Cacio e Pepe
Servings: 4 · Prep: 10 min · Cook: 12 min · Total: 22 min
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 4 ounces BelGioioso Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 quarts water
Equipment
Large pot; Large skillet; Tongs; Fine grater; Heatproof measuring cup; Mortar and pestle; large pot; large skillet; tongs; fine grater; heatproof measuring cup; mortar and pestle
Steps
- Prepare cheese and pepper. Finely grate the BelGioioso Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese and coarsely crush the black peppercorns.
- 4 ounces parmesan cheese — finely grated
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns — coarsely crushed
- Boil the pasta. Bring the water and kosher salt to a rolling boil in a large pot, add the spaghetti, and cook until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions.
- 3 quarts Water
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Use caution around the rolling boil and steam when adding pasta.
- Toast the pepper. While the pasta cooks, toast the crushed pepper in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns — coarsely crushed
- Reserve pasta water and transfer pasta. Reserve 1 1/2 cups starchy pasta water, then transfer the spaghetti to the skillet and add 1 cup pasta water.
Keep your face and hands away from steam when reserving hot pasta water.
- Finish cooking the pasta. Toss the spaghetti over medium heat until glossy and nearly tender, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Use tongs carefully when tossing hot pasta.
- Emulsify the cheese sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat, let bubbling stop, then add the cheese gradually while tossing constantly and adding small splashes of pasta water until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- 4 ounces parmesan cheese — finely grated
Remove the skillet from the heat before adding cheese to reduce splattering and prevent clumping.
- Serve. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and saucy.
Notes
The sauce is made with starchy pasta water, not cream.
Add the cheese off the heat and gradually to help prevent clumping.
Cook the spaghetti very al dente before finishing it in the skillet.
Serving suggestions
Serve immediately while hot and saucy.
Pair with a simple green salad for a fuller meal.
Cooking safety
Use tongs carefully when handling hot pasta and boiling water.
Keep your face and hands away from steam when reserving pasta water.
Remove the skillet from the heat before adding cheese to reduce splattering and prevent clumping.
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