Romantic Pink Cacio e Pepe 💖
Indulge in this easy, elegant, and romantic Cacio e Pepe, featuring a beautiful pink hue perfect for a Valentine's Day dinner. Choose between store-bought or homemade pink pasta!
Equipment
- Medium Pot
- Large skillet or pan
- Pasta machine (optional)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh Tagliatelle or Spaghetti (for the easiest route, or see instructions for homemade pink pasta!)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (coarse preferred)
- Extra salt for pasta water and seasoning
For optional homemade pink pasta (yields 2-3 servings)
- 3/4 cup Semolina Flour
- 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 large whole eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6-8 drops Red Food Coloring (optional, for that iconic pink!)
Instructions
- 1. Choose Your Pink Pasta Path!For the Quick & Easy Date Night: Skip ahead to Step 3! Simply grab your favorite fresh tagliatelle or spaghetti from the store. If you crave that pink hue, you can gently toss the cooked pasta with a tiny bit of beet juice or a drop of red food coloring at the very end.
- For a Fun Homemade Experience: In a medium bowl, whisk together the semolina and all-purpose flours with 1.5 teaspoons of salt. Create a well in the center, then add the eggs, olive oil, and red food coloring. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the flour using a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and feels like soft play-doh. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour). Once rested, divide the dough into 3-4 pieces. Roll each piece through a pasta machine (to a setting like 5 or 6 for thinness) or roll very thin by hand, then cut into 1/4-inch wide strips. Hang your beautiful pink pasta to dry slightly while you finish the rest.
- 2. Boil Your Pasta: Bring a medium pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your fresh pasta and cook for just 30-45 seconds – fresh pasta cooks incredibly fast! Before straining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- 3. Craft the Creamy Sauce: While the pasta cooks (or right after), melt 2 tablespoons of the cubed unsalted butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the freshly cracked black pepper and let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the butter turns a light golden color and smells wonderfully fragrant. This step really brings out the pepper's flavor!
- 4. Combine & Create Magic: Pour in the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water and let it simmer gently for a couple of minutes. Add the cooked pasta, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together vigorously, allowing the starch from the pasta water and the melting cheese and butter to emulsify into a luscious, creamy sauce that coats every strand.
- 5. Serve Your Love: If the sauce seems too thick or dry, add a tiny splash more of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnished with the remaining Parmesan, a sprinkle of fresh pepper, and a pinch of salt if needed. Enjoy this easy, elegant, and romantic Valentine's meal!
Notes
Nutrition Information (approx. per serving, using store-bought fresh pasta):
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Total Carbs: 32g
- Net Carbs: 30g
- Fats: 31g
- Protein: 24g
