Italian-inspired · pasta
Classic Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe
Spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper become a glossy Roman pasta with no cream needed.
Total time20 min
Hands-on18 min
Cleanuplow
Serves4
Cook
Make dinner
- 01
Boil the spaghetti in well-salted water until just shy of al dente.
- 02
Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
- 03
Return the warm pot to low heat. Add butter, pepper, pasta, and 1/2 cup pasta water.
- 04
Remove from the heat and toss in the cheese by handfuls, adding pasta water until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
Make it work
Useful swaps
- Parmesan can replace Pecorino for a milder flavor.
- Use small pasta shapes for easier kid servings.
Why this is a good weeknight call
It keeps the cleanup to one main pan. The ingredient list stays focused, and the recipe has a clear stopping point instead of extra optional projects.
