When I'm hungry and unprepared for dinner, this is one of my favorite pasta recipes to turn to. I always have butter and good hard Italian cheeses in my refrigerator. There's always pasta in the cupboard, so this recipe for Cacio e Pepe is always on the menu whether I've gone grocery shopping or not.
Jump to Recipe (or scroll for photos and riveting information...)Cacio e pepe is not just an emergency dinner, however. This is one of my favorite simple satisfying pasta dishes. Cacio e pepe simply means cheese and pepper. There’s not much to it, so make sure you use GREAT quality ingredients – that means true Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses and freshly cracked black peppercorns.
Cooking pasta is something that pretty much everyone knows how to cook - boil water, add pasta. However, there are...View Technique
I have made this for years. It’s my go-to when I’m low on groceries, not feeling so well, or as a simple side dish sometimes with steak.
Who knew delicious could be so fast and easy! Love this recipe!
I Make a variation of this often, I grind/shake lots of pepper in a hot pan and let it heat up for a few minutes. I then add about 1/2 stick of butter and a good pour of olive oil and a big spoonful of minced garlic. Let it simmer a bit to combine flavors. I also add a bag of sauteed pepper strips or mushrooms from time to time to change it up. Drain the spaghetti and mix in the pepper sauce, adding the reserved pasta water if needed. Let sit for a bit, Each person adds their own cheese after plating. It’s really delicious and easy, especially with the pepper strips
Great side for about any meal plus you can build onto it by adding veggies or meat.
WoW ! A recipe that has been in our family for over 60 years. We’ve had it in bowls, fried in a sauce pan, on bread as a sandwich, you name it we have done it. Also just plain old store bought Kraft Parmesan Cheese in a shaker. Anyway you serve it, it’s always a welcomed old friend ! So Tasty ! I remember enjoying this one as a baby in my high chair, picking up the noodles off of the tray and Smashing them into my mouth! Such sweet memories !
Thanks for taking me back in time !
I’ve been making this for years too. I use EVO instead of butter. Don’t you just love cooking without a recipe?
I made this with cooked & cleaned shrimp-just add to pasta & it will heat be itself. Don’t forget the EVOO at the end. Delicious & easy to make. Our family “loves” this.
A favorite – I add equal amounts of EVVO and butter, but that the only difference. Wonderful on a cold and snowy night with a lovely glass Pinot Noir.
It can be made with macaroni too. That’s how I had it growing up and still make today.
I’ve been making this for years but never knew it had a name! My pasta preference is linguine. Sometimes I add a good amount of crushed garlic. Add a side salad or just a mix of greens & I’m good to go. Thanks for your version, which is pretty much what I’ve been making. I don’t think I’ve met a pasta dish I didn’t like!!!
My 5 year old granddaughter is on her second helping as I write this. Excellent, a must have in my book. Now if only I could find a decent pasta pot, any suggestions?
I made this tonight and the cheese clumped. I followed all the directions and had gobs of cheese. When I went to clean my pan there was most of the cheese stuck to the bottom. A mess to clean up.
Any suggestions?
Cheese clumping is a common issue with this dish. You will want to make sure to use high quality cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-grated cheese has additives that prevent melting. Use the finest holes on your grater to get a powdery grated cheese, which will melt better on the pasta. Try letting the starchy pasta water sit for a few minutes before adding it to the pasta. If the water is too hot, it can cause the cheese to seize up. Add the cheese gradually with a little of the pasta water at a time so it can melt into the sauce and form a silky coating on the pasta.
Hi Meredith,
Miss you on QVC but was wondering why you don’t include a link so people can add it to their Pinterest saves!?!
Hi Darlene, Meredith will be back on QVC with one hour shows next month! There is a Pinterest icon on all of the photos on the website. Just click on the “P” circle or the red Pinterest Save button on any picture and it you can save it directly to your Pinterest board.
I make this pretty often but use elbow or seashell macaroni. I cook the pasta and then add lots of butter ( or margarine) and salt to taste and lots of black pepper.
I love this dish! I’m bad about not taking anything out of freezer so this is a good go to and I also add fresh squeezed lemon juice. I love anything 🍋
One of my favorite pastas. I make it as above but add some chopped up pancetta and either baby spinach or arugula to satisfy my hubby.