10 Cacio e Pepe Recipes to Obsess Over

By Maria Yagoda
September 15, 2019
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 cacio e pepper-inspired butter to smear on fresh baguette. (Or even whip up a cacio e pepe pizza!) Below, find our best cacio e pepe recipes.
Start Slideshow

1 of 11

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.

Go to Recipe
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Pasta Cacio e Pepe Recipe

This creamy one-dish recipe makes for a delicious, unfussy supper.

Go to Recipe

3 of 11

Spaghetti with Cacio e Pepe Butter

Eric Wolfinger

Our Mad Genius culinary director, 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.

Go to Recipe
Advertisement

4 of 11

Cacio e Pepe Butter

Eric Wolfinger

Justin Chapple butter us up with brilliant flavor-packed compound butters, then freezes them for quick weeknight upgrades.

Go to Recipe

5 of 11

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. 

Go to Recipe

6 of 11

Cacio e Pepe-Style Braised Kale

For this fast twist on cacio e pepe, F&W’s Kay Chun replaces the noodles with kale.

Go to Recipe
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

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.

Go to Recipe

8 of 11

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.

Go to Recipe

9 of 11

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.

Go to Recipe
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Spring Peas and Greens with Cacio e Pepe Dressing

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

Go to Recipe
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in Pasta + Noodles

All Topics in Pasta + Noodles

Advertisement