Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

Pasta and Noodle - Dinner

This peasant food comes from Roman sheep herders who had little time and money to spend on eating. They used their sheep's cheese and a bit of the water that cooked the pasta to create a cream, then added black pepper to give it some extra flavor. Cheap, easy, and fast: this was perfect for them and for us even today!

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Roman Sheep Herders Pasta

Brief

Prep 10 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 6

Yield: 6 servings

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound bucatini (dry)

2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 ½ tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

or more to taste

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Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook bucatini in the boiling water stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2

Place grated Pecorino Romano cheese into a large glass bowl and mix with a fork to make sure the cheese contains no lumps.

Step 3

Once the bucatini are al dente lift them out with a spaghetti fork or tongs and put them directly into the bowl with the cheese. Do not allow the water to drain too much.

Step 4

Add one ladle of pasta water to the bowl. Stir the bucatini around until a cream has formed. Add more pasta water little by little until a thick cream has formed. Sprinkle freshly ground pepper over the pasta. Toss and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

Servings Per Recipe:6

Calories: 438.3

% Daily Value *

Protein: 22.5g 45%

Carbohydrates: 59g 19%

Dietary Fiber: 2.2g 9%

Sugars: 0.3g

Fat: 11.9g 18%

Saturated Fat: 7g 35%

Cholesterol: 41.3mg 14%

Vitamin A Iu: 169.4IU 3%

Niacin Equivalents: 8.3mg 64%

Vitamin B6: 0.1mg 8%

Vitamin C: 0.3mg 1%

Folate: 177.7mcg 44%

Calcium: 442.9mg 44%

Iron: 3.7mg 21%

Magnesium: 55.7mg 20%

Potassium: 176.9mg 5%

Sodium: 869.6mg 35%

Thiamin: 0.8mg 80%

Calories From Fat: 107.4

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.