Pink Cacio e Pepe for Valentine’s Day
Celebrate love with Pink Cacio e Pepe, a charming twist on the classic Italian dish. This creamy pasta features a delightful pink hue, making it perfect for a romantic dinner. With each twirl of spaghetti enveloped in a luscious sauce of butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, this enchanting recipe will ignite passion and create memorable moments at your table. Ideal for cozy nights in or surprise date nights, let this dish add a touch of elegance to your Valentine’s celebration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or bucatini
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream (fresh)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2–3 drops pink food coloring
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- For garnish: Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the heavy cream until combined, then whisk in the grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Gradually add pink food coloring until desired shade is achieved.
- Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water. Toss the pasta into the pink sauce, adding reserved water if needed for consistency.
- Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and mix well.
- Serve garnished with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 85mg