Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (2024)

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posted by Britt Berlinon Jan 25, 2022 (last updated Aug 23, 2023) 0 comments »

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This quick and easy vegan cacio e pepe is inspired by the classic Italian dish and is ready in just 15 minutes! Made with beans instead of cashews, this nut-free dairy free cacio e pepe is the perfect vegan pasta recipe for all eaters!

Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (1)

What is cacio e pepe?

Cacio e pepe is one of our all time favorite Italian pasta dishes, and it’s going to be yours as well! This classic Italian pasta is simple and flavorful, and easy to make. It’s almost like Mac and cheese, but simpler (and honestly more flavorful in my opinion!).

This dish originated in Rome, and is now found and enjoyed throughout Italy. It typically uses Pecorino Romano cheese but can sometimes be made with parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan) cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

The BEST vegan cacio e pepe recipe

​Of course, traditional cacio e Pepe is not vegan, but we can actually easily make it vegan!

You could use store bought vegan cheeses, which are really quite good these days. However, they can still use a lot of ingredients. Like my 5 ingredient cherry tomato sauce, I wanted to keep this dish really really minimal, just as cacio e Pepe was intended to be.

So we’re using beans instead of vegan cheese (and cashews! Many vegan cacio e Pepe recipes use cashews, and I wanted to offer up a new nut-free version), and adding in handful of ingredients to imitate that “cheesy” flavor.

The result? A simple yet flavorful dairy free cacio e Pepe that truly pays homage to the classic Italian dish. It’s also SUPER quick and easy to make: just 5 minutes start to finish for the sauce (no soaking!)!

Honestly, it’s the best vegan pasta dish because of how delicious it is and how approachable and easy on a busy night!

Simple ingredients

For this quick and easy homemade cacio e pepe recipe, here’s all that you need:

  • White beans:You can use cannellini beans, cannelloni, or any white bean that you’d like! Using beans rather than cashews helps to make this vegan cacio e pepe nut-free, cashew-free and dairy free.
  • Nutritional yeast:Along with the miso pasta, nutritional yeast helps to provide a “cheesy” flavor without using cheese!
  • Miso paste:This is one of my favorite ingredients to use for that strong and pungent flavor, orumami, that parmesan cheese usually brings. Miso paste is in fact soy based; however, if you have a soy allergy, I have found a chickpea-based miso paste that I’ve linked down below in the recipe card!
  • Sea salt + black pepper:Of course, you can’t have cacio e pepe without the pepe! This vegan cacio e pepe tastes best with freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Pasta water:This is the KEY ingredient for your vegan cacio e pepe sauce. Make sure that when you cook your pasta, reserve some of the pasta water for the sauce. It makes the sauce super creamy and “gooey,” much like a traditional cacio e pepe sauce.
  • Pasta:As we mentioned above, cacio e pepe is traditionally made with spaghetti or bucatini pasta. However, you can use your favorite pasta shape! We even have a homemade vegan pasta recipe that you can easily make gluten free as well.
  • Vegan parmesan:This one is optional, and just for garnish!
Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (3)

How to make a nut-free vegan cacio e pepe recipe (overview)

For the full written instructions and ingredient measurements, see the bottom of this post in the recipe card. You can also hit the “jump to recipe” button at the top of this post! Here, we’ll go over a brief overview of the steps, along with providing visuals for a better understanding of the recipe.

Here’s how to make a quick and easy vegan cacio e pepe dish:

  1. First cook the pasta.

    If you’re making homemade vegan pasta, you’ll follow the directions in the post. Make sure to cook the pasta just untilal dente. And don’t forget to reserve the pasta water! When you drain the pasta as well, add a teaspoon of olive oil and toss together. This will help your pasta from sticking.Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (4)

  2. Next, make the sauce:

    The best part about this vegan cacio e pepe is that the sauce is literally made in less than 5 minutes. No need to soak cashews; just put everything into a food processor or blender, and blend until smooth! Make sure not to forget the reserved pasta water as well!

  3. Toss the cacio e pepe sauce with the pasta:

    Pour the pasta sauce onto the pasta, and toss and stir together until evenly coated.Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (5)

  4. Plate and serve!

    Crack fresh black pepper onto each dish, and top with vegan parmesan if desired! You can also add in some sautéed mushrooms for a more exciting cacio e pepe.Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (6)

You’re just going to absolutely love this quick and easy vegan cacio e pepe! It’s one of our absolute favorite vegan pasta dishes and is a wonderful secretly vegan dinner recipe that all eaters love, vegan or not.

Want to save this recipe for later? Add it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest!

Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (7)

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!

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Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (8)

Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe

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  • Author: Britt Berlin
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This quick and easy vegan cacio e pepe is inspired by the classic Italian dish and is ready in just 15 minutes! Made with beans instead of cashews, this nut-free dairy free cacio e pepe is the perfect vegan pasta recipe for all eaters!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 16-ounce package spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, fettuccine or homemade vegan pasta*
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained
  • Lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp miso paste (chickpea-based if soy-free)
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking the pasta
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Fresh black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta:Cook the pasta according to package directions (al dente), reserving about 1/3 cup of the pasta water for the sauce. After you’ve strained the pasta, drizzle about 1 tsp of olive oil onto the pasta, and toss together so that the pasta doesn’t stick together.
  2. Make the sauce:In a food processor, add in all of the remaining ingredients (except the pasta), and pulse together until smooth.
  3. Toss the pasta with the sauce:Pour the vegan cacio cheese sauce onto the pasta, and toss together until evenly coated.
  4. Plate and serve:Twirl the pasta onto a spoon and plate. Crack fresh pepper over each dish, and serve with freshly shaved vegan parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Gluten free:For gluten free, please use your favorite gluten free pasta.

  • Main Meals

originally published on Jan 25, 2022 (last updated Aug 23, 2023)

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Creamy Nut-Free Vegan Cacio e Pepe Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you serve Trader Joe's cacio e pepe? ›

That's an excellent option for our Cacio E Pepe too, but by all means, don't feel boxed in: we find that this Cacio E Pepe serves excellently with all kinds of ravioli, or gnocchi, or in white lasagnas. Feel free, even, to serve it over steamed broccoli, a baked potato, or with grilled chicken breast.

What is a good substitute for cacio e pepe cheese? ›

Pecorino Romano is a hard, Italian sheep's milk cheese. It has sharp, rich nutty flavor, making it the perfect cheese for this simple pasta dish. If you don't have it or can't find it Parmigiano-Reggiano is a totally acceptable alternative.

What is the secret of cacio e pepe? ›

The Best Cacio e Pepe Recipe tips for success. Salt water. Salting the pasta water infuses the pasta and the water with flavor which translates to more flavorful Cacio e Pepe. Stir pasta frequently while it cooks.

What's the difference between Alfredo sauce and cacio e pepe? ›

Cacio e pepe is made by emulsifying pasta water with grated cheese and black pepper. It clumps so easily. Alfredo has an image problem. Americans think of it as pasta draped in a cream sauce made of heavy cream and cheese, but the original version is thinner and creamy from an emulsion of butter and grated cheese.

What pairs best with cacio e pepe? ›

Look no further than Chianti Classico for a classic red pairing. While most people associate this wine with flavorful meats like Florentine steak, the sharpness of the cacio e pepe holds its own and makes Chianti an unexpected accompaniment.

What pasta is best for cacio e pepe? ›

Spaghetti is the traditional pasta for cacio e pepe, but even Roman establishments now use popular shapes such as rigatoni, bucatini, and thick, square-cut noodles called tonnarelli. Use a good quality brand that cooks evenly and retains its al dente bite.

Why cacio e pepe is so hard to perfectly execute? ›

But it is extremely hard to execute well because you need to control the heat. The cheese will become stringy if you heat up your pan too much (above 70 °C or 158 °F). I tested all the methods, so you do not need to! Cacio e Pepe is rare in restaurants because it is hard to serve warm without the corn starch trick.

Is Trader Joe's cacio e pepe dairy free? ›

Trader Joe's Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce With Pecorino Romano Cheese And Black Pepper. This product has 3 ingredients that have dairy.

Where did Anthony Bourdain have cacio e pepe? ›

The specific cacio e pepe that Bourdain loves best comes from Ristorante Roma Sparita in Rome, where the smooth, buttery, cheesy pasta is served in a bowl made of Parmesan. It looks amazing. While gushing over the pasta, Bourdain said he'd give up his first sexual experience to eat it again.

How do you thicken cacio e pepe? ›

- Add a little more pasta water than you think you need (the pasta will continue to soak it up and the sauce will thicken on your plate).

What does cacio Pepe mean in English? ›

An iconic dish of the 'Eternal City' Roma, cacio e pepe or pasta de pepe simply translates to cheese and pepper pasta.

Can I use parmesan instead of pecorino for cacio e pepe? ›

Opt for Parmesan: You can use Parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano, or even combine the two for a unique cheese profile. However, Parmesan isn't as salty or tangy as Pecorino Romano, so you may need to add more to get the sharpness that cacio e pepe is known for.

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's cacio e pepe sauce? ›

Ingredients. Water, pecorino romano cheese (sheep's milk, sea salt, animal rennet), sunflower seed oil, modified cornstarch, ground black pepper, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, sea salt.

What is Bertolli d italia cacio e pepe? ›

An Italian classic meaning “cheese and pepper” – our take brings you restaurant-quality dishes at home with Pecorino Romano PDO, black pepper and fresh cream.

What to eat with Trader Joe's cacio e pepe ravioli? ›

I love serving Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Ravioli with a quick sauce made of crispy prosciutto, peas, sweet onion and parmigiano. This easy dinner recipe comes together in 20 just minutes with minimal ingredients.

How do you use jarred cacio e pepe sauce? ›

Cook your preferred pasta in plenty of salted water. In the meantime, pour the jar of Cacio e Pepe Sauce into a non-stick pan and cook on a low heat. One jar contains enough sauce for 6–7 portions. Any leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge to be used next time.

How to cook frozen cacio e pepe? ›

Instructions: Boil water in a big enough pot and generously salt it (a good 1 tablespoon per 15 pieces). Ensure the water in on a gentle boil and toss in the pasta gently, straight from the refrigerator or freezer and cook for 3-5 mins or until al dente, depends on how much the pasta has dried out.

Does cacio e pepe reheat well? ›

Cacio E Pepe Pasta Reheating Instructions

Place the pasta in a pan over medium-high heat and gently mix until hot to reheat. Alternatively, reheat it in the microwave in bursts.

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