Pan-fried cacio e pepe rice sformato

The pan-fried rice sformato with cacio e pepe is a simple and tasty dish that takes inspiration from the traditional cacio e pepe pasta, a great classic of Roman cuisine. Let’s see how to turn this delight into a rice sformato.

Ingredients

• 300 g of Arborio or Carnaroli rice
• 1 liter of vegetable broth (you can use less depending on the rice absorption)
• 200 g of grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
• 30 g of butter
• Extra virgin olive oil

Optional:

• 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan (for an Italo-international variant)

Preparation

1. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a pot.
2. In another pot, lightly toast the rice with a drizzle of oil until it becomes translucent.
3. Begin adding the hot broth to the rice, one ladle at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding the next one. Continue until the rice is cooked to al dente (this will take about 15-18 minutes).
4. At the end of cooking, remove the rice from the heat and add the butter, grated Pecorino Romano, and a generous grinding of black pepper. Stir well to create a cream with the cheese and rice. Taste and adjust for salt if necessary.
5. Let the rice cool for a few minutes, then grease a non-stick pan with a little oil and transfer the rice into it.
6. Level the rice well with the back of a spoon and cook over medium-low heat until a golden crust forms on the bottom, about 5-7 minutes.
7. With the help of a plate, flip the sformato and cook the other side until golden.
8. Serve immediately.

Curiosity

Cacio e pepe pasta is a humble dish from Roman traditions that, with its simplicity of ingredients, can infuse warmth and taste. The use of the sformato is a creative way to reinterpret the classic dishes of Italian cuisine, paying homage to its versatility. Remember that the secret to good cacio e pepe lies in the perfect emulsion of the cheese with the cooking water and pepper: even with the sformato, make sure to work these elements well to achieve a smooth and velvety cream.