8 Cacio e Pepe Recipes to Obsess Over

Cacio e Pepe
Photo: Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Cacio e pepe — that luscious Roman pasta with pecorino and lots of black pepper — is a classic for a reason. Go traditional and make the O.G. cheesy bowl of spaghetti, or get creative with a cacio e pepe pizza, pie, or pea dish! Below, find our best cacio e pepe recipes.

01 of 08

Three-Pepper Cacio e Pepe

Three Pepper Cacio e Pepe
Victor Protasio

A trio of peppercorns gives this pasta a subtle, floral heat; if you like, spice it up, swapping the Szechuan pepper with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

02 of 08

Pasta Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Cacio e Pepe
Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Pasta Cacio e Pepe is an ultra-minimalist recipe — flavored with just butter, salt, cracked pepper, and Pecorino cheese. It's perfect for a quick, unfussy supper.

03 of 08

Spaghetti with Cacio e Pepe Butter

Spaghetti with Cacio e Pepe Butter
Eric Wolfinger

F&W Culinary Director at Large Justin Chapple one-ups the original with a black pepper and Pecorino Romano compound butter. Just boil the pasta, grate the chilled butter over the top, and dinner is done.

04 of 08

Cacio e Pepe Pizza

Cacio e Pepe Pizza
© Con Poulos

At Sbanco restaurant in Rome, chef Stefano Callegari takes his time making this perfect pizza dough, topping it with the flavors of cacio e pepe pasta.

05 of 08

Cacio e Pepe Pasta Pie

Cacio e Pepe Pasta Pie
© Andrew Purcell

F&W's Justin Chapple uses three types of cheese in this indulgent and delicious baked spaghetti pie.

06 of 08

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

spaghetti cacio e pepe
© John Kernick

In the Lazio region of Italy, chef Antonio Ciminelli of Osteria Fontana Candida serves an elegant version with short pasta on the menu, and a rustic one with spaghetti for staff.

07 of 08

Spring Peas and Greens with Cacio e Pepe Dressing

Spring Peas and Greens with Cacio e Pepe Dressing
© Johnny Miller

This salad features spring greens and fava beans topped with a delicious buttermilk dressing inspired by cacio e pepe.

08 of 08

Bucatini with Pecorino and Coarse Pepper

Bucatini with Pecorino and Coarse Pepper
© LISA LINDER

Roberto Marchetti, of Al Bric and Al Ciabot, includes cherry tomatoes, which isn't traditional, but does make the recipe less austere.

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