You’re going to love my Cacio e Pepe Recipe! It only takes five ingredients to make this deliciously cheesy, creamy, classic Italian pasta dish. And the best part is it only takes 10 minutes to prepare, making the perfect easy recipe for a weeknight meal.
Using a combination of two classic Italian cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano cheese, is the classic way to make this dish. But in all honesty, I prefer to use all Romano cheese.
I would make it with both types of cheese the first time you try this dish and decide for yourself.
The sharp flavors of the salty cheese blended with butter, black pepper, and starchy pasta water blend into a creamy, simple sauce that will tantalize your taste buds! You can serve it all on its own or with a side of garlic bread, a simple salad, or a glass of dry white wine.
This isn’t a dish you often find on restaurant menus, but I’m sure it will become your go-to pasta recipe at home — it’s amazingly delicious and easy to make.
What Ingredients do I need to make Cacio e Pepe?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make for my Authentic Cacio e Pepe Recipe. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Note that for the freshest, sharp flavor, it’s preferable to grate your cheese off the block rather than using store-bought pre-grated cheese.
- Parmigiano Reggiano (be sure to get this variety and not simply “parmesan cheese”)
- Pecorino Romano Cheese
- Black Pepper
- Unsalted butter
- Bucatini Pasta (you can use other pasta shapes, but using a long noodle will keep the dish closest to the traditional recipe)
I used chopped Italian parsley as a garnish to add some color to the dish, but that’s an optional ingredient. Please take note that there is no olive oil or heavy cream used in making this dish.
What is Cacio e Pepe?
Cacio e Pepe (pronounced cach-io eh pepe) is a Classic Roman pasta dish that literally translates to “cheese and pepper.” The simple dish consists of bucatini (or spaghetti), black pepper, butter, Romano cheese, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
How to make Cacio e Pepe
- Fill a large pot with water over high heat, adding one teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Cook the pasta, per instructions on the package for al dente pasta.
- While the pasta water is boiling, add the butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat to melt the butter.
- When the butter has fully melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the black pepper to the butter.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. You shouldn’t need all the water, but having more reserved pasta water than you need is okay.
- Place the drained cooked pasta into the large skillet over low heat.
- Add ½ cup of the pasta water along with the Romano cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano to the pasta and toss until the cheese melts and creates a creamy sauce.
- Then, add an additional splash of water if the mixture isn’t creamy.
Be careful not to take too long to mix the pasta together as the cheese will start to get gooey instead of creamy.
When it comes to Italian pasta dishes, this simple recipe is one of my favorites. Cacio e Pepe, with its buttery, cheesy, creamy pepper sauce will soon become a family favorite!
Recipe FAQ’s
For cheese to be classified as Parmigiano Reggiano, it must come from particular regions of Italy and contain only approved ingredients. Parmigiano Reggiano is also aged longer (1-3 years). Parmesan is not regulated and may be aged as little as 10 months.
Although Cacio e Pepe will be at its best when served immediately, you can reheat it. Leftover cacio e pepe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days once it has cooled to room temperature. Take note that the sauce will thicken in the fridge, and you will need to add a splash or two of water to the pan as you reheat the pasta.
Cacio e Pepe is peppery, so it is slightly spicy, so it does have a little kick, but it is not overpowering. You can adjust the amount of pepper to your own taste preference.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
Authentic Cacio e Pepe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bucatini
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
- ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 cup water from cooking pasta reserve cooking water when draining pasta
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water over high heat, adding one teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- While the pasta water is boiling, add the butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat to melt the butter.
- When the butter has fully melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the black pepper to the butter.
- Cook the pasta, per instructions on the package for al dente pasta.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. You shouldn't need all the water, but having more than you need is okay.
- Place the drained cooked pasta into the large skillet over low heat.
- Add ½ cup of the pasta water along with the Romano cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano to the pasta and toss until the cheese melts and creates a creamy sauce.At this point add additional water if the mixture isn't creamy. Be careful not to take too long to mix the pasta together as the cheese will start to get gooey instead of creamy.
- Serve the pasta with additional grated cheese and black pepper. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley.
Elizabeth Geisel
So good! And so much easier than other caico e Pepe recipes! Well worth it to make this over going crazy for nothing extra special, seriously…this is perfect
Hayley Dhanecha
This looks amazing! I cannot wait to get cooking, looks so easy and simple recipe.
Tristin
This was a quick and easy weeknight dinner! It tasted great for being so simple!
Amy
Absolutely delicious! I love easy recipes like this that don’t taste like they were easy to make. Using the pasta water along with the 2 kinds of cheese made for such a creamy pasta dish. I’ll be making this one again often.
Kristina
This is one my family’s favorite recipes- it’s so simple and even with just a few ingredients it’s absolutely amazing. My go to recipe when I want a fuss-free dinner without complaints! I do use a little less pepper because of my picky kiddos, but add extra to my bowl when serving (hack for any other moms with picky eaters!).
Linda
Cheesy buttery sauce over pasta! What more could I want? This was simple, delicious and so easy to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Sharon
It doesn’t get easier or tastier than this classic cacio e pepe dish. It was the perfect choice for a nice and easy dinner last night.
Uma
I love easy, fun, and quick pasta recipes for dinner. Now that school started, my kids need filling and easy pasta. Thanks for this recipe, we really loved it!
Healing Tomato
I just love a simple pasta dinner that is big on flavors. Your recipe reminded me of what my friend’s Italian mother used to make. This pasta is going to be our family dinner frequently.
veenaazmanov
Easy, cheesy, flavorful and buttery. Thanks for such a quick, delicous and Happy Meal recipe.
Anna
This was incredibly easy to prepare and the taste is fantastic. Great dish to serve any day of the week, especially if you are short on time or don’t fancy spending ages in the kitchen!
Billy
I found your tiramisu recipe a couple of years ago, so glad to get current with you now! I’ve had a similar dish at a local restaurant here in Texas called buttered noodles so I’m very excited to find this recipe! They often did serve it overdone and gooey. This will be a favorite for sure!
Larry
Looks good chef
Chef Dennis Littley
thanks Larry!