Cacio e Pere
Dive into my warm and inviting take on this timeless Roman delight! This Cacio e Pere combines perfectly al dente pasta with a luscious blend of creamy pecorino cheese and sweet, juicy pears, creating a harmony of flavors that's simply irresistible. Get ready for a comforting dish that elevates simplicity to a whole new level!
Prep
10
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
2
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 2🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- 1 ripe pear
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- 4 generous spoonfuls of Pecorino
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 80g pasta (2.82 oz)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- 2
In a bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced pear, and Pecorino. Season with black pepper.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, since its dissolved starch (roughly 1-2% concentration) is essential for binding the Pecorino into a silky emulsion rather than a clumpy mess.technique1-2% starch concentration
- ✓Toss the grated Pecorino with pasta off the direct heat, adding cooking water in small splashes while stirring constantly, because temperatures above 160°F cause casein proteins in sheep's milk cheese to seize and separate into greasy clumps.techniquebelow 160°F
- ✓Choose a firm, slightly underripe pear (Bosc or Anjou) and dice it into 1/4-inch cubes so it holds structural integrity against the heat of the pasta instead of turning mushy and releasing excess water that dilutes the cheese sauce.ingredient1/4-inch dice
- ✓Grate the Pecorino on the finest holes of a box grater rather than using pre-shredded cheese, since pre-shredded varieties are coated with anti-caking agents like cellulose that prevent smooth melting and emulsification.equipmentfinest grater setting
- ✓Undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes below package timing since it will continue absorbing residual heat and starchy liquid while you toss it with cheese, preventing mushy texture from carryover cooking.timing1-2 minutes under package time
Share this recipe
Prep
10
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
2
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Cacio e Pere
Dive into my warm and inviting take on this timeless Roman delight! This Cacio e Pere combines perfectly al dente pasta with a luscious blend of creamy pecorino cheese and sweet, juicy pears, creating a harmony of flavors that's simply irresistible. Get ready for a comforting dish that elevates simplicity to a whole new level!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 2🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- 1 ripe pear
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- 4 generous spoonfuls of Pecorino
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 80g pasta (2.82 oz)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- 2
In a bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced pear, and Pecorino. Season with black pepper.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, since its dissolved starch (roughly 1-2% concentration) is essential for binding the Pecorino into a silky emulsion rather than a clumpy mess.technique1-2% starch concentration
- ✓Toss the grated Pecorino with pasta off the direct heat, adding cooking water in small splashes while stirring constantly, because temperatures above 160°F cause casein proteins in sheep's milk cheese to seize and separate into greasy clumps.techniquebelow 160°F
- ✓Choose a firm, slightly underripe pear (Bosc or Anjou) and dice it into 1/4-inch cubes so it holds structural integrity against the heat of the pasta instead of turning mushy and releasing excess water that dilutes the cheese sauce.ingredient1/4-inch dice
- ✓Grate the Pecorino on the finest holes of a box grater rather than using pre-shredded cheese, since pre-shredded varieties are coated with anti-caking agents like cellulose that prevent smooth melting and emulsification.equipmentfinest grater setting
- ✓Undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes below package timing since it will continue absorbing residual heat and starchy liquid while you toss it with cheese, preventing mushy texture from carryover cooking.timing1-2 minutes under package time