Best 8 Acini De Pepe Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Acini de pepe pasta salad is a delightful Italian dish that combines the flavors of fresh vegetables, herbs, and tangy dressing. Originating from Rome, this salad is a staple of Italian summer cuisine and is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light meals. Acini de pepe, meaning "peppercorns" in Italian, are small, round pasta that resemble peppercorns and add a delightful texture to the salad. The dressing, typically made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs, adds a zesty and refreshing flavor. This versatile salad allows for variations, such as adding grilled or roasted chicken, seafood, or different types of vegetables. With its vibrant colors, delicious taste, and ease of preparation, acini de pepe pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser that showcases the culinary treasures of Italy.

**Additional Recipe Ideas:**

* **Acini de Pepe Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken:** This recipe adds succulent grilled chicken to the salad, creating a protein-packed and flavorful main course.


* **Acini de Pepe Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables:** Roasting vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness and adds a vibrant touch to the salad.


* **Acini de Pepe Pasta Salad with Seafood:** Incorporate shrimp, scallops, or salmon to create a seafood-inspired pasta salad that is perfect for summer gatherings.


* **Acini de Pepe Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts:** The addition of sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts adds a Mediterranean flair to the classic recipe, creating a tantalizing combination of textures and flavors.


Whichever variation you choose, acini de pepe pasta salad is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ACINI DI PEPE PASTA SALAD RECIPE



Acini di Pepe Pasta Salad Recipe image

Try a new noodle with this acini di pepe pasta salad. Fresh asparagus, corn, tomatoes, and pepe pasta with yogurt, dill and Parmesan dressing.

Provided by Lori Yates

Categories     Pasta

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 ounces acini di pepe pasta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 leek (white and light green parts only), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

Steps:

  • In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add leek and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add asparagus and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
  • In large bowl, stir together yogurt, cheese, dill, salt and pepper. Add corn, tomatoes, pasta and asparagus mixture; toss until well combined. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 223 calories, Carbohydrate 23 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 25 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 10 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 13 grams protein, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 354 milligrams sodium, Sugar 5 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams unsaturated fat

ACINI DI PEPE SALAD



Acini di Pepe Salad image

Looking for a quick lunch idea? I blend veggies, tiny pasta and juicy pineapple bits into one of my crunchy, creamy acini di pepe recipes. This is my favorite. -June Herke, Watertown, South Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup uncooked acini di pepe pasta
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup whipped topping
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
Dash celery seed
3/4 cup chopped fresh cauliflower
1 snack-size cup (4 ounces) pineapple tidbits, drained
1/3 cup frozen peas, partially thawed
1 tablespoon raisins
Optional: Lettuce leaves and minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, whipped topping, onion and celery seed. Add cauliflower, pineapple, peas, raisins and pasta; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. If desired, serve on a lettuce-lined plate and sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 284mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

ACINI DI PEPE SALAD



Acini di Pepe Salad image

Acini di pepe is the Italian word for peppercorns. Any tiny round-shaped pasta works well in this chilled fruit salad. Great in the summer, but my family asks for it every holiday. Every time I bring this to a party I get requests for the recipe.

Provided by CORTAB0408

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Fruit Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup acini di pepe pasta
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained with liquid reserved
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
7 ounces miniature marshmallows
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain.
  • In medium saucepan, combine reserved liquids from pineapple and oranges (equals about 1 1/2 cups), sugar, eggs, salt and flour. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. When mixture becomes thick, add cooked pasta and refrigerate overnight.
  • The next day, add pineapple and oranges, whipped topping and marshmallows to taste. Mix together and top with cherries if desired. Keep chilled until served.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 calories, Carbohydrate 98.7 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 194.9 mg, Sugar 61.3 g

ACINI DI PEPE SALAD



Acini di Pepe Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 26m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups acini di pepe pasta, or any small pasta such as orzo
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup yellow grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 cup finely sliced radicchio
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1 1/2 cups basil leaves, torn into large pieces
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • Toss the pasta with the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt. Fold in the tomatoes, pine nuts, radicchio, onion, and basil. Sprinkle with the feta cheese.
  • Serve at room temperature.

ACINI DE PEPE (PASTA) PUDDING



Acini De Pepe (Pasta) Pudding image

This recipe was my Grandma's. I found this recipe in her recipe box after she had passed away, I was going through her recipes to make sure I had all of her "special" recipes so I could pass them down to my children. When I came across it, I asked my mother what it was because of the name on the recipe I was basically...

Provided by Michelle Antonacci

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 c acini de pepe (pasta)
1 can(s) of pineapple tidbits (large)
1 can(s) of mandrin oranges (large)
3/4 c sugar
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp (heaping) flour
1 small cool whip
1 jar(s) maraschino cherries (halved) optional

Steps:

  • 1. Drain all of your fruit and reserve the juice. Keep the fruit in a container in your fridge.
  • 2. Cook pasta and set aside to cool.
  • 3. Combine your fruit juice, sugar, eggs and flour, cook on medium heat until thick.
  • 4. Poor thickened mixture over the pasta and refrigerate overnight.
  • 5. Next day, re drain your fruit and add into the pasta. Fold in your cool whip and serve! :)

LEMON PEPPER ACINI DI PEPE



Lemon Pepper Acini di Pepe image

Provided by Melissa Roberts

Categories     Pasta     Side     Dinner     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6 (side dish)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups acini di pepe (less than 1 pound)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook acini di pepe in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water (2 teaspoons salt for 3 quart water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.
  • Melt butter in same pot with oil. Remove from heat and stir in pasta, cheese, zest, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup cooking water (add more to moisten if necessary).

ACINI DI PEPE SALAD



Acini Di Pepe Salad image

A recipe from my Aunt Patty. There are recipes like this on 'Zaar, but this is a bit different in it's preparation and ingredients. An ambrosia type salad, this is good for a winter dessert or a summer barbeque. Cooking time includes refrigeration.

Provided by BothFex

Categories     Fruit

Time P1DT1h5m

Yield 1 Large Salad

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb acini di pepe pasta (look in the latin section of your grocery)
1 3/4 cups pineapple juice
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons flour
3 beaten eggs
3 -4 cups chopped fruit (grapes, Mandarin oranges, pears, and peaches are good)
16 ounces Cool Whip
chopped nuts (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta per box directions. Drain and rinse when done then set aside to cool.
  • Heat pineapple juice, sugar, salt, flour, and eggs over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.
  • When both pasta and pineapple juice mixture are cool, combine them then refrigerate in an airtight container overnight.
  • Next day: stir in fruit and nuts (if desired). Fold in Cool-Whip. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes enough for a big crowd!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 4417.6, Fat 137.3, SaturatedFat 104.8, Cholesterol 634.5, Sodium 1518, Carbohydrate 714.4, Fiber 15.9, Sugar 357.3, Protein 87.2

FROG EYE SALAD



Frog Eye Salad image

An acini di pepe (or couscous) pasta salad with coconut, pineapple, Mandarin oranges, and marshmallows.

Provided by Judy Awe

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Fruit Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 14h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ¾ cups unsweetened pineapple juice
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 quarts water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (16 ounce) package acini di pepe pasta
3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 (20 ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup shredded coconut

Steps:

  • In a sauce pan, combine sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pineapple juice and eggs. Stir and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat; add lemon juice and cool to room temperature.
  • Bring water to a boil, add oil, remaining salt and cook pasta until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, egg mixture, mandarin oranges, pineapple and whipped topping. Mix well and refrigerate overnight or until chilled. Before serving add marshmallows and coconut. Toss and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 580.6 calories, Carbohydrate 114.1 g, Cholesterol 37.2 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 8.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 647.7 mg, Sugar 74.5 g

Tips:

  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will help the pasta to hold its shape and not become mushy in the salad.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, flavor, and texture to the salad. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini.
  • Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. You can always add more dressing if needed, but it's hard to take it away.
  • Let the salad chill before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing. This will make the salad even more delicious.

Conclusion:

Acini de pepe pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is made with small pasta, fresh vegetables, and a light and flavorful dressing. This salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful salad, give acini de pepe pasta salad a try.

Related Topics