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Quick and Easy Cacio e Pepe
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Quick and Easy Cacio e Pepe

Author: Marinka
This quick and easy cacio e pepe is so simple, that you can make it in less than 20 minutes; and be very happy with the result. This recipe is foolproof and only requires 3 ingredients; actually 4 ingredients if you count the water as one.
Prep Time9 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
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Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces pasta buccatini, spaghetti
  • 2 ounces Pecorino Romano finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

  • Cook your pasta in boiling water according to directions on the packaging or until your desired tenderness.
  • Transfer cheese and pepper to a grinder or a food processor. Grind the 2 ingredients even finer than they are and add a tiny bit of cold water. Grind again until you have a paste, something like thick peanut butter, or cream cheese; a paste that will keep its form. (NOTE 1 and 2)
  • Once your pasta is cooked, scoop out a cup of hot pasta water and set this aside, you will need that for the next step. Then drain the pasta in a colander and transfer pasts to a bowl.
  • Transfer some of the cheese/pepper paste onto the pasta and start stirring/mixing while adding some of the hot pasta water. Stir, mix, whatever it takes to 'dissolve' the pasta without damaging the pasta.
  • Add more paste and pasta water until you have the desired combination of 'sauce' and pasta. (NOTE 3)
  • Once the paste is 'dissolved' and clinging to the pasta, serve immediately. (NOTE 4)
  • Sprinkle with grated cheese and pepper if you like.

Notes

  1. The amount of pepper you want to use for this recipe is very much up to you. It all depends on how much pepper you prefer. A teaspoon in this recipe for 2 is generating a nice peppery flavor, but is not too strong/spicy.
  2. Add the cold water in small portions; you can easily add too much, ending up with a watery paste.
  3. When you start mixing paste and pasta, be cautious when adding the hot pasta water. The same rule as in the beginning of this recipe, add a little bit at a time, you can never take water out, but adding a little more is always an option.
  4. Make sure you warm you dishes before you serve the pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 344mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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