Za'atar cacio e pepe from Ottolenghi Flavour / Flavor (page 104) by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage and Tara Wigley

Ingredients

black peppercorns
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za'atar
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Where’s the full recipe - why can I only see the ingredients?

Accompaniments: Rainbow chard with tomatoes and green olives

Always check the publication for a full list of ingredients. An Eat Your Books index lists the main ingredients and does not include 'store-cupboard ingredients' (salt, pepper, oil, flour, etc.) - unless called for in significant quantity.

Notes about this recipe

Bessp on April 10, 2026

I had this as part of a cookbook club I'm in, so I didn't cook it myself. It's a pretty good cacio e pepe, and the za'atar did add a compelling flavor that went well with the cheese and pepper. I don't know that I would make it for myself, just because it's pretty simple and there are so many other more interesting recipes in this book.
Schooffiecooks on March 27, 2026

Simply delicious!
ash_2fquo3 on February 01, 2026

Might have been the za'atar I used (trader joes my favorite for baking, seems to work less in cooking), but I wasn't a huge fan.
apw2020 on January 16, 2025

Eh. I think it depends on how fresh your Za'atar is. I wouldn't make this again.
anya_sf on November 15, 2024

Yummy! I made 1/2 recipe and added baby spinach and frozen peas at the end with the pasta. With my changes, I wasn't sure it was going to work, but it did; the sauce was nice and creamy. I did have to add a cup more water to cook the pasta and a bit more again for the sauce.
lholtzman on September 05, 2024

This was delicious and super easy. I used spaghetti and it worked well. I also used oregano instead of marjoram.
Fyretigger on June 02, 2022

This tastes great! The za'atar adds a little something without fundamentally changing the character of this classic. And the technique of cooking the pasta in a smaller amount of water and then reserving all the water for the sauce works beautifully!
DePollepel on June 19, 2021

such great comfort food! and it was amazing how the sauce came together easily. Added some peas and some lardons
DePollepel on June 19, 2021

very simple but ultimate comfort food and very delicious
mademoisielle on April 21, 2021

Loved this with the pappa al pomodoro from Flavour! added a bit more zaatar to really make the flavours come out. Will make again.
TrishaCP on March 12, 2021

I agree that the za’atar was disappointingly subtle. Not a repeat for us.
bernalgirl on February 19, 2021

Our family was very divided on this one, with our usually adventurous Little disappointed that I had ruined his pasta, but the rest of us enjoyed it. If you follow the directions exactly, the sauce is silky and coats the pasta perfectly.
Barb_N on November 21, 2020

We were served this as part of a socially-distanced outdoor dinner (in November). I think the recipe appeared in the Washington Post. We all felt the za’atar flavor barely came through. Jeff, the chef, did like the technique.
potatooryam on November 20, 2020

Really delicious on cacio e pepe. The method for reducing the pasta water in the pan before adding the pasta back in made for a nice sauce that coated the pasta evenly, something I've always had trouble with before when making this dish.
EmilyR on October 20, 2020

We really loved this. It was simple and flavorful. Using the bucatini is also perfect.
metacritic on October 06, 2020

I've always struggled with cacio e pepe. It might be because I lack a sufficiently large nonstick pan. It might be for other reasons. I struggled with this one, too, though I got closer to the proper results. I really liked this recipe but it calls for far too much water to incorporate the ingredients. I'd reduce the water to 250 or 200 ml. Otherwise, I loved the flavor. My partner prefers a more traditional cacio e pepe, I should add. It's also a huge amount of cheese, thought it works.
Indio32 on September 22, 2020

Have seen this recipe all over the place so thought I'd give it a go. Made a half portion for 2. Will be grating the cheese in a food processor next time as doing it by hand was a pain. Might also reduce the amount a bit as well. We both enjoyed it and not too much effort either. Had with crisp green salad.
Astrid5555 on September 19, 2020

This simple and unassuming pasta dish got the highest praises from my 13-year old picky son, he had seconds. This will be my new go-to weeknight family dish if pressed for time. Very highly recommended!!!