Description
A classic Italian pasta dish featuring bucatini or spaghetti tossed in a simple yet flavorful sauce made from butter, toasted black pepper, and freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese. The creamy sauce is achieved by combining reserved starchy pasta water with butter and cheese, creating a rich and comforting meal perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz dried bucatini or spaghetti
Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for garnish
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper, toasted
Instructions
- Boil Water and Cook Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a small handful of salt to the boiling water, then add the pasta. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until it reaches al dente texture, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Reserve Pasta Water and Drain: Drain the pasta in a colander, but reserve about 2/3 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water to use in the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Butter: Return the pasta to the pot or transfer it to a large skillet and place over low heat. Add the reserved pasta water and butter, tossing the pasta together until the butter melts completely and starts to coat the noodles.
- Add Cheese and Black Pepper: Add the freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and toasted cracked black pepper to the pasta. Continue tossing vigorously until the cheese melts and combines with the butter and pasta water to form a creamy, smooth sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and top with extra grated Pecorino Romano cheese as a garnish. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- The key to a creamy sauce is to use the reserved warm pasta water, which contains starch that helps the cheese melt smoothly without clumping.
- Toasting the cracked black pepper before adding elevates its flavor and adds a slight smoky aroma to the dish.
- Use high-quality Pecorino Romano cheese freshly grated for the best taste and texture.
- Work quickly when tossing the cheese with the pasta to ensure a smooth sauce before it cools and clumps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz pasta with sauce)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
