Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe Copycat Recipe
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Jump to RecipeThis Trader Joe’s cacio e pepe copycat recipe features cooked pasta tossed in a creamy parmesan or Romano cheese sauce with pepper. With just 4 ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, this simple sauce tastes better than the jarred sauce from TJ’s!
Start by sautéing butter with parmesan cheese and black pepper, and adding in some of the pasta cooking water to thicken the sauce without using cream. Toss with your favorite pasta and enjoy.
Want more copycat Trader Joe’s recipes? Try our copycat Trader Joe’s Elote Dip, Copycat Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas, and learn How To Cook Trader Joe’s Spring Rolls in the Air Fryer!
This delicious copycat cacio e pepe is a fantastic and easy dinner, ready in about 20 minutes. It’s loaded with flavor and turned out so good – definitely a new favorite way to enjoy pasta night. Cacio e pepe means “cheese and pepper” in Italian. It’s a simple cheese sauce to toss with freshly cooked noodles – just like the jarred variety you can find at Trader Joe’s.
This is not your average pasta and cheese dish! Cacio e Pepe is a traditional Roman dish, and is a simple and easy way to prepare a cheesy sauce by only using a few simple ingredients.
This Copycat Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe Recipe Is
- Creamy
- Simple
- Easy to Make
- Comforting
- Satisfying
- Vegetarian
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pasta – I used thick rigatoni noodled, but you can use any pasta shape or variety you prefer for this!
- Pecarino Romano or Parmesan Cheese – gives extra flavor and richness to this dish. If you can’t find Romano cheese, you can use a sharp real cheese parmesan, or a vegan version, adding a little extra into the sauce (and for garnish) this sauce will highlight whichever cheese you use so make sure you use a good one.
- Butter – I like to use unsalted butter to reduce the amount of sodium in my cooking.
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once finished cooking, remove from heat and leave in the cooking water for a few minutes (save the water, as it will be used to thicken the sauce).
Step 2: In a pan, add the butter over low heat until melted.
Step 3: Using a slotted spoon, drain the pasta and add into the pan with the butter. Toss well to combine.
Step 4: Pour 2/3 cup of the pasta cooking water into the pan. Add the parmesan cheese. Stir well, the sauce will thicken as it cooks. If sauce is too thick, add an additional 2 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water at a time to thin out the sauce.
Step 5: Once sauce has reached the desired thickness, add in the black pepper.
Step 6: Serve the rigatoni hot, topping with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
Trader Joe’s cacio e pepe sauce is made with Pecarino Romano cheese (or parmesan cheese) and black pepper. The sauce also includes melted butter and a little of the pasta cooking water for a creamier sauce.
Yes – you can use parmesan cheese or a parmesan/romano cheese blend instead of straight Pecarino Romano cheese. It may have a milder flavor than the classic cacio e pepe sauce, however parmesan makes a great substitute in a pinch.
This simple creamy cheese and pepper pasta sauce is similar to an alfredo, but sharper from the cheese. It’s a simple rustic pasta, thickened by the pasta cooking water instead of milk or cream.
Expert Tips
- For a thinner sauce, you can more pasta cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add in protein or sauteed vegetables for extra flavor. Wilted spinach, sauteed mushrooms, or roasted red peppers would be great additions.
More Tasty Pasta Recipe Ideas
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo Pasta Sauce
- Goat Cheese Pesto Pasta
- Creamy Jerk Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Pasta with Vodka Sauce
- Elk Bolognese Pasta
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Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Pan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry pasta save cooking water
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 cup Romano cheese or parmesan, plus extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once finished cooking, remove from heat and leave in the cooking water for a few minutes (save the water, as it will be used to thicken the sauce).
- Step 2: In a pan, add the butter over low heat until melted.
- Step 3: Using a slotted spoon, drain the pasta and add into the pan with the butter. Toss well to combine.
- Step 4: Pour 2/3 cup of the pasta cooking water into the pan. Add the parmesan cheese. Stir well, the sauce will thicken as it cooks. If sauce is too thick, add an additional 2 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water at a time to thin out the sauce.
- Step 5: Once sauce has reached the desired thickness, add in the black pepper.
- Step 6: Serve the rigatoni hot, topping with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper.
Notes
-
- For a thinner sauce, you can more pasta cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add in protein or sauteed vegetables for extra flavor. Wilted spinach, sauteed mushrooms, or roasted red peppers would be great additions.
Nutrition
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This is a tasty pasta
Love this pasta
Better than store bought