Description
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe is a simple yet flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring bucatini pasta tossed in a creamy, peppery Pecorino Romano cheese sauce. This quick recipe delivers a classic Roman taste with minimal ingredients, perfect for a comforting meal in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 12 oz bucatini pasta
- 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- Salt (for pasta water)
Dairy
- 1 ½ cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra creaminess)
Liquids
- ¾ cup reserved starchy pasta water
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve ¾ cup of the starchy pasta water to use later in the sauce.
- Toast Pepper: In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the freshly ground black pepper for about 1 minute until it becomes aromatic, enhancing its flavor.
- Add Pasta Water: Pour ½ cup of the reserved pasta water into the skillet with the toasted pepper and let it simmer gently to meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta: Reduce the heat to low, add the drained bucatini to the skillet, and toss the pasta to coat it well in the pepper-infused liquid.
- Create Sauce: Gradually sprinkle in the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese while continuously stirring and tossing, allowing the cheese to melt and form a creamy sauce. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Add Butter (Optional): Stir in 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to enrich the sauce and add extra creaminess, if desired.
- Serve: Immediately serve the pasta topped with extra Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper for added flavor and garnish.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it contains starch that helps create the creamy sauce.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust the amount of pasta water to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Adding butter is optional but recommended for a richer sauce.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens and hardens upon standing.
