How to Make the Tastiest, Creamiest Cacio e Pepe
Instead of the recommended 4 to 5 quarts of water to cook 1 pound of dry pasta, I use 2 quarts (8 cups) of water. Cooking the pasta in less water gives you starchier pasta water. You’ll use some of it to create the sauce. More starch means the sauce will be creamier.Watch your brown butter closely. It can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. If you sense that it will burn, quickly but carefully transfer the butter into a heat-proof bowl to stop it from further browning.Pre-shredded cheese contains drying agents to prevent clumping, which can interfere with it melting well. Grate your own cheese with the smallest holes on a box grater or a microplane for light, fluffy cheese shreds that melt evenly and quickly.
Use Bucatini or Any Long Pasta
Traditionally, a long pasta, like spaghetti, is used to make cacio e pepe. This recipe calls for bucatini, which is similar in length and thickness to spaghetti but has a hole in the middle. Bucatini is great at collecting sauce and getting coated with flavor inside out. You can use spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or any long pasta. And if you’re feeling extra, try making it with fresh pasta—either store-bought or DIY.
Serving Suggestions
A green salad and crusty bread are a no-fuss pairing for brown butter cacio e pepe. You can also serve this as a side (think: rustic mac & cheese) with chicken and roasted broccoli. I like to bring the pepper grinder to the table for anyone who would like a dusting of freshly ground black pepper. For even more flavor, top the cacio e pepe with toasted, chopped walnuts or a sprinkle of finely chopped herbs, such as parsley, basil, or thyme.
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Cook the pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Use a measuring cup or ladle to reserve 2 cups of pasta cooking water. Then, drain the pasta into a colander set in the sink. Transfer leftovers into an airtight storage container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water to help loosen the sauce. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
