Cacio E Pepe

3 Ingredient spaghetti recipe. Literally "cheese and pepper", this minimalist pasta is like a stripped-down mac and cheese. Since this dish has so few ingredients, it is important to use the best quality ingredients you can afford. This dish only takes as long as it takes for the pasta to cook, so be sure to grate your parmesan ahead of time. Save that pasta water, the starchy water is a crucial element to a proper emulsion.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 8  ounces spaghetti
• 4  ounces  half a stick butter
• 3⁄4-1  tablespoon black pepper, freshly cracked
• 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook to al dente.
3. While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
4. Add the fresh cracked pepper.
5. When the butter begins to bubble, turn off the flame and remove from heat.
6. When the pasta is ready, add the noodles and 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water to the sauté pan.
7. Cook over medium high heat until the liquid bubbles and thickens, tossing the pasta as needed.
8. Remove from the heat and add the Parmesan cheese, tossing rigorously until all ingredients are incorporated into a creamy sauce.
9. Garnish with additional black pepper and Parmesan, and serve immediately.