Ingredients

Coarse salt

12 ounces spaghetti

1 1/2 cups finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese (4 ounces)

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta; return to pot.

To pasta in pot, add 1 cup reserved pasta water. Gradually add 1 cup Pecorino, tossing constantly with tongs until cheese is melted; add pepper. Toss to coat pasta lightly; if desired, gradually add a little more pasta water to thin. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, and serve immediately.