Cacio e Pepe

Ingredients

  • 6 oz. pasta (long pasta seems to work best – spaghetti/ni, etc.)
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed, divided (2 Tbsp. / 1 Tbsp.)
  • 1 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/3 cup finely grated Pecorino
  • Salt, if necessary

Directions

  1. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Season with salt; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup pasta cooking water.
  2. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add pepper and cook, swirling pan, until toasted, about 1 minute.
  3. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to skillet and bring to a simmer. Add pasta and remaining butter. Reduce heat to low and add parmesan, stirring and tossing with tongs until melted. Remove pan from heat; add Pecorino, stirring and tossing until cheese melts, sauce coats the pasta, and pasta is al dente. (Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry.)  Serve immediately.

Note