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Cacio e Pepe Recipe Easy Silky No-Clump Sauce in 15 Minutes

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A quick and easy cacio e pepe recipe that delivers a silky, no-clump sauce in just 15 minutes using simple ingredients like pecorino cheese, black pepper, and spaghetti.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) dried spaghetti
  • 1 cup (100 grams) finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) salt for pasta water
  • Water for boiling pasta and adjusting sauce consistency
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon (15 grams) unsalted butter
  • Optional: splash of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts or 3.8 liters) to a boil; salt should taste like the sea.
  2. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Reserve 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) of starchy pasta water before draining.
  4. Drain pasta quickly without rinsing to keep starch on noodles.
  5. While pasta cooks, toast cracked black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add drained pasta and about 1 cup (240 ml) reserved pasta water to the skillet; toss and stir over medium-low heat.
  7. Off the heat or on very low heat, gradually add half the grated pecorino cheese while stirring constantly to prevent clumping; add more pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  8. Continue adding remaining cheese in small batches, stirring until sauce is silky and smooth without lumps; add more pasta water if needed.
  9. Optionally stir in 1 tablespoon butter or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.
  10. Serve immediately with a fresh crack of black pepper on top.

Notes

Grate cheese finely to avoid clumps. Add cheese gradually off heat or on very low heat while stirring constantly. Use reserved pasta water slowly to create a smooth sauce. Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch for sauce adhesion. Toast black pepper gently to release flavor. If sauce clumps, add more hot pasta water off heat and stir vigorously.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/cacio-e-pepe-recipe-easy-silky-no-clump-sauce-in-15-minutes/