Shortcut Orzo Cacio e Pepe
The mac and cheese of the Roman legions adapted for today's kitchen. It's almost unbelievable how delicious this is for so little effort.
What you will need
1 cup Orzo
3 cups Water
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Black Pepper
(Nutritional facts 33 calories, 2.82 g fat, 0.72 g carbohydrates, 1.48 g protein, 6 mg cholesterol, 208 mg sodium)How to cook
1
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MSZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
2
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MiZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0z.jpg)
Combine the pasta and the water in a microwave-safe mixing bowl.
3
![ake about 10-15 minutes, depending on your microwave. Check every few minutes after reaching 10 minutes if this is your first attempt at this recipe.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NSZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0y.jpg)
Microwave the orzo in water until cooked to desired doneness. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your microwave. Check every few minutes after reaching 10 minutes if this is your first attempt at this recipe.
4
![pasta water.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9NyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0y.jpg)
Pour off most of the cooking water into a separate bowl. Reserve this extra pasta water.
5
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9OSZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU2l6ZT0x.jpg)
Working quickly now, toss in the butter.
6
![tter and cheese begin to melt into a smooth sauce. If the mixture appears too dry or the cheese is not melting well, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTAmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mg==.jpg)
Toss in the parmesan. Start stirring rapidly. Cotinue stirring until the butter and cheese begin to melt into a smooth sauce. If the mixture appears too dry or the cheese is not melting well, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
7
![a ton of black pepper.](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTImcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9Mw==.jpg)
Add a little salt, as needed. Add plenty of pepper. This dish is great with a ton of black pepper.
8
![](https://craftlog.global.ssl.fastly.net/m/ve/b64-8853942-1592861367022-b3B0aW1pemVGb3I9ZGVza3RvcGhoZCZsYW5ndWFnZVRhZz1lbi1VUyZyZW5kZXJDbGlwU3RhcnQ9MTUmcmVuZGVyQ2xpcFNpemU9MQ==.jpg)
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