Quick and Easy Cacio e Pepe (2024)

Dinner 30 Minutes or Less

Creamy, silky, savory and so, so simple to make, this Quick and Easy Cacio e Pepe is sure to a hit. Perfect for a mid-week meal the whole family will love, it’s filling, flavorful and on the table in less than 30 minutes. Serve with a side Caesar salad and a loaf of crusty bread and buon appetito!

What is Cacio e Pepe?

Cacio e Pepe literally means “cheese and pepper.” It’s a simple but incredibly flavorful pasta dish using Pecorino Romano and fresh ground pepper. Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made with sheep’s milk. It has a strong flavor profile and gives this dish its signature taste and silky texture.

Can I Substitute Parmesan Reggiano for Pecorino Romano in Cacio e Pepe?

Both Parmesan Reggiano and Pecorino Roman are hard, salty cheeses. But there are a few important differences.

Pecorino Romano is a sheep’s milk cheese that has a sharp, tangy, gamy flavor and adds a silky texture to this dish. Fun fact, the name Cacio e Pepe actually comes from the use of Pecorino Romano cheese.

Parmesan Reggiano is milder, sweeter and less tangy and will result in a less deeply flavored dish. It is, however, still delicious. So if you simply don’t like Pecorino Romano or don’t have access to it, Parmesan Reggiano or even Asiago (a semi-hard, cow’s milk cheese with a nutty flavor) are possible substitutes.

More Italian Dinner Night Favorites

• Spaghetti and Meatballs: Homemade baked meatballs and a simple marinara sauce make this Spaghetti and Meatballs an easy, classic Italian dinner they’ll devour!
• Chicken Parmesan: Tender, juicy breaded chicken cutlets under melting cheese and a layer of perfectly simple marinara sauce. Make dinner an event to remember with delicious Homemade Chicken Parmesan.
• Tuscan Tortellini Soup: This Tuscan Tortellini Soup is a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for a chilly winter day. It’s so easy to make and is bursting with delicious Tuscan flavors!
• Ravioli Lasagna: A creamy spinach and ricotta filling between layers of cheese ravioli and an Italian sausage pasta sauce all topped with melting mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. It’s heaven in a casserole dish! Ravioli Lasagna is a hearty, filling, delicious dinner that’s easy to make and everyone loves!
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole: No boiling pasta or breading chicken to make this Chicken Parmesan Casserole. An incredibly easy and funspin on a classic dish.
• Chopped Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine, salty parmesan and a flavorful dressing tossed with crunchy homemade croutons. This Chopped Caesar Salad is an easy, straight-forward recipe that is sure to become your go-to salad.

What Do I Need to Make Easy Cacio e Pepe?

(see recipe card for measurements and details)

• Bucatini or any long pasta
• Unsalted butter
• Whole-milk ricotta
• Pecorino Romano cheese
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Kosher salt
• Large pot

• Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir until the sauce is creamy and thickly coating the pasta. If the sauce is not creamy enough, add additional pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. (I usually usethe full 1 cup of pasta water that I reserve)

• Stir in the 2 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepperand 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Taste and season with more pepper and/or salt, if desired.

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How to Store and Reheat Cacio e Pepe

Store leftover cacio e pepe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, place the pasta in a pan over medium heat and gently stir with tongs until heated through. You can add water to the pasta in the pan if you want the sauce to be creamier. Alternatively, reheat the leftover pasta in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.