Low Carb, Full of Flavor: Meet It’s Skinny Cacio e Pepe
Looking for a simple, satisfying pasta dish that you can truly feel good about? Meet It’s Skinny Ready-to-Eat Cacio e Pepe—a Roman classic reinvented for real life.
If you’re looking for a step up from typical boxed pasta and cheese, this is it. Moreover, It’s Skinny Cacio e Pepe does it all with only 3 net carbs and a gluten-free, keto-friendly spin. If you’re ready to rediscover this pasta classic, prepare to fall in love!
Cacio e Pepe: A Classic Dish
Cacio e Pepe means “cheese and pepper”—a simple description for a deceptively simple dish. This pasta favorite dates back hundreds of years to the Roman shepherd culture. It was crafted with easy-to-transport staples: pepper, pasta, and Pecorino Romano.
Historically, this tasty, simple dish used pasta water to create a creamy (if not slightly finicky) sauce. Today, we’ve taken this timeless favorite and given it a modern, indulgent twist with butter and cream to create a rich, velvety sauce that clings to the ultra-light pasta.
About that pasta—It's Skinny Pasta is a carb-counter’s dream! The pasta itself is ultra-low-carb (zero net carbs per serving) and low-calorie (9 calories per pasta pack). That means you get the perfect base for this dreamy sauce but none of the sluggish, carb-loaded lag that comes with a pasta indulgence.
This Cacio e Pepe is the perfect option for lunch, dinner, or any time you need a little comfort in food form. You get a full-flavor, restaurant-level experience in minutes, without the carbs or gluten.
Cacio e Pepe was the perfect travel dish back in the day. A hard, salty cheese, Pecorino Romano was easy to take on the road. It lasted a long time, and there was a low risk of spoilage. Roman shepherds appreciated the warming, peppery dish made with their favorite pasta on those cold nights.
Of course, a dish this good couldn't stay a shepherding secret for long, and eventually, modern Roman trattorias started featuring it as a menu staple. It's rustic, bold, and yet the perfect way to show how delicious basic ingredients can be
One thing about Cacio e Pepe is that it's notoriously easy to mess up. With too much heat, the cheese gets clumpy. Too little water and it becomes dry. It's a delicate balance, which is why this simple dish is still mostly relegated to restaurant menus. Not to mention, it’s heavy on carbs, calories, and sodium—leaving you really feeling the weight of that indulgence!
Low Carb Meets Convenience
We all love convenience foods, but they get a bad rap (for a somewhat good reason). They often contain a lot of processed ingredients, carbohydrates, added sugars, gluten, and very little fiber.
If you’re on a gluten-free diet or just trying to reduce your intake of carbs, it can seem like a no-win situation. How do you enjoy a fast meal without spending too much time in the kitchen? Some folks opt for nutrition bars (still processed) or eat the same foods over and over.
But variety is the spice of life—and you need this spicy, peppery pasta in your life! That’s why It’s Skinny took this dish and turned it into a convenient boxed option that’s gluten-free, fast, creamy, and yummy.
As with all our It’s Skinny Pasta varieties, Cacio e Pepe is made with shirataki noodles. For those who haven’t tried shirataki pasta before, prepare to be amazed. You can enjoy a satisfying, generous portion of noodles with zero net carbs and only 9 measly calories!
That's because shirataki pasta is made from a special ingredient called konjac root. This magical little veggie isn't the prettiest root in the garden (it looks a little like a turnip or potato) but is one of the highest in satisfying glucomannan fiber. That means you feel full. Your blood sugar levels stay steady, and you can still indulge.
Shirataki noodles have a pasta-like texture and a very neutral taste (like traditional noodles). That makes them a perfect platform for any sauce you love.
Let’s just talk about that sauce for a minute too. We call for a little touch of butter and cream in our sauce, which takes the creaminess to the next level while still keeping it keto-friendly. Every mouthful of this pasta is rich and satisfying. Nowhere does this feel like deprivation or diet food.
It’s Skinny noodles are plant-based and naturally gluten-free. They’re perfect for keto, low-carb, and low-calorie diets. It’s the ideal answer for those times when you’re busy but still want something you can feel good about.
And this pasta feels good. It’s the ultimate lesson in taking a few simple ingredients and creating an unforgettable flavor. The first bite is all about creaminess, thanks to real butter and heavy cream. The sauce is velvety, coating each noodle in indulgent goodness.
But before you get too settled into the creamy comfort territory, the exciting peppery kick cuts through with a bright, bold, spicy flavor. The warmth and depth are sure to wake up your mouth and make this meal feel like a true treat.
Unlike many of the overly processed cheese sauces on the “ready-to-eat” shelves, It’s Skinny Cacio e Pepe tastes REAL. You’ll get that sharp tang from Pecorino-style cheese, a natural saltiness, and a satisfying finish that keeps you coming back for more of this crave-worthy combination.
Bold, buttery, peppery, and smooth—this dish has it all, and the big secret is that it only takes minutes to prepare!
How to Enjoy It’s Skinny Cacio e Pepe
Looking for healthy, ready-meal ideas? It's Skinny Cacio e Pepe is so satisfying all by itself, but even better—it plays well with others! Round out your meal with sides and add-ins for a great low-carb lunch or dinner.
What are a few low-carb ideas to pair with Cacio e Pepe? The garden is always one of our favorite spots. Try pairing this pasta with a roasted veggie like broccoli, zucchini, or asparagus.
Pasta dishes never met a side salad they didn’t like, and this one is no exception. Try a salad of arugula with a lemon vinaigrette to add some brightness and balance the rich sauce.
Looking for a protein boost? Cacio e pepe is a great place for protein additions. Try grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a soft-boiled egg. The creamy sauce goes very well with any simple, well-seasoned proteins.
Whether you’re a meal prepper or a low-carb eater who wants a break from routine, It’s Skinny Cacio e Pepe is a great option. With a few add-ons, you can make a rotation of dinners and lunches that feel exciting and fresh (but with minimal effort—love that)!
It’s Skinny Pasta is konjac based, so no matter what you add in, you're starting out on the right foot with a fraction of calories and carbs. This low-carb pasta is an excellent choice whether you're on keto, going gluten-free, or simply changing your eating habits.
Trying All the It’s Skinny Healthy Ready Meals
So, how does Cacio e Pepe stand up to its counterparts, Our Skinny Mac and Truffle Parm Risotto? We say try all three to keep your menu exciting and fun.
Cacio e Pepe is the spicy member of the lineup with a bold, pepper-forward twist. Like our Skinny Mac, it's still ultra cheesy and creamy but with a flavor profile that's a little more grown up and sophisticated.
Skinny Mac hits those nostalgia and mellow comfort notes, while Cacio e Pepe brings in a kick and elegance. It’s the pasta you’ll reach for when you’re craving something cozy but luxurious. This one feels like a restaurant-worthy dish.
Like all It's Skinny products, our healthy, ready-to-eat meals are low-carb, gluten-free, and ready in a flash. It all depends on your mood!
Even if you want a restaurant-quality meal, you'd probably prefer to skip the prep time and cleanup. Cacio e Pepe does it. It's vegetarian, perfect for flexitarians or anyone who's just looking for guilt-free comfort foods.
You can stock up your pantry with It’s Skinny products. They’re shelf-stable and so easy to prepare. It’s the perfect way to ensure you’re ready whenever cravings hit—and you don’t want to compromise.
This dish is part of our Ready-to-Eat line, which means no extra preparation or complicated ingredients. Just heat with butter and cream, stir, and enjoy. You're going to love this pasta fix for its rich flavor and great stats. When you want low-carb, convenient comfort, this one delivers with a spicy little kick!
