Cacio e Pepe with Crispy Pancetta

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 45 min
  • Active: 45 min
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Ingredients

4 tablespoons kosher salt

1 pound linguine 

8 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice 

1/2 cup cream 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 

2 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper 

1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for garnish 

1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for garnish 

1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves 

Directions

  1. Fill a large pasta pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the salt and the linguine and cook until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.
  2. While the water is coming to a boil, add the diced pancetta to a large, deep saute pan. Cook until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. To the same saute pan, add the cream, butter and 1 tablespoon of the black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by a third, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmigiano and the Pecorino until smooth; the sauce will be a little thick. Keep warm over low heat.
  3. With tongs, remove the linguine from the pot and add it directly to the sauce; toss along with 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce out. Transfer to a large serving platter and garnish with more Parmigiano and Pecorino, the remaining 1 tablespoon pepper, and the parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Anonymous

Great recipe, quick, easy, and delicious. Made as written the first few times then I cut the pepper in half (using ground pepper) and I felt that was better.

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