Printed at the current scale: 2 servings · Metric · front and back, more cards if it runs long

Cacio e Pepe

2 servings · 4 × 6 in
200 g spaghetti
100 g Pecorino Romano, finely grated, at room temperature
2.5 ml black peppercorns
Pecorino Romano and black pepper, to serve, to taste
salt, for the pasta water, to taste
forklet.co/r/5YmxDBJG?scale=0.5 · v1
  1. Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season it well with salt, for the pasta water. Add the 200 g spaghetti and cook until al dente, usually 8 min to 10 min or as the packet says.
  2. Meanwhile, toast the 2.5 ml black peppercorns in a dry frying pan over high heat, shaking the pan, until fragrant. Tip them into a mortar and crush them coarsely. 1 min to 2 min
  3. When the pasta is ready, scoop out a cupful of the starchy cooking water and set it aside. Drain the spaghetti and let it steam for 30 s.
  4. Put the spaghetti in the frying pan over medium-low heat with a few spoonfuls of the pasta water and toss until every strand is coated. 30 s to 1 min
  5. Take the pan off the heat. Add the 100 g Pecorino Romano and the crushed pepper and stir and toss constantly, adding more hot pasta water a little at a time, until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce. 1 min to 2 min
  6. Serve at once on warm plates, finished with a little extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper, to serve.
Scan for the Full Recipe