Fast, Easy, Five-Ingredient Recipe For Cacio e Pepe Pasta

by POPSUGAR Food 7

Since it seems that lately everyone — including Julia Roberts herself! — has been talking about memorable food from the filming of Eat Pray Love, I've got oodles of al dente noodles on the brain, and it reminded me that I've yet to share with you my favorite Italian pasta to make at home.

I like to think of cacio e pepe (Italian for "cheese and pepper") as the Rome's cosmopolitan version of mac and cheese. It's a simple recipe that requires nothing more than spaghetti, cheese, butter, and seasonings. It's ready in a matter of minutes — and always gone even faster than that. For this reason, cacio e pepe is one of the most valued dishes in my weeknight recipe arsenal. Want a plate of this now? Then keep reading.

Adapted from Chow

Cacio e Pepe Pasta

Ingredients

1 pounds dried spaghetti
2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch squares
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
Salt

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
2. Return pasta and cooking water to the pot and place over low heat. Add remaining ingredients and stir until cheese and butter have melted and formed a creamy sauce, about 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and serve immediately with additional cheese.

Makes 4 servings.

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