Cacio e pepe

This literally means cheese and black pepper, and is a quick and simple pasta dish.

Ingredients

• 200g dried spaghetti
• 25g butter
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 50g grated strong cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino

Method

1. Heat about 1 litre of water in a pan over a high heat.
2. Once it's boiling, snap the spaghetti in half and put in the pan.
3. Cook for 9 minutes, reducing the heat to a simmer once it's back up to temperature.
4. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a low heat and add the butter a couple of minutes before the pasta is ready.
5. Use a measuring jug to scoop out about 150ml of the cooking water from the pasta.
6. Drain the rest of the water away from the pasta, and put the pasta in the frying pan.
7. Sprinkle the black pepper over the top of the pasta and stir so that it's all coated in butter.
8. Finally put the cheese on top of the pasta and wait about 1 minute for it to melt.
9. Add 100ml of the saved pasta water, mix well until all combined and serve immediately.

Serves 2. but easily multiplies up to cater for more.