Creamy One-Pot Cacio e Pepe Mac and Cheese
A quick and easy one-pot mac and cheese with a peppery Italian twist inspired by cacio e pepe, featuring a creamy sauce made from Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 225 grams)
- 4 cups water or broth (950 ml)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 100 grams)
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 100 grams)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon butter
- Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or fresh minced garlic
Instructions
- Gather ingredients and prep: measure elbow macaroni, grate cheeses finely, and crack black pepper fresh.
- In a large skillet or pot, combine 4 cups water or broth with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat (about 5 minutes).
- Add 8 ounces elbow macaroni and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente (8 to 10 minutes). Keep an eye on the liquid; it should reduce but not dry out completely.
- Taste a piece of pasta to check doneness. If water evaporates too quickly, add a splash of hot water to keep pasta moist.
- Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper and stir well to distribute.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Gradually sprinkle in 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano and 1 cup Parmesan while stirring continuously until cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
- If sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water and stir until smooth; if too thin, cook a minute longer, stirring frequently.
- Optional: stir in 1 tablespoon butter and a pinch of garlic powder or minced garlic until melted and combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more black pepper or salt if needed.
- Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for best meltability and flavor. Stir gently but consistently when adding cheese to avoid grainy texture. Keep some pasta water in the pot to create a silky sauce. For gluten-free, substitute pasta accordingly. Reheat leftovers gently on stove with added liquid to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup per serving
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: one-pot, mac and cheese, cacio e pepe, creamy, easy, quick, comfort food, peppery, pasta