Cacio E Pepe Linguine Recipe

Boil the Water

Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.

Cook the Linguine

Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

Reserve Pasta Water

Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to help make the sauce.

Combine Cheese and Pepper

In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

Create the Sauce

Gradually add a small amount of reserved pasta water to the cheese and pepper mixture, stirring constantly until it forms a smooth paste.

Mix Pasta with Sauce

Once the linguine is cooked and drained, add it directly to the bowl with the cheese and pepper mixture.

Add Olive Oil and More Water

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the pasta and add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.

Toss to Combine

Toss the linguine with the sauce thoroughly, ensuring that all the pasta is coated with the creamy cheese and pepper sauce.

Plate and Serve

Serve immediately, garnished with additional Pecorino Romano cheese and cracked black pepper if desired.