Name: 3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe (Pasta With Cheese and Pepper)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano (about 9 ounces), plus more for serving; 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound spaghetti; Kosher salt

Image may contain Spaghetti Food and Pasta

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks

In Epi's 3-Ingredient Recipes series, we show you how to make great food with just three ingredients (plus staples like oil, salt, and pepper).This classic pasta has only a few ingredients, but they transform into a surprisingly velvety, flavorful dish.

Recipe information

Total Time
30 minutes
Yield
Serves 4

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano (about 9 ounces), plus more for serving

2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound spaghetti

Kosher salt

Preparation

Step 1
Combine 2 1/2 cups cheese and 2 Tbsp. pepper in a large bowl; add oil and 3/4 cup cold water and mash with a fork to make a thick paste. Spread paste evenly in bowl.
Step 2
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Using tongs, transfer pasta to bowl with cheese mixture; reserve pasta cooking liquid in pot. Stir pasta vigorously to coat with sauce, adding pasta cooking liquid to thin if necessary, until sauce clings to pasta and is creamy but not watery.
Step 3
Divide pasta among plates and top with additional cheese and pepper. Serve immediately.

TagsPasta Spaghetti Italian European Pecorino Cheese Dairy Main Dinner Nut Free Vegetarian Quick Easy Weeknight Meals 5 Ingredients or Fewer One-Pot Meals 30 Minutes or Less Epicurious

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

59 Recipes Epi Readers Are Relying on Right Now
Yes, you're making really good pantry pasta—but you're also mastering béchamel.
57 Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes
With five ingredients or less, these recipes are uncomplicated, easy, and most importantly, awesome.
65 Kid-Friendly Pasta Recipes
Simple, hearty bowls of noodles that will get dinner on the table quickly and please everyone in the family.
67 Game-Changing Weeknight Pasta Recipes
Restaurant-quality pasta in less than 30 minutes is entirely possible, and we've got the recipes to prove it.
105 Back to School Dinner Recipes
Simple, quick, and kid-friendly meals to help you ease into the new school year.
101 Italian Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight
Craving Italian? We've got you covered with our favorite pastas, pizzas, soups, roasts, and more.
51 of Our Best 3-Ingredient Recipes
Not counting olive oil, salt, and other pantry staples, all of these dinners, breakfasts, and desserts can be made with only three ingredients.
How to Use a Blender as a Pepper Grinder
You’ve got enough to worry about—put down the pepper grinder.
5 Simple 3-Ingredient Recipes
Skip the big grocery shop. All you need is a few ingredients to knock out a stunningly delicious—and shockingly quick—dinner every night of the week.