Cacio e Pepe — Properly — recipe by cecilia
Medium
Public

Cacio e Pepe — Properly

by cecilia • 1985

Why some badges are missing
  • Not vegan: Pecorino Romano, finely grated (usually made with animal rennet) → try vegan parmesan-style cheese (or nutritional yeast)
  • Not vegetarian: Pecorino Romano, finely grated (usually made with animal rennet) → try vegetarian hard cheese (Italian-style, made without animal rennet)
  • Not gluten-free: Tonnarelli or spaghetti → try gluten-free pasta
  • Not dairy-free: Pecorino Romano, finely grated → try vegan parmesan-style cheese (or nutritional yeast)
  • Not low-FODMAP: Tonnarelli or spaghetti → try gluten-free pasta
  • Not low-histamine: Pecorino Romano, finely grated
  • Not kidney-friendly: Sea salt, for pasta water → try salt-free herb seasoning (or lemon zest and black pepper)

Based on listed ingredients — always check labels for allergies.

Prep

5m

Cook

12m

Serves

2

Rating

—

Total time · 17m

Ingredients

Kitchen Help

Shopping list

  • 200 g Tonnarelli or spaghetti

  • 80 g Pecorino Romano, finely grated

  • 2 tsp Black peppercorns, coarsely cracked

  • 1 tbsp Sea salt, for pasta water

Instructions

Step by step

  1. 1

    Toast the pepper in a dry wide pan for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  2. 2

    Boil the pasta in well-salted water until shy of al dente. Reserve a mug of starchy water.

  3. 3

    Splash a ladle of pasta water into the pan with the pepper; bring to a simmer.

  4. 4

    Off the heat, in a separate bowl, mix the pecorino with a small splash of cool pasta water to form a paste.

  5. 5

    Drain the pasta straight into the pepper pan, toss for 30 seconds, then off the heat, vigorously stir in the cheese paste until it emulsifies. Add more water as needed.

  6. 6

    Serve immediately. Eat standing up if you must.

Per serving

serves 2
Calories
669kcal
Protein
27g
Carbs
92.5g
Fat
24g
Fibre
3.5g
Sugar
1g
Sodium
1,040mg

AI estimate only — not medical advice. Figures are approximations based on standard ingredient data and may vary by brand, portion size and preparation. Always double-check if cooking for allergies, diabetes, or strict dietary needs.

Original scan

We've kept the original page so the handwriting (and the kitchen-stained edges) live alongside the cleaned-up recipe forever. Tap any page to zoom.

Rate this recipe

Shared notes

Cook's annotations

No notes yet.

Family legacy

Audio reminiscence

A short voice memory — Mum reading the recipe out, a grandparent sharing the story behind it, a tip whispered while cooking. Up to ~60 seconds.

No audio memory yet.

Complete the table

Smart wine & side pairings

Evolution timeline

How this recipe has changed

Admin edit 2026-06-28

Edited 6/28/2026, 8:09:18 PM

Le Creuset - the utimate cooking dish