One-Pot Cacio e Pepe

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 30 min
  • Active: 30 min
This simple and classic pasta dish just got easier -- all of the ingredients are cooked together in the same pot, and the sauce reduces while the pasta cooks, no draining necessary! Don't wait for water to boil again.
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Ingredients

12 ounces thin spaghetti, broken in half (see Cook's Note)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 cup grated Pecorino-Romano, plus more for serving

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper, plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Put the spaghetti, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 5 1/2 cups of water together in a high-sided medium skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to cook, stirring the spaghetti frequently to keep it from clumping, until it is al dente, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Gradually sprinkle in the Pecorino and stir until completely melted, then add the butter. Sprinkle in the Parmesan, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir until melted and smooth-the cheese will clump at first but will melt into the sauce and thicken it up after about 4 minutes. Divide the spaghetti among 4 bowls and garnish with additional Pecorino and pepper.

Cook’s Note

The success of this recipe is dependent upon the specific pasta shape suggested, so we don't recommend substitutions.

Let's Get Cooking!

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jlamassa

Easiest recipe with the best results of any cacio e pepe recipe I’ve ever tried. I made a half recipe and it turned out great. The water evaporated, the spaghetti was al dente, nicely coated. Very close to restaurant quality.

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