Pasta with Pecorino Cheese and Black Pepper

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8oz) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine) 250g (8.8oz) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
• 150g (5.3oz) pecorino cheese, grated 150g (5.3oz) pecorino cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
2. 2.
   In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the reserved pasta cooking water to the pan and bring it to a simmer.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the grated pecorino cheese to the pan, stirring continuously until it melts and forms a creamy sauce.
5. 5.
   Add the freshly ground black pepper and stir well to incorporate.
6. 6.
   Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Toss the pasta gently until it is well coated with the sauce.
7. 7.
   Season with salt to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pecorino cheese — Use a good quality pecorino cheese for the best flavor. If you can't find pecorino, you can substitute it with Parmesan cheese, although the taste will be slightly different.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra creamy sauce, add a splash of heavy cream to the pan before adding the cheese.
• Adjust the amount of black pepper according to your preference for spiciness.
• Reserve some grated pecorino cheese and black pepper to sprinkle on top of the finished dish for added flavor and presentation.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more pasta cooking water to loosen it up.
• Serve the pasta immediately after tossing it with the sauce to ensure it stays hot and creamy.

Serving advice

Serve the Pasta with Pecorino Cheese and Black Pepper as a main course, accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread. It pairs well with a glass of Italian red wine.

Presentation advice

Plate the pasta neatly on individual serving plates, ensuring that the sauce is evenly distributed. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a dusting of grated pecorino cheese. Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping.