Pici, Cacio e Pepe

User Reviews

5

2 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    15 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    615 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Pici, Cacio e Pepe

How to make an authentic Cacio e Pepe sauce with just 3 ingredients! Served with Pici pasta, this recipe will give you all the tips you need to make a perfect, silky smooth, creamy and utterly cheesy sauce that you'll want to make again and again!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 lb pici pasta or other long pasta (450g)
  • 2.5 cups Pecorino Romano cheese 200g, DOP
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

  1. Important - there are slightly different instructions depending on if you are using fresh or dried pasta. Dried pasta must be cooked at step 3 and fresh pasta cooked at step 7. This is a very quick recipe, read all instructions before starting.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil (use less pasta water than you normally would so it's extra starchy). Finely grate the pecorino and add it to a small mixing bowl, set aside.
  3. If using dried pasta start boiling it now making sure to undercook it by 2-3 minutes.
  4. Put the freshly ground pepper in a large dry pan on a medium heat, toast the pepper for a few seconds.
  5. After a few seconds add ½ cup (roughly 120ml) of pasta water, let it simmer as the pasta is cooking.
  6. Add a few ladles of pasta water to the pecorino cheese just a little at a time until it has the consistency of loose creamy paste ( a little thicker than heavy cream, it won’t be super smooth).
  7. If using fresh pasta start boiling it now.
  8. When the pasta is about 2 minutes away from being cooked, transfer it to the pan with the pepper using tongs and stir it for about 1 minute to release more starch.
  9. Next, turn the heat down low and add the pecorino mixture. Stir it continuously until a smooth and creamy cheese sauce is created. It will look like it's going to split at first but keep stirring and it'll turn into a smooth and creamy sauce. Once you reach the saucy consistency turn the heat off and keep stirring for 1 more minute to let it thicken. Serve.

Notes

  • Use tongs! - transfer the pasta from the water to the pan with tongs instead of draining the pasta. This will ensure you have just the right amount of water in the pan.
  • Stir, stir, stir! - when the pasta is off of the heat and you add the cheese mixture keep stirring continuously until the creamy cheesy sauce is created (just a minute or 2). It'll go through a stage at the beginning where it looks like it's going to split but don't worry just keep stirring and it comes together.
  • Storage & freezing - cacio e pepe is best served immediately, it won't reheat for freeze well.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 615kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 87g (29%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 52mg (17%) Sodium 607mg (25%) Potassium 303mg (6%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 210IU (4%) Calcium 558mg (56%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 615 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 615kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 87g 29%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 607mg 25%
Potassium 303mg 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 210IU 4%
Calcium 558mg 56%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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