Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta
Cheese
Seasoning
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
Fill a large pot with water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- 2
Cook Spaghetti
Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 9-11 minutes.
- 3
Reserve Pasta Water
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Set aside.
- 4
Drain Pasta
Drain the spaghetti in a colander and do not rinse it. Rinsing will wash away the starch that helps the sauce adhere.
Preparing the Sauce
- 5
Grate Cheese
While the pasta is cooking, finely grate the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese and set aside.
- 6
Toast Black Pepper
In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the black pepper and toast for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not burn.
Combining the Ingredients
- 7
Combine Pasta and Pepper
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the toasted black pepper. Toss well to coat the spaghetti with the pepper.
- 8
Add Cheese and Pasta Water
Gradually add the grated cheeses and a bit of the reserved pasta water (start with 1/2 cup) to the skillet, tossing continuously. The heat from the pasta will melt the cheese and create a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- 9
Serve
Once the sauce is creamy and coats the spaghetti well, remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with more cheese or pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
