Prep: 5 Common Questions
How do you pronounce Cacio e Pepe?
Cacio e Pepe is pronounced kah-chee-oh eh peh-peh. It’s an Italian pasta dish made with cheese, black pepper, and pasta.
Why is my sauce clumpy?
The sauce usually gets clumpy when the cheese gets too hot too quickly. For the smoothest sauce, keep the heat low and stir everything together gently with the pasta water. The warm pasta and reserved pasta water help melt the cheese into a creamy sauce instead of letting it clump up.
I’ve been making this Bucatini Cacio E Pepe recipe for YEARS and it’s still my favorite way to cook bucatini! Made in just 20 minutes with a few simple ingredients, I love that it’s perfect for busy weeknights. My kids love this creamy, cheesy, peppery pasta sauce with peas, and it’s always a win all around for our family! With over 40 5-star reviews, this bucatini pasta recipe is truly SO good.
Bucatini Pasta Recipe
I will always be a fan of Bucatini Cacio E Pepe for dinner! I can’t get over how quick and easy it is to make, and the fact that my kids actually love it is such a game changer. After lots of years of making this recipe, I can honestly say it’s perfect!
I love adding a little grilled or rotisserie chicken for more protein, but no matter how you make it, that creamy sauce just melts in your mouth. Sometimes you just need a big bowl of pasta, and this Bucatini Cacio E Pepe recipe does not disappoint!
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”SYKjOvS0″ upload-date=”2023-04-24T08:00:00.000Z” name=”Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Recipe” description=”This Bucatini Cacio E Pepe recipe is so incredibly easy to make! Hearty bucatini pasta in a creamy, cheesy, peppery sauce with peas and any other vegetables you like. This delicious vegetarian dinner can be made in just 20 minutes and is perfect for any night of the week!” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]You’ll Also Love: Creamy Brie Pasta Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Bucatini Pasta
- 20-Minute Dinner: This recipe comes together so quickly, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy to Make: The sauce is simple, creamy, cheesy, and made with just a handful of ingredients.
- Vegetarian: It’s a hearty meatless dinner that still feels filling and satisfying.
- Cacio e Pepe Flavor: The black pepper, parmesan, and pecorino romano create that classic cacio e pepe flavor in every bite.
What is Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Pasta?
Bucatini Cacio E Pepe is a variation of the classic cacio e pepe dish, where bucatini pasta (opens in a new tab) is used instead of spaghetti. The name “cacio e pepe” translates to “cheese and pepper”, making it a mouth-watering and popular option for a quick and easy pasta dinner during busy weeknights!
Bucatini Pasta Recipe Ingredients
You only need 8 simple ingredients for this easy recipe!
Bucatini Pasta – This recipe is centered around bucatini pasta (opens in a new tab). However, spaghetti can be used instead!
Olive Oil – The rich flavor of extra virgin olive oil is a must for this pasta dish. Another option is to use a little melted butter!
Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan cheese adds a rich, cheesy flavor!
Pecorino Romano Cheese – The grated pecorino romano cheese (opens in a new tab) in this recipe adds a delicious, salty flavor. If you are unable to find this type of cheese at your local grocery store, feel free to use the same amount of grated parmesan cheese instead!
Salt – A tiny bit of salt brings this pasta recipe together.
Coursely Ground Pepper – The coarsely ground pepper (opens in a new tab) is a total must for cacio e pepe! It truly brings this pasta dish to life and adds depth, along with that warm, peppery flavor.
Pasta Water – Be sure to reserve a little bit of starchy pasta water while cooking the pasta for later on in the recipe process!
Peas – I have to have some sort of vegetable in my pasta, so I added frozen peas for nutrition and added protein. Canned peas (opens in a new tab) work, too, as long as they are drained and added in at the very end of the process!
How to Make Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
The BEST weeknight pasta dinner in just 20 minutes! Here’s how to make Bucatini Cacio E Pepe in 5 easy steps:
- Cook the pasta al dente, according to package directions in a large pot of water.
- “Toast” the pepper in olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add the parmesan and pecorino romano cheese, salt, and pasta water.
- Add in the cooked pasta and toss until the cheese is melted.
- Add frozen peas and cook until warm!
RELATED: 30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!)
Bucatini Pasta Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This bucatini pasta recipe is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen!
- Add more vegetables: Try spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, or broccoli.
- Use a different pasta: Spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine also work well if you don’t have bucatini.
- Make it extra cheesy: Add a little more parmesan or pecorino romano for an even richer sauce.
- Add protein: Top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy chickpeas.
- Swap the peas: If peas aren’t your favorite, leave them out or use another quick-cooking vegetable instead.
What to Serve with Cacio e Pepe Bucatini
- Roasted Asparagus (opens in a new tab)
- Green Salad
- Air Fryer Zucchini (opens in a new tab)
- Toasted Bread
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (opens in a new tab)
- Roasted Veggies
- Easy Quinoa Salad (opens in a new tab)
How to Store Bucatini Pasta
While Bucatini Cacio E Pepe is best served fresh, leftovers can definitely be stored and reheated for later! To store in the refrigerator, let cool and place in an airtight container for 3-4 days. To store in the freezer, let the pasta cool in an airtight container in the fridge without the lid for 1 hour, then add the lid and move to the freezer for up to 3 months!
Bucatini Pasta Recipe FAQs
More Healthy Pasta Recipes
- Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
- Spicy Vodka Ham Pasta
- 10-Minute Avocado Pasta
- Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
- Chicken Tomato Pesto Burrata Pasta
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons! (opens in a new tab)
Bucatini Cacio E Pepe Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Bucatini pasta (opens in a new tab)
- 1/3 cup olive oil (opens in a new tab)
- 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper (opens in a new tab)
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup pasta water
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bucatini pasta according to package instructions. Be sure to reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water.
- Add olive oil to a skillet and “toast” the pepper over low heat, just for about 30 seconds to make it very fragrant and flavorful.
- Add in the parmesan cheese, romano cheese, salt, and pasta water.
- Add in the cooked pasta and cook over low heat for just a minute or so until the cheese is melted.
- Stir in the peas and cook until warm. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
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Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)
Excellent recipe, this was a huge hit in our house.
Thanks, Dave. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
Super tasty combo of ingredients! Next time I might add the cheese after the pasta because it kind of congealed on too high heat and didn’t incorporate in with the pasta.
This pasta dish looks so simple and delicious. I love adding peas to past it gives such a lovely texture. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I am always amazed at how easy this pasta dish is. The addition of peas gives this Caccio e Peppe color and texture, loved it! Got Bucatini at home to try this recipe tomorrow 🙂
Your cheese, pepper, and pea pasta looks like a quick and good weeknight option. Thanks for sharing!