Creamy Pasta Cacio e Pepe on the Stove

Ingredients

- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti or your favorite type)
- 1 ½ cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil on the stove.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.

2. Reserve Pasta Water:
- Before draining the pasta, carefully ladle out 1½ cups of the starchy pasta cooking water and set aside.
- Drain the pasta using a colander but do not rinse it, as the starch will help the sauce bind.

3. Start the Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and unsalted butter.
- Allow the butter to melt completely while swirling the skillet to combine it with the olive oil.

4. Add Black Pepper:
- Stir in the freshly ground black pepper. Toast the pepper in the butter and oil for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes aromatic.

5. Combine Cheese and Pasta:
- Reduce the skillet heat to low.
- Gradually add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the skillet, stirring constantly.
- Slowly add reserved pasta water, about ½ cup at a time, stirring to create a smooth, creamy sauce.

6. Finish the Dish:
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce.
- Gently toss the pasta using tongs to evenly coat with the cheese and pepper sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add more of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

7. Serve:
- Once the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce, transfer to serving plates.
- Optionally, sprinkle additional Pecorino Romano and black pepper on top for garnish.

Total Time

PT20M
20 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pasta recipe, Cacio e Pepe, Italian dinner, Stove cooking, Easy pasta, Pecorino Romano, Black pepper pasta, Quick dinner, Traditional Italian, Homemade pasta

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total calories: 2,200

#PastaLovers #CacioePepe #ItalianDining #StoveCooking #QuickRecipes