Black Pepper & Parmesan Pasta

This is one of the easiest pasta recipes to prepare. Lots of perky pepper, salty Parmesan and fruity olive oil wrap around the tangles of pasta. It’s close to nirvana after a long day.  

Fish, shrimp, scallops or chicken pair nicely with it.  A light garden salad and this pasta dish are wonderful companions too.  Even if you have never cooked before, you can make this recipe. Trust me. 

 Black Pepper & Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Serves 4-6

Some Notes:

I use Parmesan cheese in this recipe. But if Romano is your favorite, go for it. Whatever cheese you decide upon, remember it has to be finely grated to work well in this recipe.

Freshly cracked pepper is also key. Make sure your pepper grinder is set to fine. You don’t want very large pieces of pepper in this pasta dish.

I like to finish it with a drizzle of olive oil and more cracked pepper. Pass the Parmesan at the table. I don’t add extra salt to this dish because the Parmesan is salty enough.

If you’ve bought some imported pasta, Parmesan cheese and olive oil, they will shine in this dish.  But, it’s just as good with quality, domestic ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 pound of dried spaghetti

1/4  cup of extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons of salted butter

Finely grated Parmesan cheese

Finely cracked pepper (freshly cracked is best)

Salt (optional)

Instructions:

Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Remember to salt the water when cooking it. It’s important to not overcook your pasta.

Meanwhile, add the olive oil and the butter to a small pot or pan and cook it over low to medium low heat. You just want to melt the butter and warm it. With your peppermill set to fine, grind lots of pepper into the melted butter and olive oil. Turn off the heat or keep on very low heat. Once the pasta is done, drain it.  You don’t want to drain all the water though. Keep the pasta a little moist and don’t shake off all the water.  Put the pasta back in the pot you cooked it in and toss with the reserved melted butter, pepper and olive oil sauce. Serve in a large bowl.  Drizzle more olive oil and grind more pepper on top. Pass the Parmesan for adding at the table. Enjoy!