When Monday starts with pasta, you know it’s going to be a good week. I know it’s Healthy January and all, but I made this last week and I’ve been dying to share it. And honestly, this is the healthier version of mac and cheese, so it still fits for “Healthy January” in my book… But then, my requirements may be slightly different from yours, because around here, a healthy diet does include pasta. What can I say, my mom taught me well. Anyway, happy Monday guys! The weekend was great, but I’m that odd person that lives for a super productive Monday. After a weekend spent catching up on “house” things…bathroom cleaning, pantry organizing, and finally taking down the lingering Christmas decorations. I’m honestly happy to be back at work and doing the things I love. When your weekends are spent voluntarily doing house “chores”, you know you’re no longer a kid. It’s not a bad thing, but gone are the days of sleeping in, chocolate chip pancakes at 2pm, and TV watching for a good part of the day. OK. Moving along. Let me tell you about this Instant Pot cacio e pepe. First things first, I shared a more classic recipe for cacio e pepe last year. It’s since become a reader favorite, it’s quick, it’s easy, and it is delicious. I’m going to be honest, when I first made this pasta I didn’t even realize I was making cacio e pepe. I was just throwing together a quick meal with some pantry staple items I had on hand. I wasn’t really thinking beyond wanting a simple bowl of cheesy pasta. Turns out I ended up making the instant pot version of cacio e pepe, complete with crispy chickpeas on top. And it turned out so good. For those of you who aren’t familiar with cacio e pepe, it means cheese and pepper in Italian. It’s like Italy’s version of mac and cheese, but simpler, and in my opinion better. Well, it depends what kind of mood you’re in. It’s a lighter version of cheesy pasta that doesn’t feel as indulgent as a bowl of mac and cheese. Yet, it’s still pasta, it’s still creamy, and it’s still cheesy. When looking at the recipe you might think it seems basic, that’s because it is basic. BUT with good pasta, a little butter, fresh black pepper, and really good cheese, pasta can be basic and perfect. And with this cacio e pepe, I added a topping of garlicy, basily crispy chickpeas. The crunchy chickpeas add not only a healthy protein, but also a nice texture. And the very best part? It’s made in the Instant Pot, and in just 3 minutes time. Yes, 3 minutes on high pressure and then a little extra time for the instant pot to get up to pressure. Here’s how it works. Add the pasta, butter, black pepper, and about 4 cups of water to your instant pot. Set it for 3 minutes, then let it come to pressure and do its thing. While that’s happening, make the chickpeas, which are optional, but they really add something extra special to this cacio e pepe. And they’re easy. Just add olive oil, chickpeas, garlic, and basil to a skillet, and cook until crisp. They take no more than 5 minutes and are so delicious that they’re addicting (you might want to make extra!). Bonus? They’re healthy too! Once the chickpeas are done cooking, the instant pot will be finished as well. Once you’ve released the steam on the instant pot, stir in the cheeses and enjoy. It’s that simple, easy and quick. It’s very important to eat this right away, while the pasta is hot and cheesy. Of course the leftovers are great, but if you want that true creamy, buttery pasta, eat this as soon as it’s done cooking. And be generous topping the pasta with the crispy chickpeas too. They’re kind of like a healthy breadcrumb, and like I said, they are addicting. I really could not think of a better recipe for a Monday. Serve this for dinner, and enjoy the leftovers for lunch. And always, always keep these pantry staple ingredients on hand. That way you can make this Instant Pot cacio e pepe whenever you need dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less…or simply when you need a good dish of cheesy pasta. You can’t go wrong with this recipe. If you make thisInstant Pot Cacio e Pepe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
