Updated on November 9th, 2022
Acini di pepe is a peppercorn-shaped pasta with an extremely small round shape. Although the name translates to “peppercorn,” this is not a good estimate of its size. Acini di pepe is much smaller than peppercorns, roughly the size of a single grain of couscous.
Acini di pepe, traditionally made with semolina flour, is used in lighter dishes such as soups and salads. Acini di pepe pasta is used in the best ways in recipes like Italian Wedding Soup, Acini di Pepe Salad, and Acini di Pepe Soup.
However, no matter how well-prepared you are in the kitchen, there are times when a substitute is required, and you may be wondering what the best options are.
Orzo, tubettini, angel hair pasta, ditalini, orecchiette, pastina, and stelline are the best pasta substitutes in general. The best vegan substitutes are Israeli-style couscous, fregola, and anellini. Falabella, a company specializing in making this specialty acini di pepe, even offers a gluten-free option.
However, no matter how well-prepared you are in the kitchen, there are times when a substitute is required, and you may be wondering what the best options are.
Here are Best Acni di Pepe Substitutes
When you’re in a jam, the right substitute can make all the difference. Though pasta is pasta, certain shapes and sizes work best as substitutes for acini di pepe, a small pasta.
1. Orzo
Orzo, which is small and rice-shaped, is also made from semolina, making it pasta. Orzo has a mild flavor and a firm texture that makes it popular in soups and cold salads. Despite its slightly larger size, its versatility in the kitchen makes it an excellent substitute for acini di pepe.
Orzo salad is one of the most popular recipes using this unusual pasta. Orzo is a great acini di pepe substitute in frog eye salads like this one.
Because of the larger size, it takes slightly longer to cook. Acini di pepe is typically boiled for 4 to 9 minutes, whereas orzo would require 8 to 10 minutes to achieve the same texture and flavor.
As a result, a slightly smaller amount of orzo would be used to replace acini di pepe in recipes; for any recipe that calls for 6 to 8 ounces of acini di pepe, substitute 4 to 6 ounces of orzo.
2. Tubertini
Tubertini is a small tube-shaped pasta. Tubertini has either a smooth or ridged texture (Tubertini rigati). Like acini di pepe, this small pasta is made from semolina but is slightly larger. Tubertini is ideal for soups, stews, and some salads, and it works well in Minestrone and as an acini di pepe substitute in frog eye salad.
It’s critical to substitute correctly because tubettini are slightly larger than the acini di pepe you’re attempting to replace. Keep in mind that tubettini will take longer to cook than acini di pepe. This pasta should be cooked for 9 to 11 minutes, slightly longer than orzo.
When making the substitute, less tubettini pasta is also required. For example, 1/3 cup acini di pepe equals 2 ounces of pasta, whereas 1/3 cup tubettini equals 5.5 ounces. While cooking, reduce the amount of recommended use in the recipe by half.
3. Angel Hair Pasta
Angel hair pasta is a type of spaghetti with extremely thin strands. Though not an exact substitute for acini di pepe, it will suffice in a pinch. If you can only find angel hair pasta rather than acini di pepe, you can cut the longer strands into smaller pieces and use those instead.
This type of pasta works well in most pasta dishes and salads. Substituting acini di pepe with angel hair pasta will certainly require some skill and guesswork. However, once you’ve crumpled it to the size you prefer, keep in mind that 2 ounces of angel hair pasta, or one serving, yields about a cup of cooked pasta.
As a result, it is best to start with half the amount specified in the recipe; for example, if the recipe calls for 6 ounces, start with 3 ounces of angel hair pasta.
4. Ditalini
Ditalini is a small tube-shaped pasta that can be smooth or with ridges known as rigatti. The name ditalini translates to “little thimbles,” roughly what this small pasta looks like. Their traditional application is in Pasta E Fagioli or other pasta and bean soups. Their shape is similar to tubettini, but they are nearly twice as large.
Despite their larger size, they cook at about the same time as Tubertini. This pasta requires up to 6 quarts of water and should be cooked for 8 to 10 minutes.
As a result, fewer ditalini are required to achieve the same result as the recipe in acini di pepe. Because they are larger, it is best, to begin with, half of the required amount.
5. Orecchiette
This pasta, which translates as “little ears,” does resemble a small ear. There are two sizes available, one about the size of a thumbnail and the other about 12 to 34 inches wide. The smaller two commonly replace other pasta such as orzo or acini di pepe, though they may not be as widely available.
As a result, fewer ditalini are required to achieve the same result as the recipe in acini di pepe. Because they are larger, it is best, to begin with, half of the required amount.
Orecchiette is larger than acini di pepe, so keep that in mind when substituting. To avoid overcooking the dish, start with half the amount specified in the recipe.
The good news is that the cooking time is nearly identical. Cooking time for fresh orecchiette is about 5 minutes, and cooking time for dry orecchiette is about 20 minutes.
Although orecchiette is not a common pasta shape, it can be used in some delicious recipes (such as orecchiette with sausage and broccoli and One Pan Orecchiette).
6. Pastina
It adds a rich flavor to any soup of your choice, making it ideal for Minestrone or vegetable soup. Pastina has no specific shape, but it is one of the smallest pasta available, making it excellent for children.
Many Italian children, where the pasta is most commonly used, remember growing up with this tiny pasta fondly. Pastina cooks quickly in about 5 minutes in 4 to 6 quarts of boiling water due to its small size.
The key is to find a small enough filter so that no pasta is lost while cooking. Because patina is the smallest pasta made, it may be best to add a little more to the recipe.
If a recipe calls for 6 ounces of acini di pepe, use 7 or 8 so the pasta doesn’t get lost in the dish.
7. Stelline
This one-of-a-kind pasta is made with durum, wheat flour, and water, with the addition of eggs on occasion. Stelline, or little stars, is the pasta that most Italian children grow up loving. Because of their star shape, they are ideal for children to enjoy. Furthermore, their small size ensures that they cook quickly and are ideal for soups.
These little stars are quick to prepare, and it only takes 6 minutes to cook them to the perfect al dente texture that most people look for in pasta. Because they are small, they are an excellent substitute for acini di pepe without the need for conversion.
Use the amount specified in the recipe for a sufficient amount of pasta if you don’t mind the star shape.
Best Vegan Acini di Pepe Substitutes
Vegan alternatives are the best substitutes for various reasons, including allergies. The following are some of the most common and useful vegan substitutes.
1. Israeli-style Couscous
Osem invented it in Tel Aviv in the 1950s, and it has a chewy, buttery flavor that has become a staple in Israeli cuisine. Israeli couscous resembles orzo and is roughly the size of tapioca pearls. Semolina and flour are combined to make these pearls, then boiled in water or broth. This couscous is ideal for salads or adding dry to various soups.
Israeli couscous takes about twice as long to cook as acini di pepe. This couscous, like most pasta, is boiled for about 10 minutes, tasting as you go for the right consistency. Because they are similar to orzo, start with a smaller amount, roughly 1 ounce for every 2 ounces of acini di pepe.
2. Fregola
This ancient semolina pasta, a specialty of the Sardinian region of Italy, is also known as Sardinian Couscous. These small beads are made of semolina flour and water and were traditionally sun-dried before toasted.
Because it has a slightly nutty flavor, this substitute works well in soups, pasta salads, and baked pasta. This substitute may be more difficult to find than others because it is only available in Italian cuisine stores, though we can order it online like most things.
Fregola pasta is also made of small balls, but they are larger than acini di pepe; because of their slightly larger size, it’s perfectly acceptable to reduce the amount specified in the recipe by about a third. However, the cooking time is nearly increased from 4 to 9 minutes to double to 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Anellini
Anellini are small pasta rings commonly used in salads and some baked pasta dishes. Sphaghettis uses the cousin of the anellini, the Anelli, to visualize the shape of this small pasta. This pasta is not as widely available as many other substitutes, but We can find it in the pasta aisle of some grocery stores or an Italian market.
Anellini takes about the same amount of time to cook as acini di pepe, between 6 and 8 minutes rather than 4 to 9. The desired texture will determine the time variation, so taste as you go.
Although anellini is a small paste, it is slightly larger than acini di pepe, so you must account for the size difference when determining the appropriate amount.
Use a little less than the recipe calls for; if it calls for 6 to 8 ounces of acini di pepe, start with 4 to 6 ounces of anellini to avoid overpowering the dish.
Gluten-Free Acini di Pepe Substitutes
1. Acini di Pepe Gluten Free
Most of the substitutes mentioned are pasta, making a gluten-free diet difficult to maintain. However, after years of research and development, a company called Farabella introduced gluten-free acini di pepe.
There’s no need to use different pasta; buy gluten-free acini di pepe, which We can find in some supermarkets and online. This fantastic option eliminates the need to alter the recipe; use the gluten-free acini di pepe instead of the regular one.
Let’s Take a Look at Some Quick Recipes
1. Acini di Pepe Salad
This salad is made with Acini di pepe, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and other nutritious ingredients that result in a delicious taste. So, if someone doesn’t like salad, you can make this salad to persuade them otherwise.
2. Patina (Acini de Pepe) Recipe
This delectable dish contains chicken broth, pastina pasta, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. If you like chicken and pasta, you should try this. And you’ll get to see what these two have in store for you.
3. Acini Di Pepe Soup
This simple, quick, and delicious soup contain Acini di pepe, parmesan rind, chicken broth, and parmesan. You can make this recipe in a matter of minutes; you could even call it a last-minute recipe because We can make it in minutes.
4. Frog Eye Salad (Acini di Pepe Salad)
This Frog Eye Salad is a traditional sweet side dish with an unfortunate name. Acini di pepe, pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and marshmallows are tossed in a sweet, creamy custard sauce. It’s ideal for potlucks and holiday dinners!
5. Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad
This is one of several dishes you can bring to a neighborhood get-together, and it will undoubtedly be a hit! Combining the two will be an exciting and enjoyable adventure if you like pasta salads and fruit salads! You will enjoy putting this one together and will most likely do so again and again.
What is the Distinction Between Couscous and Acini di Pepe?
The two will taste identical in many recipes, but there are differences. Of course, because they have a small pearl shape, they are a great substitute for each other, even though they have different tastes.
Couscous has a slightly nuttier flavor that We can cover up with other seasonings, but some people may not find it a suitable substitute.
Is Acini di Pepe a Vegetarian Food?
Acini di pepe is a type of vegetarian pasta. Nothing is vegetarian in this dish, made with semolina, durum flour, and water. It complements many vegetarian dishes, particularly soups and pasta. It is not gluten-free, but We can substitute it in most recipes.
How Should Acini di Pepe be Prepared?
Cooking this small pasta is simple; after all, We can indefinitely store the box on your shelf. Acini di pepe can be cooked right into the broth with the rest of the ingredients in soups.
It expands significantly, so make sure you stick to the recipe. If you’re cooking it separately, start by bringing the water to a boil and then adding the pasta. Cooking time ranges from 4 to 9 minutes, depending on volume. Remember that if you leave it in water, it will continue to absorb water and expand.
Is Pastina the Same as Acini di Pepe?
Acini di pepe translates as “pepper seeds.” They were and still are considered a fertility symbol, so they are used in Italian wedding soup. Pastina (Italian for “tiny dough””) is another name for them; however, some pasta makers distinguish pastina as smaller than acini di pepe.
Conclusion
Acini di Pepe is a type of pasta commonly used in soups and pasta salads. When added to a soup or pasta salad, the flavor will stand out. Acini di Pepe is high in both protein and fiber. While Acini di Pepe has a high carbohydrate content, it is lower than many other types of pasta. You may employ any of them and enjoy your meal.