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Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico #SundaySupper

February 4, 2018

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Food often tells the story of our lives.  The foods we love; the ones we hate.  The meals we share with friends and family over laughs and sometimes tears.  Food is such a huge part of our lives, it’s sometimes hard to explain.

For me that food has been fettuccine alfredo.  I have eaten it so many time at so many different places and shared so many memories over it, most good, a couple not so good.

I ate it at restaurants more times than I can count before I ever made it at home.  It was one of my Granny’s favorites too, and we typically went to that chain restaurant that comes to mind when anyone mentions Italian food and I would honestly prefer not to eat at these days.

Still, I loved it then.  We took Granny there so many times.  We went late on the day of the NFC championship game because I just had to see the halftime performer (even though I could not for the life of me tell you who that was now).  They were out of alfredo sauce once.  That became a big thing.

Then we started trying other restaurants.  One had too much nutmeg and I sometimes still wonder if I experienced some of the side effects one can when consuming too much nutmeg.  Really, there was a lot of nutmeg.  A LOT.

Carrabba’s became my favorite and I still crave that creamy pasta with a mix of cheeses that was so wonderfully balanced.  Mom, Dad, Granny, and I celebrated my eighth grade graduation there and it was the topper to a wonderful day that held so much promise.  We laughed.  We talked.  We ate pasta.  It doesn’t get better than that.

Somewhere around that time, Mom and I began making my favorite dish at home.  I think it was a recipe from Giada de Laurentiis and involved about as much cream, butter, and cheese as you would imagine.  We ate that on Friday nights when I didn’t have to worry about school the next day and were lonely waiting for Dad to come home from his off shift.  We ate it on holidays, excluding that one when Mom accidentally grated her finger because we couldn’t finish making it and I hated that Christmas so much.

One dish holds a lot of memories and power over me.  In fact, I’m not sure if we ever made it exactly that way after that incident.  For a long time we didn’t use that grater and I still get a jolt of fear when I use it now and then.

This is not fettucine alfredo.

But it reminds me of it.  Kind of like a simpler, easier to make, lighter version, which is how I roll most of the time these days.  Cacio e Pepe is comfort food that doesn’t have to be saved for a special occasion with only a few ingredients.

Even the parmesan frico adds flair without fuss.  It’s easy to make and makes the dish feel special because every day should feel special as new food memories are just waiting to be made.

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Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico #SundaySupper


  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups finely grated parmesan cheese, divided, plus more for serving
  • ½ cup finely grated pecorino cheese
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
  • Parsley for garnish (I also think it’s pretty tasty)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Bring water in a medium stockpot to a boil. Add the pasta and garlic and cook one minute short of the cooking instructions on the box.
  3. While the pasta cooks. Take one cup of the parmesan and spread it into an even layer on a parchment lined baking sheet, or really a couple pieces of foil lined with parchment work for no clean up. Bake for about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye. Once it is melted and light golden brown, remove from the oven, and allow to cool and harden.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve ¾ cup of the pasta water and drain it. Remove the garlic cloves. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the pasta water, oil, remaining cheese, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, tossing the pasta constantly. Once the sauce has thickened slightly and come together, remove from the heat and serve immediately with more cheese, pepper, and parsley.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes

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Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper dishes! Thanks to Em for managing this week’s event!

Simple Dinner Ideas for Two

ENTREES FOR TWO

  • Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp by Wholistic Woman
  • Beef Carpaccio with Truffle Vinaigrette by Caroline’s Cooking
  • Butter Poached Cod with Lentils by A Day in the Life on the Farm
  • Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots
  • Chicken Mushroom Stuffed Squash by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
  • Cheesy Chicken with Broccoli by Recipes Food and Cooking
  • Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta by Brunch-n-Bites
  • Filet with Crabéarnaise by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
  • Peppered Chicken with Saffron Polenta by Gourmet Everyday
  • Sausage and Vegetable Orzo by Hot Eats and Cool Reads
  • Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Potatoes by Sunday Supper Movement
  • Shrimp Biranyi by Our Good Life
  • Shrimp Canneloni by Bottom Left of the Mitten
  • Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai by Take A Bite Out of Boca
  • Teriyaki Rice Bowl by Life Tastes Good

DESSERTS FOR TWO

  • Chocolate Cherry Skillet Cookie by The Bitter Side of Sweet
  • Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies for 2 by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
  • Kahlua Tiramisu for Two by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Sunday Supper Movement
The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.

Filed Under: Savory Tagged With: Cheese, comfort food, Dinner, Entree, Pasta, Vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Liz says

    February 4, 2018 at 7:48 am

    Gorgeous photos, Laura! What a simple, elegant and delicious pasta!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      February 4, 2018 at 10:24 am

      Thank you, Liz! That is quite a complement coming from you xoxo

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    February 4, 2018 at 9:29 am

    Now I’m jonesin’ for some pasta……

    Reply
  3. Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings says

    February 4, 2018 at 10:35 am

    I love the simplicity of this dish. It’s all about the pasta and cheese!

    Reply
  4. Hezzi-D says

    February 4, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    I love all pasta a d cannot wait to try this.

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    February 4, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    I have a real weakness for anything with loads of Parmesan. I can’t wait to make these!

    Reply
  6. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    February 7, 2018 at 9:53 am

    Laughing, talking, and eating pasta sounds like a wonderful time! Love pasta, but this is one of my favorites. Just made it last Friday for dinner, as a matter of fact. 🙂 Yours looks excellent — thanks.

    Reply
  7. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    March 1, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    Yes I love Carrabbas fettuccine alfredo too!

    and this cacio e pepe is perrrrfect-I need to try it! I actually might try it tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      March 2, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      Yay! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  8. Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says

    December 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    So much yummy pasta goodness and I love its simplicity! Sounds perfect for a cold winter evening!

    Reply
  9. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    December 31, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    What lovely memories! Food really holds a lot of powerful memories and emotions. This pasta looks delicious.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Potatoes - Sunday Supper Movement says:
    February 4, 2018 at 7:36 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  2. Beef carpaccio with truffle vinaigrette #SundaySupper - Caroline's Cooking says:
    February 4, 2018 at 8:46 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  3. Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies for 2! #SundaySupper - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks says:
    February 4, 2018 at 9:31 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  4. Recipe for a simple dish for two, Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai says:
    February 4, 2018 at 10:33 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  5. Filet with Crabéarnaise says:
    February 4, 2018 at 11:36 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  6. January Recipes - Girl Gone Mom says:
    December 31, 2018 at 1:01 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe w/ Parmesan Frico from Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  7. January Recipe Round-Up | The Saucy Southerner says:
    December 31, 2018 at 6:05 am

    […] from Blogghetti Cajun Bratwurst Slow Cooker Soup from Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck ~Main Dishes~ Cacio e Pepe w/ Parmesan Frico from Pies and Plots Manhattan Hot Shot Sandwich from Palatable […]

    Reply
  8. January Recipe Round-Up (Cozy Winter Recipes) | Blogghetti says:
    December 31, 2018 at 9:22 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe w/ Parmesan Frico from Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  9. January Recipe Round-Up - Crafty Cooking Mama says:
    January 2, 2019 at 9:31 am

    […] Cacio e Pepe w/ Parmesan Frico from Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  10. Shrimp Cannelloni #SundaySupper - Bottom Left of the Mitten says:
    April 22, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    […] Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots […]

    Reply

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