Super Creamy Cacio e Pepe Style Pasta Recipe
A protein packed creamy cacio e pepe style sauce perfect when you’re in the mood for mac and cheese, but trying to adult too.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta
Servings: 2
Calories: 545kcal
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3 oz finely grated pecorino about 1.5 cups
- 1/4 cup pasta water more if needed
- 6 oz pasta I used homemade garganelli
In a skillet, melt the butter and add the pepper, letting the pepper infuse the butter as it melts. Stir in the flour and cook for about three minutes, until completely smooth and incorporated.
Pour in the milk in a thin stream while whisking. It might start out lumpy, but keep whisking and it will smooth out into a thick paste. Stir in the pecorino in batches, and remove from the heat. The sauce will be very thick.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according the packaging or until it is al dente.
Take 1/4 cup of the hot starchy pasta water and stir it into the cacio e pepe sauce, whisking over medium low heat until smooth and glossy. Add the drained pasta, stirring in extra pasta water as needed until the sauce coats the pasta. Enjoy with extra pepper and crushed red peppers, if desired.
Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 22.8g | Fat: 19.6g | Saturated Fat: 14.8g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 3.1g | Sugar: 3.3g