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Shrimp Cacio e Pepe Express

Name: Shrimp Cacio e Pepe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 oz shrimp; 0.5 lb pasta; 2 tbsp black peppercorns; 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp butter

When you're too tired to cook a complex sauce but need something bold and satisfying.

Total: 15 min
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Serves: 2
Difficulty: easy
Calories: 760
Cost: $$$/serving

When the day has been long and your brain is fried, Cacio e Pepe is the ultimate low-effort hero. This version swaps some of the traditional complexity for plump, snappy shrimp that cook in mere minutes. We rely on the magic of toasted black pepper and starchy pasta water to create a creamy emulsion without needing a heavy cream base or complex techniques. The aroma of toasted peppercorns hitting the hot pan is pure comfort in a bowl. You can practically smell the stress melting away as the sauce coats every strand of pasta. It feels like an indulgent bistro meal, but it's actually built for those nights when 'easy' is the only requirement on your list.

Ingredients

8 oz shrimp — peeled and deveined
0.5 lb pasta — spaghetti or bucatini
2 tbsp black peppercorns — coarsely cracked
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese — finely grated
2 tbsp butter

Method

1 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
2 While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and peppercorns, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3 Add the shrimp to the skillet. Sear for about 3 minutes until they turn pink and are nearly cooked through.
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4 Just before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
5 Drain the pasta and add it directly into the skillet with the shrimp and pepper.
6 Add half of the cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously over medium heat until a creamy sauce begins to form.
7 Add the remaining cheese and more pasta water as needed, tossing until the sauce is glossy and coats every strand of pasta perfectly.

Variations

Vegetarian Swap — Replace the shrimp with sautéed zucchini ribbons or mushrooms.
Extra Zest — Add a pinch of red chili flakes for a spicy kick to the pepper base.

Notes

The secret is in the pasta water—it contains the starch necessary to turn the cheese into a smooth sauce rather than a clump. Make sure your cheese is finely grated so it melts instantly.