This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla. The opinions and text are all mine
Bring it on team. Cacio e Pepe is on the blog today because it’s my favorite pasta dish of all time AND it’s World Pasta Day so let’s celebrate!
I know I say that a lot. So and so is my favorite… but let me tell you. I order Cacio e Pepe at every single restaurant, at any given moment, no matter the time of day, or country we are in, the answer is always Cacio e Pepe. It’s the most simple dish in the whole wide world, but it requires a little precision and some great ingredients.
Believe it or not, when we went to Italy last year for my birthday I had only had Cacio e Pepe one time. That number quickly multiplied as we were in Italy for two full weeks and not a day went by without Cacio e Pepe in our lunch or dinner order. No shame in my game. While we were in Milan for the Pasta World Championships with Barilla®, you can bet that I sought out the most epic Cacio e Pepe there was to find. It’s my everything. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the dish, it’s spaghetti based with a peppery parmesan sauce that just coats every piece of spaghetti so perfectly. Each bite is absolute perfection and had I been competing in the Pasta World Championship, there is NO doubt in my mind that this is what I would have made! Get into it! xo
Cacio e Pepe
Description:
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 10 ounces Barilla spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed, divided
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1/3 cup finely grated Pecorino
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, and reserve 3/4 cup pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cracked black pepper and cook, swirling pan, until toasted, about 1 minute.
- Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to skillet and bring to a simmer. Add the spaghetti and remaining butter. Reduce heat to low and add Parmesan, stirring and tossing with tongs until melted. Remove pan from heat; add Pecorino, stirring and tossing until cheese melts and the sauce coats the pasta. (Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry.) Serve immediately.
Sign me up for a huge bowl of this. Perfect for this rainy day!
I am so into this! Coco is ready to eat a gigantic bowl!
YES! My favorite, too. So simple and good! Pass me a big bowl, please!
I am all for celebrating with this!!
I’m so glad that you highlighted this dish. It is one of my favorites, one of the easiest to make and I feel like its simplicity may cause some to underestimate the flavor but it really allows the few ingredients to shine. Clearly I’m a devoted fan… it feels appropriate to gush about my favorite on World Pasta Day 🙂
I had never heard of this but it sounds like I’d LOVE it!!!
Just about everyday is pasta day in my book. I think I should live in Italy, but seeing as I can’t do that, I will have to satisfy my cravings with your recipes!
Always a good idea!
So simple & so good!!
[…] The best…CACIO E PEPE […]
Oh my! Not a huge fan of pepper but I trust your recipes so much that I tried it tonight. So yummy. So good! Maybe I need to cook down my pepper more often : )
I made my husband cook me this on the weekend, I usually do all the cooking but wanted a break! It was so good!!
[…] it up alongside any main course like chicken, steak or even pasta! It’s perfect. And if you have leftovers, throw it over some quinoa or rice and put a poached […]
I just made this. Simple, easy, and incredibly delicious! Restaurant quality! Thanks Gaby
What protein would you recommend serving on the side of this! My husband is a meat at every meal guy, so we wanted your suggestion. Thanks!!
either a grilled steak or some chicken!
I’ve made made many different variations of cacio e Pepe and all were good but this one really hit the mark!! Finally the cheese didn’t all clump together! I love it! Thanks Gaby!
SO happy to hear it! xx
I have made a couple of cacio e pepe recipes. This is the best!
MADE MY DAY!! XOXOXO