Description
This Easy Bucatini Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring bucatini pasta tossed with a creamy sauce made from Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a simple yet flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant Italian-inspired lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces bucatini pasta
- 1 tablespoon sea salt (for pasta water)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, using the sea salt to season the water to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
- Cook the Bucatini: Add the bucatini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Cheese and Pepper Mixture: While the pasta cooks, combine the freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl, mixing well to evenly distribute the pepper.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the cooked bucatini, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, which will be essential to create a silky sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Drain the bucatini and immediately toss it with the cheese and pepper mixture. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, stirring vigorously to emulsify and create a creamy, smooth sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the pasta and add more freshly cracked black pepper or Pecorino Romano cheese if desired. Serve the dish immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese rather than pre-grated for the best melt and flavor.
- Reserve enough pasta water as its starchiness helps emulsify the cheese into a creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately as the sauce tends to thicken and become less creamy when left standing.
- You can adjust the amount of black pepper depending on your preference for spice and aroma.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more pasta water to loosen it up creatively.