Updated on April 9th, 2023
Quite a few varieties of pasta capture attention, like campanelle. This impressively-designed ingredient pops in any dish it’s included, which explains why many Italian recipes employ its use. Campanelle is also an exquisite addition to pasta-based dishes and can feature recipes outside Italian cuisine. But you can’t always have this exotic pasta in your pantry, which calls for the need for a substitute.
Here, we’ll offer you options to replace campanelle and highlight how they compare with the original deal. And as you go along, you’ll realize how handy these substitutes can be and the ways they help fill the void left behind by a lack of campanelle pasta.
What is Campanelle Pasta?
Campanelle is short pasta fashioned such that it looks like a ruffle-edged cone. Its unique shape is also reminiscent of a bellflower, so its name directly translates to ‘little bells’ in Italian. It’s also called Gigli, or handbells, mostly made from durum wheat, like most pasta. And Campanella’s unique form makes it an appealing addition to many recipes, especially those that heavily depend on aesthetics.
The shape of Campanella pasta is gentle yet sturdy, with thin, fluted edges of the petal-like design. This form allows the pasta to capture sauce and is why it’s included in such dishes. Campanelle is a member of the extensive family of short pasta, renowned for its hollow design and intricate forms.
Uses of Campanelle Pasta in Recipes
Campanelle pasta’s hollow shape makes it perfect in sauces, as it captures the fluid in its space, offering extra flavor. And it works excellently with dairy-based sauces. It’s also welcome in sauces rich in chunky vegetables like pumpkin, lentils, and artichokes and also pairs well with meat-based dishes. And because it’s great with lean proteins, you can also combine campanelle with fish and seafood.
You’ll also find campanelle in fruit-based salads, where its intricate shape adds appeal to the colorful dish. And it transfers this aesthetic advantage to any dish it’s included, which is why it features numerous gourmet dishes and exquisite dinner menus. Plus, its impressive shape is so catchy that most featured recipes are named after it. And its alluring shape and tasty blend with many food ingredients makes it a popular inclusion in recipes such as;
- Brown butter and corn pasta
- Campanelle with kale and mushrooms
- Soups
- Roasted chicken
- Pasta with leeks and sausage
- Burst cherry tomato pasta
- Corn, egg, and bacon pasta
- Cheesy Italian goulash
- Campanelle with beans and sausages
- Campanelle with spinach, lemon, cheese, and toasted almonds
- Vegetable pasta salad
- Chicken pasta
- Campanelle with Puttanesca sauce
- One-pot pasta
- Roasted tomato and artichoke pasta
- One-pot chicken con broccoli
- Pasta with crispy prosciutto and caramelized mushrooms
- Rustic pasta ross with tomatoes and tuna
- Fruity pasta salads
- Pasta with basil cream sauce
- Mac and cheese
- Beefy taco pasta
- Campanelle with eggs and capers
- Easy campanelle with greens and pancetta
- Borscht pasta salad
Substitutes for Campanelle Pasta
Campanelle is one of the most exquisitely designed pasta varieties in Italian cuisine. But it comes with a drawback. As one of the most impressive options on the market, it may not always be around you.
But never fear, as other substitutes can replace campanelle pasta in your recipes. And below, you’ll find convenient options that’ll give your dish both a captivating appearance and similar palatability.
Cavatappi
- Authentic Italian Cavatappi – Enjoy the rich, authentic taste of Italy with this classic corkscrew pasta shape, crafted using traditional techniques.
- 100% Durum Wheat Semolina – Made exclusively from premium durum wheat for a firm texture and exceptional taste, perfect for absorbing sauces.
- Organic & Non-GMO – Produced with organic, non-GMO ingredients to ensure a pure, natural pasta without additives.
This pasta has a unique corkscrew shape that reminds you of macaroni. But this doesn’t take away its aesthetic appeal, making it ideal for replacing campanelle. Cavatappi is also hollow-shaped like campanelle, meaning it’ll capture sauces and dressings, giving you a similar experience. And it works in creamy sauces, salads, and baked dishes and pairs well with meats, vegetables, and fish.
Cannelloni
- Cannolicchi Pasta: This unique short tube pasta is crafted from high-quality durum wheat semolina, mimicking the shape of razor shell clams from the Adriatic Sea.
- Beautifully Shaped: The tight, twisted flat strip design retains its form during cooking, capturing sauces perfectly for a delightful dining experience.
- Perfect Pairings: Ideal for serving with clams, mussels, or any shellfish sauce, as well as in fish soups or tossed with pesto and string beans.
- Authentic Italian Craftsmanship: Made in Abruzzo, Italy, Rustichella d’Abruzzo pasta reflects traditional Italian culinary excellence.
- Quick Cooking Time: Cooks to perfection in just 10-12 minutes, making it an easy choice for flavorful meals.
Cannelloni is still an easier pasta variety to find compared to campanelle, so you get a convenient option with it as a substitute. Plus, it has a long tube shape so that the hollow will hold fluids from soups, sauces, and dressings. But cannelloni works best in baked dishes, and you can find it in different sizes. Plus, you can use the larger types for stuffed recipes and fill the hollows with cheese, meats, and sauces.
Fusilli
- AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PASTA – Made With Premium Durum Wheat
- EASY COOKING – Done in 13 Minutes, Simple cooking instructions on the package
- PREMIUM QUALITY – Makes a Great Authentic Tasting Pasta Dish when Used with Our Premium Tomato Products
- NOTHING ARTIFICIAL – No Artificial Flavors or Ingredients
- CERTIFIED – Certified Kosher, Yoshon
Unlike campanelle, fusilli come in a twisted shape. But while it may look different from campanelle, it does share a similar texture and cooks just as fast. Fusilli is also easy to find in grocery stores, making it a convenient replacement to consider. And it works in everything, from salads to sauces, dressings, soups, and baked dishes.
Penne
- PENNE PASTA: The ridges of Penne make it ideal for retaining sauces on the entire surface, inside and out; Stock up with this pack of 12, 16-ounce boxes of penne pasta
- BARILLA PASTA: Made with durum wheat to deliver great taste and perfect “al dente” texture every time
- CREATE DELICIOUS PASTA MEALS: Pair penne pasta with a chunkier meat or vegetable-based pasta sauce, a refined dairy-based pasta sauce, tomato sauce, or a spicy sauce
- COOKS TO PERFECTION EVERY TIME: Perfect pasta in 11-12 minutes
- NON-GMO & KOSHER CERTIFIED PASTA: Barilla Penne pasta is crafted with the highest quality Non-GMO ingredients and is kosher certified
Penne may not share Campanella’s unique, eye-catching design, but it offers a hollow shape that holds sauces and dressings just as well. And it’s a popular pasta type, which is regularly featured in many dishes. Penne works best in salads but can also be added to sauces and baked dishes. And for sauces, it performs best when the consistency is creamy, rich, and thick.
Rigatoni
- Pack of five, 16-ounce, total of 80-ounce
- One pound dry pasta yields 2.6 pounds cooked pasta
- O.U. Kosher certified
- Made in Italy
- Please note: the date printed on the box is the production date. First 3 digits refer to the Julian Date (001= Jan 1, 365 = Dec 31), next two digits are the year. Shelf life is three years from production date.
Rigatoni comes in numerous sizes, so you get options in terms of length and diameter. And it’s another common option you can find, as it features in almost anything that’s pasta-related. Rigatoni has a common tube shape, so it may not be what you expect in terms of aesthetics. But once added to sauces and dressings, it’ll still offer a compelling effect as the hollow shape easily holds liquid. You can also use rigatoni in baked dishes, and it pairs well with hearty dishes made with meat or fish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to cook campanelle?
Campanelle takes about seven to 10 minutes to cook fully, regardless of what recipe it’s used in, and this makes it one of the quickest-cooking pasta varieties available.
Is campanelle vegan?
Campanelle is produced from durum wheat, making it vegan-friendly. And most varieties are also non-GMO verified. Most campanelle varieties are also nut-free and suitable for allergies and sensitivities.
What type of pasta is campanelle?
Campanelle is best described as shaped pasta, and its name is derivative of the bell-like shape it takes. It’s also a short pasta and is one of the most eye-catching varieties of the family.
Conclusion
You don’t have to toss out that pasta recipe because you don’t have campanelle. While it makes a fantastic addition to any dish, the pasta is still replaceable. Here, we’ve highlighted what makes campanelle pasta so appealing and offer replacements when you don’t have it in stock. So, when next you’re out of Gigli, give these substitutes a shot, and you’ll be pleased with the result.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API