Cacio e Pepe Sautéed Cabbage Recipe
A flavorful twist on traditional Cacio e Pepe, this sautéed cabbage recipe combines tender cabbage with a rich blend of butter, black pepper, and Pecorino Romano cheese for a simple yet elegant side dish bursting with savory, cheesy goodness.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- 1 small green cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Make the black pepper base: In a large nonstick skillet with a lid, combine the olive oil, butter, and cracked black pepper. Place the skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring regularly, until the butter has completely melted and the mixture releases a fragrant aroma, about 2 minutes.
- Sauté the cabbage: Add the thinly sliced cabbage to the skillet and stir well to coat it in the butter and pepper mixture. You may need to add the cabbage in batches, allowing earlier additions to wilt down before adding more. Once all the cabbage is combined, increase the heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until some cabbage pieces develop a slight char, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the cheese: Pour in the water and about half of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet with the lid, and cook until the cabbage is fully softened, around 3 minutes more.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining Pecorino Romano cheese. Adjust seasoning with additional cracked black pepper if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy this cheesy, peppery sautéed cabbage dish.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of black pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Using freshly cracked black pepper and freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese greatly enhances the flavors.
- If you prefer a bit more moisture, add additional water in small increments while cooking.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or can be enjoyed as a vegetarian side.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a vegan cheese substitute.
Keywords: Cacio e Pepe, sautéed cabbage, Italian side dish, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, vegetarian, quick side dish