first! Needed a quick dinner and this was perfect!
                  Tossed greens and a red wine and it was Delish!

                  • Reply
                  • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (32)

                      Excellent!

                      • Reply
                    • Nancy
                    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (33)

                    Great instructions but ya gotta be careful of adding too much pepper. Whew! Nice, creamy sauce. Delicious!

                    • Reply
                    • cacio e pepe pasta

                    Deberiais hacer muchos mas articulos como esta… Muchas gracias, Un saludo

                    • Reply
                    • Jennifer
                    • Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (34)

                    Looks like my dinner tonight….thanks Billy ❤️

                    • Reply
                  Pasta Cacio E Pepe Recipe (2024)

                  FAQs

                  What is cacio e pepe sauce made of? ›

                  Traditionally, cacio e pepe (pronounced: kaa-chee-ow ee peh-pay) is made with just three ingredients: aged pecorino Romano cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and pasta, usually spaghetti; plus the starchy water from cooking the noodles. You don't have to go to Rome to enjoy cacio e pepe.

                  What makes cacio e pepe so good? ›

                  Which is what makes cacio e pepe, the classic Roman pasta dish comprised of nothing more than (plenty of) grated Pecorino, (lots of) freshly cracked black pepper, and a splash of pasta water so damn special: Give those two the mic, and they can really sing.

                  Why is cacio e pepe so hard to perfectly execute? ›

                  But it is extremely hard to execute well because you need to control the heat. The cheese will become stringy if you heat up your pan too much (above 70 °C or 158 °F). I tested all the methods, so you do not need to! Cacio e Pepe is rare in restaurants because it is hard to serve warm without the corn starch trick.

                  Can I use parmesan instead of Pecorino for cacio e pepe? ›

                  Opt for Parmesan: You can use Parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano, or even combine the two for a unique cheese profile. However, Parmesan isn't as salty or tangy as Pecorino Romano, so you may need to add more to get the sharpness that cacio e pepe is known for.

                  What kind of pasta is used in cacio e pepe? ›

                  Pasta: Tonnarelli is the traditional pasta for Cacio de Pepe but you may use easier to find spaghetti or bucatini.

                  What pairs best with cacio e pepe? ›

                  Look no further than Chianti Classico for a classic red pairing. While most people associate this wine with flavorful meats like Florentine steak, the sharpness of the cacio e pepe holds its own and makes Chianti an unexpected accompaniment.

                  What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's cacio e pepe? ›

                  Ingredients. WATER, DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHIP'S MILK, SALT, ANIMAL RENNET, CHEESE CULTURES), MILK, WHEAT FLOUR, CREAM, BUTTER (MILK, NATURAL FLAVOR), GROUND BLACK PEPPER, SALT. Find out how your wellness data and product content can elevate the customer experience and convert more shoppers!

                  Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in cacio e pepe? ›

                  This modern Italian classic should be made with a combination of Pecorino & Parmigiano Reggiano but also worked well with Mature Cheddar!

                  How do you use jarred cacio e pepe sauce? ›

                  Directions: Shake before opening. Heat and serve with pasta, meats or seafood. Heat sauce on stovetop or microwave.

                  How is cacio e pepe different from alfredo? ›

                  Cacio e pepe is made by emulsifying pasta water with grated cheese and black pepper. It clumps so easily. Alfredo has an image problem. Americans think of it as pasta draped in a cream sauce made of heavy cream and cheese, but the original version is thinner and creamy from an emulsion of butter and grated cheese.

                  What city is known for cacio e pepe? ›

                  Rome, the capital of Italy, with its simple and genuine cuisine is known worldwide. Among the dishes of Roman cuisine, the most appreciated are the first such as gricia, carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe.

                  Why does my cheese clump in cacio e pepe? ›

                  That said, as simple as the cacio e pepe ingredient list may be, this dish is famously finicky when it comes to technique. If the cheese is overheated or the starchy pasta water isn't emulsified properly, the sauce can turn into a sticky, clumpy mess, which I can vouch from experience is always such a tragedy.

                  How to fix broken cacio e pepe? ›

                  Broken sauce can be fixed with more pasta water.

                  How to emulsify cacio e pepe sauce? ›

                  The key is adding the cheese gradually so it emulsifies instead of clumping together - this will ruin the sauce. Taste and season, adding more pasta water to thin it out nicely (as the sauce cools it will thicken, so I usually add slightly more pasta water than it appears to need in the hot pan).

                  What's the difference between Cacio e Pepe and alfredo sauce? ›

                  Cacio e pepe is made by emulsifying pasta water with grated cheese and black pepper. It clumps so easily. Alfredo has an image problem. Americans think of it as pasta draped in a cream sauce made of heavy cream and cheese, but the original version is thinner and creamy from an emulsion of butter and grated cheese.

                  What does Cacio e Pepe taste like? ›

                  The translation of Cacio e Pepe literally means cheese and pepper. This pasta dish is incredibly simple, but packs a lot of rich flavor with pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground pepper. It has a very rich and strong flavor due to the Pecorino Romano sharp cheese as well as the heavy amount of pepper.

                  Does Cacio e Pepe contain butter? ›

                  This traditional Italian dish is simple and savory. Butter, cheese, and cracked black pepper are combined to create an easy weeknight dish in under 30 minutes.

                  What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe? ›

                  Ingredients. WATER, DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHIP'S MILK, SALT, ANIMAL RENNET, CHEESE CULTURES), MILK, WHEAT FLOUR, CREAM, BUTTER (MILK, NATURAL FLAVOR), GROUND BLACK PEPPER, SALT. Find out how your wellness data and product content can elevate the customer experience and convert more shoppers!

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