Easy Lemon Cacio e Pepe Recipe
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Are you a minimalist cook? This easy lemon cacio e pepe recipe is for you. Whip up a delicious pasta dish in just a matter of minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
We’re huge fans of meals that are quick and easy!! This Cacio e Pepe just uses minimal ingredients and tastes like your favorite Italian restaurant in the comfort of your home. A delicious cheesy pepper-y pasta dish with a hint of citrus is one of the easiest pasta dishes to make at home.
This pasta was inspired by one of our favorite pasta dishes. We wanted to recreate one of our favorite Cacio e Pepe dishes we had in New York City. And every time we come home from a trip to the city we find inspiration to recreate our favorite dishes at home. Last fall we made a delicious vodka pasta and this summer we’re taking a twist on another favorite, Cacio e Pepe, by adding fresh citrus to the traditional dish. Minimal skills and ingredients are required to make this delicious pasta for your next dinner.
Easy Lemon Cacio e Pepe
How to make Cacio e Pepe
Make your pasta…
The hardest thing you will have to do in this recipe is make pasta noodles according to the package instructions. That is how simple this recipe is!! Start by boiling water in a large pot and cooking pasta according to the package. Before you drain the pasta after cooking, make sure to save a cup of pasta water for your cheesy sauce!! Once you have reserved some pasta water, you can drain the pasta and set to the side while you make the yummy cheese sauce.
Melt butter and roast peper…
I know when you think of cheese sauce, you may think of a heavy cheese sauce, but this is quite the opposite. It is light and full of flavor. In a large pan or dutch oven, melt your butter of medium heat. Crack fresh pepper corns and lemon zest into the pan and let it roast for a couple minutes. Next, pour the pasta water into the mixture and let it simmer for several more minutes.
Toss pasta in butter and cheeses…
The final step is the best step! Lastly, you will pour the bucatini noodles and cheeses into the pan and stir the noodles until the cheeses are fully mixed and melted.
Serve and enjoy…
Before serving, squeeze a bit of lemon juice on the pasta and stir together. This will add a little extra lemon flavor. Serve in pasta bowls and sprinkle with a bit more pecorino an parmesan and pepper. You can even add a bit of fresh basil for a pop of color and extra flavor.
And in a matter of about 15 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious gourmet pasta dish!
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Easy Lemon Cacio e Pepe
Make this delicious and easy lemon cacio e pepe in a matter of minutes with minimal ingredients.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecorino romano (grated)
- 1 cup parmesan reggiano (grated)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tbsp peppercorns (freshly ground)
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 16 oz package (bucatini pasta)
Instructions
- Start by boiling water and cooking pasta according to directions on the packaging. Before you drain your pasta water from the pot, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and set to the side. Drain your pasta and set aside as well.
- In a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Crack your pepper corns and lemon zest in the pan and allow to roast for several minutes. Add in 1 cup pasta water to the pan and simmer for several minutes.
- Next toss in your pasta and add remaining butter. Stir pasta in the simmering butter and add in the grated cheeses (pecorino and parmesan). Stir again to coat the pasta and melt. Squeeze in a bit of lemon juice and stir.
- Serve in bowls and sprinkle with more pecorino and parmesan. Enjoy!
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
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