16 Must-Know Pasta Classics for Every Day

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Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

This classic Roman pasta dish is super simple and consists of only 5 ingredients: pasta, 2 types of cheese, salt, and pepper. The pasta is cooked in a pepper broth that, when mixed with plenty of cheese, creates a delicious, creamy sauce.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2/3 lb spaghetti
• 1.5 tbsp black peppercorns
• 1 cup grated Pecorino cheese 
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water for 3 minutes. They should be al dente, as they will finish cooking in the pepper broth.
2. Crush the peppercorns in a mortar or coarsely grind them in a mill. Add the pepper to a pan and toast for a while to release the aroma.
3. Now add 3 ladlefuls of the pasta cooking water to the pepper and bring to a boil briefly.
4. Drain the pasta, reserving the cooking water. It is very important to keep some water as you will need it to prepare the sauce.
5. Add the drained pasta to the pepper broth.
6. Continue cooking for a few minutes over low heat, stirring gently. Add more water if necessary.
7. Grate the Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses, and add them to the pasta and pepper broth.
8. If needed, add more pasta cooking water and continue mixing to achieve a creamy sauce.
9. Use a ladle and fork to form spaghetti nests and arrange them on plates.
10. Add the remaining creamy sauce and some pepper, and sprinkle with grated Pecorino.