Simple, Classic Bucatini Cacio E Pepe Recipe

Gather the ingredients for this simple, classic bucatini cacio e pepe recipe

This recipe requires just five ingredients, and you probably already have some of them in your kitchen. Before you begin, take a look for kosher salt, black peppercorns, bucatini pasta, butter, and pecorino Romano cheese.

Step 1: Bring salted water to a boil

Pour water and salt into a large pot and heat until it boils.

Step 2: Toast the peppercorns

In the meantime, add peppercorns to a small saucepan and heat over medium. Gently swirl the peppercorns in the pan until they are lightly toasted and aromatic, which should take about 1 minute.

Step 3: Crush the peppercorns

Using a mortar and pestle, grind the peppercorns. Put them aside.

Step 4: Place the pasta in the water and cook it partially

Place the bucatini in the boiling water and cook for about 6 minutes, or until it is halfway cooked.

Step 5: Set aside the pasta water and drain the pasta

Save some of the pasta cooking water before draining the bucatini. Put both aside.

Step 6: Melt butter in a pan

In a big pot, melt the butter.

Step 7: Sprinkle in the pepper

Incorporate 1 tablespoon of crushed black pepper and mix well.

Step 8: Pour in some pasta water

Pour a generous ladleful of pasta water into the pan and heat until it simmers.

Step 9: Add the pasta to the pan

Incorporate the bucatini into the pan and toss it with tongs. Cook until it reaches an al dente texture, adding more pasta water as needed, for approximately 3 minutes.

Step 10: Stir in the cheese

Incorporate the pecorino and stir until it is completely melted and blended into the sauce.

Step 11: Serve the pasta

Serve right away with additional pecorino and pepper, if you like.

What pairs well with bucatini cacio e pepe?

While heartier pasta dishes like fettuccine alfredo, lasagna, or baked ziti are typically served as main courses, bucatini cacio e pepe can serve just as effectively as a side dish as it does as the star of the meal. However, its richness should not be underestimated when choosing complementary dishes — the combination of butter and cheese makes it a substantial side.

For this reason, De Witt recommends pairing cacio e pepe with lighter fare, such as "grilled fish and a vibrant green salad accompanied by some crusty bread." Classic grilled fish options could include orange roughy or grilled cod, and you can elevate a standard green salad by opting for a green bean and tomato panzanella. When it comes to crusty breads, the possibilities are endless. If you're interested in baking your own, consider starting with Italian, French, or focaccia loaves.

Can any ingredient substitutions be made in this classic bucatini cacio e pepe recipe?

The key to simple recipes with few ingredients is that the quality of each component significantly impacts the final outcome. Therefore, it's advisable to adhere closely to the recipe for optimal results. However, De Witt notes that among the five ingredients in this cacio e pepe, the pasta is the one you can swap out if necessary. "I prefer bucatini, a thicker pasta with a hollow center that helps it hold more of the cheesy sauce. If you only have fettuccine or spaghetti available, those will work just fine as substitutes."

De Witt emphasizes that two elements where you shouldn't compromise are the flavor enhancers: cheese and pepper. "Pecorino Romano is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its grainy texture makes it ideal for grating. I recommend using a high-quality pecorino for this dish," she advises. While you might be tempted to grab your pepper shaker to skip the steps of toasting and crushing fresh peppercorns, it's better to follow the recipe. "Toasting the peppercorns before crushing them enhances the flavor. The oils in the peppercorns are released, resulting in a smokier and spicier taste. I prefer using a mortar and pestle to crush the peppercorns for better control over the coarseness, but a pepper mill works well too," De Witt explains.