Gochujang Cacio e Pepe
Gochujang Cacio e Pepe is a bold and spicy twist on the Italian classic, blending creamy cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and gochujang chili paste for a unique fusion pasta dish with a savory kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti or bucatini
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add black pepper and toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in gochujang and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet and stir to combine into a smooth sauce.
- Reduce heat to low. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Gradually sprinkle in cheese, tossing constantly until it melts and creates a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen.
- Season with additional salt if needed. Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper on top.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Adjust gochujang amount to taste — 1 tbsp gives a mild to moderate heat.
- For extra umami, stir in a splash of soy sauce or miso paste.
- Best enjoyed immediately while the sauce is creamy and hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Find it online: https://tastyera.com/gochujang-cacio-e-pepe/