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Cacio e Pepe Mac and Cheese

10 INGREDIENTS • 9 STEPS • 35MINS

Cacio e Pepe Mac and Cheese

Recipe

5.0

1 rating
This pasta dish is one that our family asks for again and again because not only does it seem to be the side dish that goes with everything, but it’s deeply satisfying.
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This pasta dish is one that our family asks for again and again because not only does it seem to be the side dish that goes with everything, but it’s deeply satisfying.
author_avatar
Lakeside Table
Hi, I'm Madalaine! Coming up with ideas for what to make for dinner is the hardest part of cooking, so I love sharing easy dishes that will help you WOW your loved ones around your table.
https://lakesidetable.com/

35MINS

Total Time

$0.56

Cost Per Serving

Ingredients

Servings
12
us / metric
Unsalted Butter
110 g
Cold Unsalted Butter, divided
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
2 tsp
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Italian Seasoning
2 tsp
Italian Seasoning
Milk
180 mL
Milk
Grated Parmesan Cheese
200 g
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Heavy Cream
4 Tbsp
Heavy Cream
Bacon
5 pieces
Bacon
cooked to a crisp and chopped
Fresh Parsley
4 Tbsp
Fresh Parsley, chopped
Fresh Sage
2 Tbsp
Fresh Sage, chopped
Pasta Shells
455 g
Small Pasta Shells

Nutrition Per Serving

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Calories
329
Fat
17.1 g
Protein
11.0 g
Carbs
31.2 g
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author_avatar
Lakeside Table
Hi, I'm Madalaine! Coming up with ideas for what to make for dinner is the hardest part of cooking, so I love sharing easy dishes that will help you WOW your loved ones around your table.
https://lakesidetable.com/

Author's Notes

For a true cacio e pepe you should probably leave out the dried Italian seasoning, but I love it in this dish. Pick your favorite hard cheese like Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, or Asiago to use in this sauce and you may find yourself licking your plate clean.

Cooking Instructions

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step 1
Melt 2 tablespoons of Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp) in a saucepot over medium heat.
step 2
After the butter has melted, add the Freshly Ground Black Pepper (2 tsp) and Italian Seasoning (2 tsp) in it until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
step 2 After the butter has melted, add the Freshly Ground Black Pepper (2 tsp) and Italian Seasoning (2 tsp) in it until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
step 3
Add the Milk (180 mL) and continue to whisk vigorously while adding 1 tablespoon of Unsalted Butter (85 g) at a time. Only add the next pad of butter after the previous one has been completely incorporated in the emulsion. Turn off heat and set aside after all the butter has been added. Add the Grated Parmesan Cheese (200 g).
step 3 Add the Milk (180 mL) and continue to whisk vigorously while adding 1 tablespoon of Unsalted Butter (85 g) at a time. Only add the next pad of butter after the previous one has been completely incorporated in the emulsion. Turn off heat and set aside after all the butter has been added. Add the Grated Parmesan Cheese (200 g).
step 4
While whisking the butter into the milk, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. When boiling add the Pasta Shells (455 g) and cook until tender, about 9 minutes.
step 4 While whisking the butter into the milk, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. When boiling add the Pasta Shells (455 g) and cook until tender, about 9 minutes.
step 5
When pasta is done, drain it and reserve the pasta cooking water.
step 5 When pasta is done, drain it and reserve the pasta cooking water.
step 6
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and gently stir to completely coat pasta with sauce.
step 6 Add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and gently stir to completely coat pasta with sauce.
step 7
Return sauce to low heat and stir in the Heavy Cream (4 Tbsp) and fold in the Bacon (5 pieces).
step 7 Return sauce to low heat and stir in the Heavy Cream (4 Tbsp) and fold in the Bacon (5 pieces).
step 8
Slowly add 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta cooking water. Stir to incorporate and smooth out the sauce. If the sauce tastes gritty, continue to add pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth.
step 8 Slowly add 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta cooking water. Stir to incorporate and smooth out the sauce. If the sauce tastes gritty, continue to add pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth.
step 9
Serve the mac and cheese in a casserole dish and top with Fresh Parsley (4 Tbsp) and Fresh Sage (2 Tbsp).
step 9 Serve the mac and cheese in a casserole dish and top with Fresh Parsley (4 Tbsp) and Fresh Sage (2 Tbsp).

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