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Cacio e Pepe (cheese & pepper pasta)
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Cacio e Pepe (cheese & pepper pasta)

Author Joy in Every Season

Ingredients

  • 1 # Bucatini Pasta
  • 6 TBSP butter
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic
  • 2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper
  • **optional** 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes more or less depending on your spice level
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, I used my zester
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino cheese freshly grated, I used my zester
  • *Optional topping: 2 TBSP fresh chopped flat leaf parsley & extra freshly grated cheese
  • **Reserve 1 cup of warm pasta cooking water**

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, melt butter in large sauté pan over med/low heat. Add whole garlic cloves & pepper. Saute pepper and garlic on low for 2-3 minutes. Remove garlic.
  • When pasta is finished cooking, scoop out 1 cup pasta water and set aside. Drain remaining pasta (do not rinse).
  • To saute pan, add pasta, 3/4 cup pasta water. Using tongs, mix together.
  • Add cheeses and continue to mix with tongs until cheese is melted and well combined. Add remaining pasta water if needed.
  • Serve and top with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated cheese.