Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper Pasta)
Description
Made with just 5 ingredients, there's nothing minimalist about the rich and creamy taste of this cacio e pepe pasta dish.
Ingredients
•
2 (16 ounce) packages dried spaghetti
•
3 1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, or more to taste
•
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
•
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
•
salt to taste
Directions
1
Bring a 12-quart pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 2 cups of cooking water.
2
Return pasta and cooking water to the pot over low heat. Add 3 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese, butter, and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted and formed a creamy sauce, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.
3
Serve with additional cheese, if desired.