Acini di Pepe are tiny little balls of pasta named for their tiny “peppercorn” shape. Small and spherical, Acini di Pepe pasta is best known as the star of the beloved classic, Italian Wedding Soup. This tiny pastina, or soup cut, is usually baby’s first pasta in Italy, so there is a soft spot in most Italian’s heart for this nostalgic pasta shape.

DeLallo Pasta comes from the town where pasta was born, a region near Naples, at the beginning of the Amalfi Coast. The art of making our pasta begins with the very best quality wheat. We carefully choose wheat with the highest gluten index, gluten content and protein content. All of these characteristics affect how the pasta cooks, as well as its taste and texture. The durum wheat is milled into coarse ground semolina flour and then carefully kneaded with cold, fresh, mineral-rich mountain spring water. We dry our pasta slowly at low temperatures to reproduce the traditional way of making pasta. This method respects the ingredients, preserving the pasta’s color, texture and aroma.

• Made in Italy with an exclusive blend of the highest quality durum wheat.
• Extruded slowly for a remarkable texture.
• Always cooks up al dente.
• A tiny pasta known as pastina, perfect for soups.
• Made in a Peanut, Tree Nut, and Egg free facility

Kitchen and Usage Tips:

Acini di Pepe is a little pasta, or pastina, known as a soup cut in broth-based soups like the famous Italian Wedding Soup, Acini di Pepe is more than a soup cut. Serve it as an excellent couscous-style side dish or cold pasta salad loaded with veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is Acini di Pepe? Acini di Pepe is a tiny pasta shape known as pastina. Named for their small spherical “peppercorn” shape, Acini di Pepe pasta is best known for its role in the beloved Italian Wedding Soup. 

What Does Acini di Pepe Mean In Italian? Acini di Pepe means “seeds of pepper” referring to its small round peppercorn shape.

What Is The Difference Between Acini di Pepe And Pastina? Pastina is just a term that means “little pasta,” referring to pasta the is smaller than 1-2mm in diameter. Acini di Pepe is a tiny round pasta that is classified as pastina.

What Is The Difference Between Acini di Pepe And Orzo? Orzo is larger than Acini di Pepe with a barley-like shape; whereas, Acini di Pepe is shaped like tiny peppercorns. Both are little pasta shapes known as pastina.

Learn more about pasta shapes.

What Is The Difference Between Acini di Pepe And Couscous? Acini di Pepe and couscous are both made with durum wheat semolina, but are different for many reasons. Couscous are made with coarser toasted grains, giving couscous a nuttier flavor and a fluffier texture when cooked al dente. They also tend to cook up a bit larger than Acini di Pepe. 

What Is Acini di Pepe Used For? Acini di Pepe pasta is a tiny spherical pasta known as a feature in broth-based soups like Italian Wedding Soup. Acini di Pepe is more than a soup cut, but can be served as a couscous substitute in side dishes, grain bowls and cold pasta salads.

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