Cacio e Pepe

Three ingredients. Infinite technique.

retest scheduled Adapted from Serious Eats / Kenji López-Alt — being retested to the rcpbx spec, one dinner at a time. how we test

Serves: 4
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Ingredients

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Instructions

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  1. Toast pepper in dry skillet until fragrant, .
  2. Cook pasta in less water than usual (3 quarts) to concentrate starch. Reserve 2 cups pasta water.
  3. Add 1½ cups pasta water to bowl with Pecorino. Whisk to form paste.
  4. Drain pasta when very al dente. Add to cheese mixture with pepper.
  5. Toss vigorously, adding pasta water until creamy.
  6. Serve immediately with more Pecorino and pepper.

Notes

  • Less cooking water = starchier = better sauce.
  • Pecorino is essential - don't substitute Parmesan.
  • Work fast and off heat to prevent clumping.

Adapted from Serious Eats / Kenji López-Alt