Cacio E Pepe With Crispy Pancetta Recipes

CACIO E PEPE WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the peas during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 3/4 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup of the reserved cooking water and 2 teaspoons pepper. Increase the heat to high and boil until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta and peas to the skillet and simmer, tossing, until well coated. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the parmesan, pecorino and parsley; toss until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy, adding the remaining 3/4 cup cooking water as needed to loosen. Top each serving with more cheese.

CRISPY MUSHROOM CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water then drain the pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, arrange the mushrooms in a large skillet in an even layer. Turn the heat to medium-high and let the mushrooms cook, untouched, until they begin to release their liquid, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the thyme, 3 tablespoons of the butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook and melt the butter, stirring the mushrooms occasionally, until they are a deep golden brown, have released all their liquid and crisp up, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the mushrooms to a plate and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the olive oil and remaining 4 tablespoons butter to the skillet and heat until the butter is melted and the foam subsides, about 1 minute. Add the 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the pasta and 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cooking water to the skillet and toss to coat. Sprinkle the 2 cups Parmesan on top and continue to cook, tossing until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated, about 2 minutes. If necessary, add a little more of the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and top with the mushrooms. Garnish with more pepper and Parmesan, if desired.

SPAGHETTI CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Scoop out some of the cooking water and reserve. Drain spaghetti.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add spaghetti and Pecorino Romano cheese. Ladle in 1/2 cup of reserved cooking water; stir until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Add more cooking water until sauce coats spaghetti, about 1 minute more.

CACIO E PEPE WITH PANCETTA AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook 2 minutes less than the package directions, about 8 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and pancetta. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the pancetta is crisp, about 10 minutes. Add the pepper and toast it, stirring often, for about a minute, or until fragrant. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and scrape up any bits that are sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
• Add the pasta and sprinkle with the parmigiano-reggiano. Add another 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir to coat all of the pasta in the cheese. Add the pecorino and butter and stir to combine, creating a light, creamy cheese sauce. Add the arugula and cook until wilted. Add additional reserved pasta water as needed to maintain the light sauce consistency. Serve with more grated parmigiano-reggiano, if desired.