Who says cheesy pasta is just for kids? This Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper pasta) is a grown-up, sophisticated, cheesy pasta and the perfect date night meal in (because sometimes going out to crowded restaurants on the weekend is overrated). Light a candle, put on some Italian music, pour a glass of wine, and make pasta instead!
Ingredients:
-Bucatini pasta
-Pecorino cheese
-salt and pepper
*Note: We made pasta for two. The amount of pasta and cheese you use is up to you! We used about 2/3 of a box of bucatini pasta, and about 1/2 a block of pecorino cheese.
Directions:
Boil water in a large pot
Cook pasta according to package directions or until it is done the way you like it!
While pasta cooks, grate cheese in a skillet next to the pasta pot on your stove (do not turn on heat). Add some freshly cracked pepper to your grated cheese.
Once pasta is done, add pasta to cheese skillet (no need to drain the pasta, just scoop it out of the water). In addition, add a little pasta water to the cheese.
Combine pasta and cheese with two forks until cheese is melted and pasta is creamy.
Serve immediately, and add a little extra grated cheese and freshly cracked pepper on top!
*Note: A slightly different method is to add the pasta water to the cheese/pepper mixture FIRST and combine to make a cheese “sauce” and then add the pasta last. Whichever method you use is up to you!
*Note: This pairs great with a glass of pinot grigio or cabernet sauvignon!