Jamie Oliver Cacio e Pepe Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Jamie Oliver’s cacio e pepe whispers Italian culinary magic through its deceptively simple composition.

This Roman pasta marvel transforms three basic ingredients into a creamy, luxurious experience that dazzles taste buds.

Cheese and pepper intertwine like culinary dancers, creating a sensational texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Professional chefs and home cooks revere this dish for its elegant simplicity and profound flavor depth.

Each bite promises a journey through traditional Mediterranean cooking techniques that elevate humble ingredients.

Authentic Roman cuisine rarely achieves such sophisticated harmony with such minimal components.

Check out this recipe and unlock the secrets of a timeless Italian classic that will revolutionize your pasta preparation forever.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 700 kcal

Servings: 2

Ingredients Required for Jamie Oliver’s Cacio e Pepe

• Pici Pasta: Select fresh or artisan-made pici for authentic texture and robust wheat flavor.
• Salt: Choose high-quality sea salt to elevate the pasta's natural taste.

• Butter, Black Pepper: Select European-style unsalted butter for richness and freshly cracked whole black peppercorns for intense, aromatic warmth.
• Parmesan Cheese: Pick aged Parmigiano-Reggiano with crystalline texture for deep, nutty undertones.

• Reserved Pasta Water: Capture starchy liquid to create silky sauce consistency and enhance overall flavor integration.

Cooking Tools for Jamie Oliver’s Cacio e Pepe

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling water with ample space for pasta.
• Colander: Essential for draining cooked pici pasta smoothly.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for creating creamy pepper sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Ideal for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients gently.
• Grater: Used for freshly grating parmesan cheese with ease.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt.
• Serving Plates: Needed for presenting the delicious cacio e pepe.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for any initial pasta preparation or garnishing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cacio e Pepe

• Boil Water With Love

Get a big pot and fill it with water. Bring it to a vigorous, rolling boil. Toss in a pinch of salt to wake up the flavor.

• Cook Pasta Perfectly

Drop the tender pici dough into the bubbling water. Let it dance and swirl for 5-6 minutes until it reaches that dreamy al dente texture.

• Craft Silky Pepper Sauce

In a separate pan, melt butter and sprinkle generous amounts of freshly ground black pepper. Splash in some pasta water and let the magic happen. Stir gently until the sauce transforms into a creamy, luxurious mixture.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Scoop the cooked pici directly into the pepper sauce. Swirl and toss, letting each strand get coated in the rich, peppery embrace. Keep a splash of pasta water nearby in case the sauce needs loosening.

• Shower With Cheese

Rain down freshly grated parmesan over the steaming pasta. Watch as the residual heat starts to melt the cheese into pure comfort.

• Final Flourish

Give everything a tender toss to distribute the melted cheese. Taste and decide if it needs a whisper more salt. The goal is pure, simple deliciousness.

• Serve With Joy

Slide the pasta onto warm plates. Dust with an extra sprinkle of black pepper and additional parmesan if your heart desires. Dive in immediately and savor every single bite!

Tips and Variations for Jamie Oliver’s Cacio e Pepe

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, which acts like liquid magic to help sauce cling perfectly to pici noodles and create silky smooth textures.
• Customize Cheese Selection: Experiment with pecorino romano for sharper flavor or blend parmesan and pecorino for complex, rich cheese notes that elevate the traditional recipe.
• Control Pepper Intensity: Freshly cracked black pepper delivers different heat levels; lightly toast whole peppercorns before grinding for deeper, more nuanced spiciness that transforms the dish's profile.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Keep heat low when mixing cheese and pasta water, stirring constantly to ensure smooth emulsification and avoid grainy or broken sauce consistency, which guarantees restaurant-quality results every time.

Serving Suggestions for Cacio e Pepe

• Plate with Pasta Perfection: Serve the pici cacio e pepe in warm, shallow bowls to keep the pasta hot and showcase its creamy texture. The white ceramic will make the pepper-speckled sauce pop beautifully.
• Cheese Lover's Garnish: Add an extra generous handful of freshly grated parmesan right at the table, allowing diners to customize their cheese experience with a dramatic final sprinkle.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the rich, peppery flavors with a crisp Italian white wine like Verdicchio or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio, which will cut through the creamy sauce and enhance the dish's subtle complexity.
• Rustic Side Accompaniment: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette or some crusty Italian bread to soak up any remaining delicious sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal.

Storage Details for Cacio e Pepe

• Preserve Pasta Perfection: Store leftover pici pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce and pasta separate to maintain optimal texture.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet with a splash of reserved pasta water, stirring constantly to revive its creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Future Feast: Pack cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 weeks, understanding the sauce might slightly separate upon thawing.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare pasta components in advance – make the sauce base and store separately, cook pasta just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and incredible flavor.

Perfect Jamie Oliver Cacio E Pepe Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Classic Italian pasta jamie oliver cacio e pepe blends pecorino romano and black pepper into a creamy roman delicacy. Chefs can recreate this simple yet luxurious dish with professional techniques and authentic ingredients.

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Ingredients

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• 1 batch pici dough (can use egg tagliolini, bucatini, or spaghetti)
• 160 g (5.6 oz) unsalted butter
• 100 g (3.5 oz) parmesan, finely grated
• 4 tbsps freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Water Preparation: Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, seasoning generously with kosher salt to infuse depth into the pasta.
2. Pasta Cooking: Immerse pici pasta into the boiling water, cooking for 5-6 minutes until achieving a perfect al dente consistency with a slight bite.
3. Sauce Foundation: In a separate pan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat, then reduce to low, grinding fresh black pepper directly into the melting butter to release its aromatic oils.
4. Sauce Integration: Transfer pasta using a strainer directly into the butter sauce, retaining a cup of starchy pasta water to help create a luxurious, silky texture.
5. Cheese Incorporation: Sprinkle finely grated parmesan over the hot pasta, allowing the residual heat to gently melt the cheese without immediate aggressive stirring.
6. Final Fusion: Delicately toss pasta and sauce together, gradually adding reserved pasta water to achieve a glossy, smooth coating that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.
7. Serving: Conduct a final seasoning check, adding salt and pepper as needed, then serve immediately while the dish radiates enticing warmth and flavor.

Notes

• Master Pasta Water: Save a cup of starchy water to transform sauce texture, ensuring silky smoothness without overwhelming the delicate flavor.
• Pepper Power: Freshly cracked black pepper is crucial; it infuses rich, aromatic warmth directly into melting butter for authentic Cacio e Pepe character.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Sprinkle parmesan gradually over hot pasta, letting residual heat gently melt cheese without aggressive stirring to maintain creamy consistency.
• Temperature Timing: Serve immediately while pasta remains hot to preserve optimal sauce texture and prevent separation of delicate ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 60 g
• Saturated Fat: 38 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg