Cacio e Pepe is touted as the OG Italian mac
‘n cheese. Penne or ziti are OK
substitutes for the less common
trenne pasta.
Makes
2 servings
Total Time
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Ingredients
COOK:
MEANWHILE, HEAT:
OFF HEAT, STIR IN:
Test Kitchen Approved
Instructions
Cook pasta in a pot of boiling
salted water according to package
directions, stopping 1 minute
before stated cook time. Reserve
½ cup of pasta water; drain pasta.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet
over medium-low; add 1–3 tsp.
pepper and cook until lightly
toasted and fragrant, about
3 minutes. Add ¼ cup pasta
water; cook until bubbling
subsides and water is reduced by
half, 30 seconds.
Off heat, add butter; cook until
melted. Add pasta; toss to coat and
cook until heated through.
Off heat, stir in 3 Tbsp. Pecorino
until melted, adding more pasta
water, 1–2 Tbsp. at a time, until
sauce reaches a creamy
consistency. Top servings with
additional pepper and remaining
1 Tbsp. Pecorino.
Test Kitchen Approved
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 379
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 27%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 281mg 11%
% Daily Value*
Carbs 42g 14%
Protein 11g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
