Acini di Pepe Pasta Salad
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Acini di Pepe Pasta Salad is a creamy pasta salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, mini marshmallows, AND whipped cream. The fact that this has “salad” in the title is a serious offense. But at the same time you can’t be mad about it.
I literally sat at my computer for a solid 5 minutes trying to figure out if I should file this recipe under salads, pasta dishes, or side dishes. I couldn’t decide so I filed it under all 3 🙂
This recipe isn’t new to the world, not even close. I’m convinced this recipe has been around since the 70’s (if not earlier). It’s exactly the kind of “salad” I can picture my grandma bringing to a potluck.
And I can see why! This side dish is usually one of the first foods to go. Everyone loves it. Especially me.
I’m the food texture queen so I have to say something about the acini de Pepe pasta texture. I just love those tiny pasta balls so much! The texture they bring to this dish is unreal!
If you’re at all like me (you love and appreciate texture) then you’ll love this dish.
How to make Acini di Pepe Pasta Salad
- Cook the acini di Pepe pasta until al dente. Run under cold water. Tip: place the pasta in a fine mesh strainer, this will make your life MUCH easier! (The tiny noodles are too small for a colander). Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Make the sauce by stirring the reserved pineapple juice, reserved mandarin oranges juice, sugar, eggs, salt, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Tip: use a whisk to keep the sauce nice and smooth.
- Once the sauce is thick, remove it from the heat and pour it over the cooked pasta.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
- Add the good stuff! Once cold, and right before serving, stir in the crushed pineapple and oranges, whipped topping, and marshmallows. Note: you CAN add more oranges and marshmallows than what’s called for. To be perfectly honest, I don’t want the salad to be overloaded with the fruits, but that’s just me!
- Surprisingly our pasta salad kept in the fridge for 3 days! Wahoo! I thought the whipped topping would lapse and the salad would turn runny at some point, but it didn’t.
Do you know what this means?? You CAN prep Acini de Pepe salad in advance 🥳 I mean, I wouldn’t go overboard and make this 24 hours ahead of time but hey! A few hours before your shindig takes place, you can make this and have it ready to go.
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Acini di Pepe Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/4 cups acini di pepe pasta
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple drained and juice reserved *see notes
- 1 11 oz can mandarin oranges drained and juice reserved
- 8 oz container frozen whipped topping thawed
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the acini di pepe in salted boiling water until al dente. Run under cold water. Drain. Place the pasta in a large bowl.
- In a saucepan stir the reserved pineapple juice, reserved mandarin oranges juice, sugar, eggs, salt, and cornstarch. Turn the heat to medium and cook until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour over the cooked pasta and refrigerate until chilled.
- Once cold, (and just before serving) stir in the crushed pineapple and oranges, whipped topping, and marshmallows. Serve cold.
What can you use as a substitute for the acini di Pepe pasta? Unfortunately, I live in an area that is not quite as diverse as yours.
Hi Fran! This recipe is pretty reliant on the acini di pepe pasta. The small beaded pasta really makes the recipe what it is. Where are you located? You could always order some online.