Fusilli Cacio E Pepe. Literal translation : Corkscrew shaped pasta with Cheese and Black Pepper. Enough said.
With a sauce made from just three ingredients – finely grated hard Italian cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and a small measure of cooking liquid, the secret to this traditional Roman dish is in the sauce. Who could have imagined that cheese, pepper and pasta water would create one of the most flavorful experiences in the enduring repertoire of Italian recipes?
This is Italian mac-n-cheese at its finest.
Though typically made using spaghetti and Pecorino Romano, I took a few liberties. First, I put a curly spin on it…more corners to collect cheese and pepper. Ya know what I’m sayin’?
And although Pecorino Romano is a favorite of mine, Parmigiano Reggiano ties for first in the best-loved hard cheese category (also, my crisper is busting at the seams with it), so Parmigiano, it was!
When preparing the cacio e pepe, I recommend that you have your cheese and pepper grated and ground and ready to go before draining the pasta. Once the fusilli is cooked to al dente, reserve two cups of cooking liquid, then drain the pasta quickly and add to a *warm pasta bowl. (*This is achieved by filling the ceramic or glass bowl that you’ll use for your pasta, with hot water, then just before the pasta is finished cooking, drain the bowl but do not dry it.)
Once the pasta is nestled in its cozy vessel, sprinkle your cheese, pepper and two-thirds cup cooking liquid over it and toss. If the fusilli seems a little dry, add more cooking liquid.
Divide the pasta among four bowls, sprinkle with more cheese, and watch the magic happen.
I promise you, you’ll never miss the butter and cream that you’re accustomed to seeing in gooey mac-n-cheese dishes. Besides, butter and cream deserve a day off every once in a while, too. And because they recognize this, the cheese and cooking liquid, good friends of butter and cream, are like, “We got you…you guys deserve a day off…go relax, just not in the sun.”
And you’ll feel like you have a day off when you experience the ease and simplicity of this historic delicious dish. But unlike the butter and cream – you can relax in the sun.
Buon Appetito!
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Fusilli Cacio E Pepe
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fusilli
- 2 cups cooking liquid (water the pasta was cooked in)
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus extra for serving
- 2 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook fusilli according to package directions until al dente.
- Fill a large serving bowl with hot water to warm the bowl.
- Just before pasta is finished cooking, drain the bowl but do not dry.
- Reserve 2 cups cooking liquid, then drain the pasta quickly and add to the warm bowl.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheese, ground pepper and 2/3 cup cooking liquid over fusilli and toss.
- If pasta seems dry, toss in more cooking liquid.
- Divide pasta among 4 bowls then sprinkle each with more grated cheese.
- Serve immediately with additional cheese for more sprinkling.
Forgot to pin?
CIAO!
Pasta night at your house? We’re on! It’s a date! You make it look so easy and fresh and amazing. I need to take some Italian cooking lessons from you, my friend!
Yaaaas! Pasta night at our house! And class! Now, wouldn’t that be fun! 🙂
Looks awesome! Love that you used fusilli here! Thanks for the warm bowl tip! Pinning!
Why thank you, friend! And thanks for the pin! 🙂
I could probably live off of pasta and be completely happy! This dish looks so perfect, Annie. I love all of that gooey cheese!
You and me both! The older I get the more I love my pasta! Thanks, Danielle!
This is one of those dishes that sounds so simple, but is SO delicious. And it’s super pretty, too 🙂
And aren’t those the best kinds of dishes? Thanks, friend!
Cacio e pepe is one of my very favorite pasta dishes! I just may have to make a big bowl of this tonight – and my husband is traveling so it would be all me baby! The fusilli you used is so long an beautiful! I can’t help but think about ‘fusilli Jerry’ anytime I hear ‘fusilli’ (if you’re a Seinfeld fan) 😉
I know…I was hearing Kramer the entire time! So, your very own (big) bowl of cacio e pepe sounds like a perfect evening to me! Thanks, Kathleen!
I have got to try this! I have a big hung of parmesan and I just bought fusilli! Such a simple recipe and so delicious 🙂 Pinning!
Yay! I’d love to know how you like it! Thanks, Medha!! 🙂
I could eat that whole bowl up in seconds right now, but… if I did have any leftovers I would love this for breakfast with an over easy egg on top! I think Parmesan is my favorite too, even through Pecorino Romano is so delicious. Sometimes I do a mix of the 2 in my pasta dishes, I’m not sure whether or not that’s very authentic, but it’s definitely tasty!
Oh my….I’m suddenly wishing I had leftovers! Adding the egg sounds divine! The cheese though – so much cheese – so little time! Thanks, friend!!
This is comfort food at its finest, Annie – simple, delicious and oh so good. I’d eat the whole bowl!
We still need comfort in the summer, right?! Thank you, my dear! 🙂
I already ate pasta today, but you have me craving this cacio e pepe. I just want to dive into that bowl of fusilli! Beautiful photos and lovely writing, Annie. I always leave here with a smile on my face.
You are very kind for saying that! Yeah – this is a dish that’s hard to resist – even if we’re full! 😉 Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Oh this looks sooooo good–so simple but so yummy. I’ve eaten cacio e pepe before but never made it myself; I’ll have to try now!
It’s too simple not to! Thank you, my friend! Enjoy!
I really shouldn’t be reading this post — seriously!! I am so hungry right now I could eat the monitor. Your pasta with the stretchy cheese looks so so good. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the very best! You’ve planted the seed in my mind and now I won’t rest until I make some — I could eat the whole pot. Thank you!! I think 😉
Marisa! You need to put the pot on now and make yourself this pasta! I know you have everything you need! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
This is something my daughter loves a lot. EASY, SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS. 🙂
That’s what it’s all about!! Your daughter has good taste! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to post spaghetti cacio e pepe from some time now, they’re part of my Roman background, you know 😉 , but haven’t yet. I love your version with that beautiful curly and curvy pasta and parmigiano in place of pecorino. It looks incredibly yummy. Would love a plate right now, since it’s almost lunch time 🙂 . Your pictures are mouthwatering good, as always!
This is one of my all-time favorites! Can’t wait to see your recipe, my friend!! Thank you! 🙂
Whoa, girlfriend! Who would have ever thought such deliciousness could come from such simple ingredients. I almost passed out over that close-up photo of the cheese!
Brilliant, right? I believe it was first conceived in the 13th century! Oh yes – I know – that cheese! Thanks, girlfriend!
This pasta looks amazing, Annie! Love the CCB touches you put on this dish! I seriously can’t believe something so delicious is only 3 ingredients (well, plus pasta water – but that doesn’t count!)! Simple dishes that burst with flavor are the best! Pinned! Cheers, dear friend! xo
After so much BBQ I just needed a dish of pasta…do you ever feel like that? This completely hit the spot! Thank you, my friend! xo
This looks so much better than regular old macaroni and cheese. This is cheesy heaven!
Oh yeahhhh! I’m sure you’ll find that to be true! It’s delish!! Thanks, friend!
OMGeeeee… I’ve made Cacio e Pepe a few times, but have since forgotten about it. I could totally faceplant into this carby bowl… I’ve total heart eyes for this , Annie! And pecorino.. sheesh! My favorite! .. next would be Parm. But I’d take either in this deliciousness!
Yep – I’m with you! They’re both wonderful cheeses….you really can’t miss! Thanks, Traci!!
Simplicity at its finest! I really love pasta with just a touch of cheese….okay…maybe more than a touch 🙂 This looks great!
I know…I can go a little crazy where cheese is concerned! But it’s soooo good! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Sometimes the simplest of recipes are the best! Especially with an easy classic like this…I wish I could dive right into this bowl for breakfast! Sounds just perfect for the cheese and pepper! Pinned!
I couldn’t agree more…sometimes simple is the best!! Hey, a nice bowl of this could give you the energy you need to finish unpacking! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Such a classic, Annie, and for good reason!! Love recipes like this! And look at all that gooey cheese & that adorable (yes, adorable) pasta…… totally wishing I had this in front of me right now. Pinning, of course 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
I totally agree with you on the ‘adorable pasta’…it reminds me of my girls’ curly locks! Thanks so much, my friend!