Jul 13 2026
RestaurantsMike's Italian KitchenSide Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Side Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Time20m
Serves2

Make Side Cacio E Pepe Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Cheese and Pepper

Finishing Touches

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use roughly 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 liters of water.

  2. 2

    Cook Spaghetti

    Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

    Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.

Making the Sauce

  1. 4

    Toast Pepper

    In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the freshly cracked black pepper and toast for about 1 minute until fragrant.

  2. 5

    Combine Pasta and Pepper

    Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the toasted pepper and toss to coat the pasta evenly.

  3. 6

    Create Sauce

    Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, while tossing the pasta to create a creamy sauce.

  4. 7

    Add Cheese

    Add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese and continue to toss until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. If necessary, add more pasta water to reach the desired consistency.

Finishing Touches

  1. 8

    Final Touch

    Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and toss once more to combine before serving.

  2. 9

    Serve

    Serve immediately, garnished with additional Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper if desired.

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