Cacio e Pepe is a simple Roman pasta dish that is easy to make and tastes absolutely heavenly. This cheesy peppery Italian pasta is a favorite for a reason.
We traveled to Rome to seek out the best recipe for Cacio e Pepe and have now brought it back to share with the masses. This recipe is as authentic as it comes, and is the perfect version of cacio e pepe to make at home. Don’t let its simplicity fool you, this pasta is absolutely delicious!
The translation of Cacio e Pepe literally means cheese and pepper. This pasta dish is incredibly simple, but packs a lot of rich flavor with pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground pepper. It has a very rich and strong flavor due to the Pecorino Romano sharp cheese as well as the heavy amount of pepper. Warning: some might find this dish spicy.
Cheese Options:
This is a classic Roman dish, so you should use a hard cheese from the Roma region of Italy for the most authentic flavor. Pecorino Romano is the traditional choice. If you do not have Pecorino Romano available to you, grated Parmesan is an acceptable substitute, though not an authentic choice as it comes from the Parma region of Italy.
Pasta Options:
The traditional choice of pasta for Cacio e Pepe is tonnarelli pasta, a thick round long pasta similar to a thick spaghetti or bucatini. Since these are both similar in shape, they both make acceptable substitutes where tonnarelli is not available.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove over medium low heat until warmed through with a scant amount of water to keep it from sticking together.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other pasta recipes:
FAQs
But it is extremely hard to execute well because you need to control the heat. The cheese will become stringy if you heat up your pan too much (above 70 °C or 158 °F). I tested all the methods, so you do not need to! Cacio e Pepe is rare in restaurants because it is hard to serve warm without the corn starch trick.
Can I use parmesan instead of pecorino for cacio e pepe? ›
Opt for Parmesan: You can use Parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano, or even combine the two for a unique cheese profile. However, Parmesan isn't as salty or tangy as Pecorino Romano, so you may need to add more to get the sharpness that cacio e pepe is known for.
How to not break cacio e pepe sauce? ›
The trick is to toss the cheese with starch before heating it. As the starch heats up and gels, it stabilizes the cheese so it won't break. I tried the method for this Cacio e Pepe, which makes for a durable sauce that doesn't break even after raising the temperature until the sauce boils (usually a mortal sin).
What is the secret to the creamiest cacio e pepe? ›
Tips for Making Cacio e Pepe
Let the pasta cool slightly—Ripping hot pasta plus finely shredded or grated cheese inevitably yields a clumpy sauce. Letting the pasta cool for 2 minutes before tossing ensures a perfectly creamy sauce.
Where did Anthony Bourdain have cacio e pepe? ›
In one infamous episode of No Reservations, Bourdain visited a secret restaurant (later revealed to be Ristorante Roma Sparita) where he enjoyed a cacio e pepe so delicious, he listed a handful of life experiences he would sacrifice in order to eat it again (namely, a Jefferson Airplane concert, some acid trips, ...
What pasta shape is best for cacio e pepe? ›
Spaghetti is the traditional pasta for cacio e pepe, but even Roman establishments now use popular shapes such as rigatoni, bucatini, and thick, square-cut noodles called tonnarelli. Use a good quality brand that cooks evenly and retains its al dente bite.
What makes cacio e pepe so good? ›
The internet loves an only-three-ingredient recipe. This (which makes Cacio e Pepe deceptively simple) and the cheese + carbs combination are essential parts of the secret of its media success, along with the fact that it can be made anywhere in the world with any pepper and any cheese.
Why does cacio e pepe split? ›
One factor in getting the cheese to emulsify properly which is usually where cacio e pepe fails is the amount of starch in the water.
Why does my cacio e pepe always clump? ›
That said, as simple as the cacio e pepe ingredient list may be, this dish is famously finicky when it comes to technique. If the cheese is overheated or the starchy pasta water isn't emulsified properly, the sauce can turn into a sticky, clumpy mess, which I can vouch from experience is always such a tragedy.
What is the best protein to eat with cacio e pepe? ›
Beef tenderloin, grilled or roasted to perfection, adds a touch of luxury to your Cacio e Pepe meal. The beef's robust, savory flavor complements the creamy pasta, and its tender, juicy texture offers a satisfying contrast to the al dente pasta.
- Add a little more pasta water than you think you need (the pasta will continue to soak it up and the sauce will thicken on your plate).
Is Grana Padano good for cacio e pepe? ›
Classic versions call for just pasta, salted water, freshly ground pepper, and Pecorino Romano, a Roman sheep's milk cheese. Ours tosses a bit of Grana Padano or Parmesan into the mix for a more rounded cheese flavor that melds warmth, nuttiness, and sharpness.
Is carbonara similar to cacio e pepe? ›
Carbonara is the evolution of a dish once called 'cacio e uova' (cheese and eggs), more commonly known in the south of Italy. Carbonara – more Roman than the Colloseum! Another very similar traditional Roman dish, cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper), was born from the lack of eggs to make Carbonara.
What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's cacio e pepe? ›
Ingredients. Water, pecorino romano cheese (sheep's milk, sea salt, animal rennet), sunflower seed oil, modified cornstarch, ground black pepper, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, sea salt.
How do you use jarred Cacio e Pepe sauce? ›
Directions: Shake before opening. Heat and serve with pasta, meats or seafood. Heat sauce on stovetop or microwave.
How to keep Parmesan from clumping in Cacio e Pepe? ›
Starch in the pasta water is what allows the sauce to mix with the cheese and pepper to become a hom*ogenous pasta sauce. So if you add too much water to the pasta, it thins out the starch in the water and won't allow the sauce to create an emulsion. That's why a Reddit post suggests using as little water as possible.
What pairs best with Cacio e Pepe? ›
Look no further than Chianti Classico for a classic red pairing. While most people associate this wine with flavorful meats like Florentine steak, the sharpness of the cacio e pepe holds its own and makes Chianti an unexpected accompaniment.
What can I use instead of pecorino in Cacio e Pepe? ›
Cacio e Pepe Variations
Pecorino Romano is a hard, Italian sheep's milk cheese. It has sharp, rich nutty flavor, making it the perfect cheese for this simple pasta dish. If you don't have it or can't find it Parmigiano-Reggiano is a totally acceptable alternative.
Why does my cacio e pepe clump? ›
That said, as simple as the cacio e pepe ingredient list may be, this dish is famously finicky when it comes to technique. If the cheese is overheated or the starchy pasta water isn't emulsified properly, the sauce can turn into a sticky, clumpy mess, which I can vouch from experience is always such a tragedy.
How is cacio e pepe supposed to taste? ›
The translation of Cacio e Pepe literally means cheese and pepper. This pasta dish is incredibly simple, but packs a lot of rich flavor with pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground pepper. It has a very rich and strong flavor due to the Pecorino Romano sharp cheese as well as the heavy amount of pepper.
But what makes cacio e pepe so special, you might ask? It's all in the technique. The key to a perfect cacio e pepe is getting the right consistency for the sauce. It should be creamy and smooth, but not too thick - the cheese and pepper should coat the pasta, but not clump together.
