De Cecco Acini Di Pepe No. 78 Pasta – Premium Bronze-Drawn Italian Pasta for Gourmet Cooking, 16 Oz
De Cecco Acini Di Pepe No. 78 Pasta – Premium Bronze-Drawn Italian Pasta for Gourmet Cooking, 16 Oz
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Why you'll love it
- Heritage authenticity from a brand making pasta in Italy since 1886
- Bronze-drawn, slow-dried process delivers a rougher surface that holds sauce better
- Genuine 'fresh pasta' aroma, flavor, and firm al dente texture versus mass-market pasta
- Tiny Acini Di Pepe shape is fun for kids and ideal for clear broths and baby food
- Wide shape variety (Cavatappi, Orecchiette, Penne Rigate, Paccheri, Elbows, etc.) covers virtually any Italian recipe
- Multi-pack bundles (3-pack, 4-pack) provide pantry value and shape variety in one purchase
- Home-made taste and chewy-yet-tender texture
- Made with high-grade / real flour
- No GMO / has vitamins
- Holds shape without breaking up in water
- Ridges (rigate) are excellent for grabbing sauce
- Consistent quality across the product line
Perfect for
- Cooking traditional Italian soups and consommé with Acini Di Pepe or Farfalline
- Preparing baby food and toddler-friendly vegetable soups with tiny pasta shapes
- Making family pasta dinners with versatile shapes like Penne Rigate, Farfalle, or Orecchiette
- Building a premium multi-shape pasta pantry using 3-pack and 4-pack bundles
- Creating thick, creamy or velvety soups enhanced with croutons or julienned vegetables
- Baked tuna casserole with mushroom soup, tuna, vegetables, and grated cheese
- Served plain with oil, salt, black olives, or mayonnaise
- Hearty meat ragu, creamy pesto, or simple tomato sauce pairings
Product Information
Brand : DE CECCO PASTA Country of Origin : UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Exceptional De Cecco aroma, flavor and consistency De Cecco pasta easily cooks to perfection, has a great firm texture and a delicious ''fresh'' pasta taste
Product Dimensions : 1.94 x 3.99 x 5.76 inches; 1 Pounds Item model number : 0024094070787 UPC : 024094570782 024094070787 Manufacturer : De Cecco Pasta Units : 16 Fluid Ounces Best Sellers Rank: #3,523 in Grocery & Gourmet Food De Cecco gently grinds the heart of each grain, mixes it with cold spring water, then kneads the dough slowly. This results in pasta with the exceptional de Cecco aroma, flavor, and consistency. Pasta easily cooks to perfection, has a great firm texture, and a delicious “fresh” pasta taste. It has a rougher surface, which helps the sauce stick to it. Since 1886 we have liked our pasta to be bronze drawn and slowly dried because we like it to fall into the plate full of taste, rough and always "al dente". Even though our taste has not changed, as we feel the same love for tradition, we have continued to improve our production technologies. Make de Cecco pasta the secret ingredient for your most amazing dishes.Buon Appetito! Acini di Pepe (peppercorns) belong to the minute pasta family to be cooked in broth. This pasta shape was undoubtedly invented to stimulate the imagination of children who commonly eat this pasta in baby food and vegetable soups. It is shaped like peppercorns and is fun and appealing. It is especially good for preparing clear soups such as broths or consommé, enhanced with croutons or vegetables cut in julienne strips. This pasta can be used in thick creamy or velvety soups. Available in 16.0 oz pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes De Cecco a premium pasta brand worth paying more for?
De Cecco has crafted pasta in Italy since 1886 using bronze dies and a slow, low-temperature drying process that protects aroma, nutrition, and creates a sauce-gripping rough surface you simply cannot find in mass-market pasta.
Does the bronze-drawing process really make a difference in the final dish?
Yes. Bronze-drawn pasta has a porous, textured surface that holds onto sauce, pesto, and broth far better than smooth, mass-produced pasta, delivering a noticeably more refined eating experience.
Is the packaging presentation suitable for a high-end pantry display?
De Cecco's classic blue packaging looks elegant on open shelving and signals authenticity, making it as fitting for a curated pantry as it is for the dinner table.
Does this pasta taste different from regular supermarket brands?
Customers consistently report a fresh-pasta aroma, richer wheat flavor, and a chewy-yet-tender al dente bite that distinguishes De Cecco from ordinary dried pasta.
Is Acini Di Pepe considered a chef-quality shape for fine dining?
Yes. Tiny Acini Di Pepe is prized in traditional Italian kitchens for elegant consommé, wedding soup, and refined pasta-in-broth presentations often featured in upscale Italian restaurants.
I'm building a luxury pasta pantry, is this a worthy addition?
Absolutely. Pairing Acini Di Pepe with shapes like Paccheri, Orecchiette, and Cavatappi gives you a versatile, restaurant-quality collection worthy of a serious home cook.
Will this pasta impress guests at an upscale dinner party?
Yes. Served in a clear broth or consommé, the tiny pasta pearls look refined, and the authentic Italian flavor and texture will be noticed by even casual guests.
Is the texture as close to fresh, handmade pasta as you can get in a dried format?
While not fresh, De Cecco's slow-drying and bronze-drawing come remarkably close, preserving the wheaty aroma and tender chew that fresh pasta is known for.
How does this compare to artisan fresh pasta from a specialty shop?
Fresh artisan pasta is wonderful but perishable; De Cecco gives you nearly the same aroma, flavor, and sauce-gripping quality in a shelf-stable format that is always ready in your pantry.
Why is Italian-imported pasta considered superior to domestic brands?
Italy's durum wheat, climate, centuries of pasta-making expertise, and strict production standards yield wheat with higher protein content, which translates to better texture and flavor in the finished dish.
Is there a noticeable difference when pairing this with high-end olive oil and finishing salts?
Yes. De Cecco's rough surface and authentic wheat flavor showcase premium ingredients beautifully, making it the ideal canvas for finishing oils, flaked salts, and aged cheeses.
Would a connoisseur of Italian cuisine consider this an authentic choice?
Yes. De Cecco is a heritage Italian brand recognized worldwide by chefs and home cooks alike as a benchmark for authentic, traditional Italian pasta.
I'm worried this is just an expensive import with no real quality difference, is it worth the premium?
The bronze die, slow drying, high-protein semolina, and 130-plus years of expertise deliver a tangible quality difference you can see in the rougher surface and taste in every bite.
Does the slow-drying process actually preserve more flavor and nutrition?
Yes. Drying at low temperatures over many hours protects the wheat's natural aroma, color, and nutrients, unlike high-heat industrial drying which can dull flavor and damage the protein structure.
Is this pasta a worthy gift for someone who already owns premium cookware?
For a serious home cook, an imported, heritage Italian pasta is one of the most appreciated gifts because the quality difference is immediately obvious the moment they taste it.
I prefer farm-to-table ingredients, does De Cecco fit that standard?
De Cecco works with high-grade durum wheat grown in Italy and an organic line is available, aligning well with farm-to-table and ingredient-conscious cooking philosophies.
How do I cook Acini Di Pepe pasta perfectly al dente?
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Begin tasting at 5 minutes and pull it out when it is tender but still has a slight bite in the center.
What is the best way to add Acini Di Pepe to soup without overcooking it?
Cook the soup base first, then add the dry pasta in the last 8 to 10 minutes of simmering so it absorbs flavor while staying intact. If making ahead, cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl to prevent it from soaking up too much broth.
Can I use Acini Di Pepe in a baked casserole?
Yes. Acini Di Pepe works beautifully in baked tuna or chicken casseroles, in pasta bakes with tomato or cream sauce, and in gratins, though the small size means it cooks faster than larger pasta shapes.
Does this pasta work in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes, but add it only in the final 15 to 20 minutes of cooking in a slow cooker to avoid mushiness, and use the sauté or pressure-cook setting briefly in an Instant Pot. The small shape absorbs liquid quickly, so timing matters.
Is this pasta compatible with gluten-free diets?
No, De Cecco Acini Di Pepe is made from durum wheat semolina and contains gluten. For gluten-free needs, choose a certified gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or legumes.
Does this pasta pair well with oil-based and cream-based sauces?
Yes. The bronze-drawn surface grabs onto light olive oil and garlic sauces, cream sauces, pesto, and chunky vegetable sauces equally well, making it one of the most versatile shapes in the De Cecco line.
What exactly comes in the box when I order it?
Each box contains 16 oz of dry De Cecco Acini Di Pepe No. 78 pasta, ready to cook. No additional ingredients, accessories, or tools are included, and nothing extra is required to prepare it beyond water, salt, and a pot.
Is this pasta safe for people with wheat allergies?
No, this product is made from wheat and is not safe for anyone with a wheat allergy or celiac disease. Always consult your doctor for ingredient compatibility with your specific dietary needs.
How should I store an opened box of pasta?
Seal the box tightly with a clip or transfer the pasta to an airtight container, and store it in a cool, dry pantry away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Properly stored, it will keep for one to two years.
What is the difference between Acini Di Pepe and orzo?
Acini Di Pepe are tiny, round, bead-like pasta, while orzo is a larger, rice-shaped pasta. Acini Di Pepe is often preferred for clear broths, baby food, and pastina dishes, while orzo works better in salads and denser soups.
What is the difference between Acini Di Pepe and pastina?
Acini Di Pepe is one specific type of pastina. Pastina is the Italian category for tiny pasta shapes used in broth and baby food, and Acini Di Pepe, with its small round beads, is the most popular variety within that category.
