Crispy Cacio e Pepe Pasta
Spaghetti tossed with a creamy Pecorino-black pepper sauce, topped with crispy pancetta and fried breadcrumbs for crunch. Done in 25 minutes, totally TikTok-worthy.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 562
- Protein
- 24g
Ingredients
7 items — tap to check off
Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.
Open the appInstructions
Step 1
Boil salted water in a large skillet. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2
In the same skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat, stirring, until edges crisp, about 4 minutes. Remove to a plate.
Step 3
Add panko to the pan with residual fat. Stir until golden brown, 2 minutes. Tip onto a small plate.
Step 4
Return pasta to the skillet off heat. Add Pecorino, black pepper, and 0.5 cup pasta water. Toss constantly until creamy, 90 seconds.
Step 5
Add more pasta water in splashes if sauce breaks or looks too thick. Toss until silky and coats every strand.
Step 6
Top with pancetta, crispy panko, lemon zest, and parsley. Serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- large skillet with lid
- wooden spoon
- microplane or box grater
- measuring cups and spoons
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is an iPhone and Android app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations. Try it free for 7 days.
