Dinner: 3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe (Pasta With Cheese and Pepper)

Recipe by Molly Baz 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 velv

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

Instructions

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.
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.
Divide pasta among plates and top with additional cheese and pepper. Serve immediately.

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