Cacio e pepe, a traditional Italian pasta dish from Rome, combines the simplicity of a few rustic ingredients – cheese, pepper, and pasta – to create a dish that is both elegant and comforting. This classic recipe, typically made with pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper, takes on a new dimension when enhanced with the vibrant, citrusy flavor of lemon. The addition of lemon adds a refreshing brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a dish that is both indulgent and light. Learn how to make this dish with our step-by-step guide, which will help you create a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CACIO E PEPE WITH LEMON
Cacio e pepe is practically synonymous with Pecorino Romano -- but Pecorino clumps when cooked. Add it at the end, instead, which also makes the most of its sharp flavor. Lemon adds spunk -- that is, acidity and freshness.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than called for in package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Transfer pasta to a 12-inch skillet (preferably nonstick). Add butter and 1/2 cup pasta water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The heat helps the starch in the water meld with the fat from the butter, which prevents the Grana Padano from becoming stringy in the finished dish.
- Reduce heat to low, and mix in Grana Padano and cracked pepper. Grana Padano is softer than Pecorino Romano; it will melt into the buttery water, creating a sauce as the pasta finishes cooking.
- Toss pasta with tongs to thoroughly coat it with sauce. Keep everything at a gentle simmer just until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat, then stir in Pecorino Romano. (Always add Pecorino off direct heat; it clumps when cooked.) Zest lemon over the pasta. Any type of lemon will do, but a Meyer is particularly nice in this dish: It's sweeter in flavor and aroma, with back notes of orange and lime. At this time of year, you'll find Meyer lemons at specialty-food stores and some supermarkets.
- If pasta looks dry, toss it with a bit more pasta water until it has a glossy coating. Divide between 2 warm bowls. Drizzle each with oil and lemon juice, and garnish with more cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
LEMONY CACIO E PEPE
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and drain.
- Add 4 tablespoons of the butter to a large, straight-sided pan and heat over medium. Once melted, add the pepper and toast for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Add in about 1 1/4 cups of the reserved pasta water and the lemon zest, bring to a light simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the cooked spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, toss the pasta and cheese together, incorporating about 1/2 additional cup more pasta water. Keep tossing the pasta until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is silky and coating the pasta, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and chives and toss to combine. Serve immediately, topped with extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper.
LEMONY SALMON & CACIO E PEPE LINGUINE
Cacio e Pepe means salt and pepper in Italian, and usually refers to a simple pasta dish consisting of just Parmesan, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. We're adding tender broccoli, burst tomatoes, and a few other twists to the mix for an unbeatable pasta dinner.
Provided by abovag
Categories Very Low Carbs
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Prep the ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water with a large pinch of salt to a boil. Zest and halve the lemon. Slice one half into rounds for garnish, if desired. Mince or grate the garlic.
- Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes, until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. TIP: To preserve its bright green color, place the broccoli in a bowl of ice water after cooking.
- Cook the pasta: Add the linguine to the boiling water you cooked the broccoli in and cook for 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, reserving ¼ cup pasta water.
- Roast the tomatoes: Toss the tomatoes on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until they burst.
- Cook the salmon: While the tomatoes roast, heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and season on all sides with salt and pepper. Add the salmon to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until just opaque in the middle. Set aside.
- In the same pan, heat 2 Tablespoons butter, the garlic, and chili flakes (to taste, we used 1/4 teaspoon) over medium heat. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Toss the drained pasta, lemon zest, Parmesan, broccoli, burst tomatoes, and ¼ cup pasta water into the pan and toss to combine. Cook, tossing, for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Serve the linguine with the salmon on top and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Garnish with a lemon round, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Use freshly ground black pepper. This will give your cacio e pepe the best flavor.
- Use a good quality Pecorino Romano cheese. This is the traditional cheese used in cacio e pepe, and it has a sharp, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the pasta.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the pasta. This will prevent the pasta from cooking evenly.
- Cook the pasta until it is al dente. This means that it should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it.
- Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This water can be used to help create a creamy sauce.
- Add the cheese and pepper to the pasta while it is still hot. This will help the cheese melt and the pepper to evenly coat the pasta.
- Serve the pasta immediately. Cacio e pepe is best enjoyed when it is fresh and hot.
Conclusion:
Cacio e pepe is a simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give cacio e pepe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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