Why choose between pasta and potatoes, when you can have both in one comforting recipe? Tender, small-cubed Yukon gold potatoes, and delicate Acini di Pepe pasta are tossed in a silky, light, shiny sauce made with grated Parmesan, pasta water, and a touch of butter. The result is an easy-to-make, healthier alternative to macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes, infused with a peppery warmth and a bright, zesty kiss of lemon.

How are you kicking off 2025? Are you vowing to simplify things in your everyday life? Promising yourself that you’ll concentrate on your mental and physical health more? Swearing to spend more time with the people you actually like to be around instead of filling your life with those who bring you zero joy? Finally, finally, finally getting off your butt and taking steps towards a healthier and more active lifestyle?

As far as my 2025 goes, I’m aiming for all of the above, and this simple, somewhat healthy, easy-to-make pasta and potato recipe is a pretty great start. Is it packed with carbs? Why yes it is. However, instead of being absolutely smothered in heavy whipping cream, it uses one lil’ ol’ tablespoon of butter, a scant bit of freshly grated cheese, and pasta water to create a creamy sauce that makes this dish feel almost sinful.

When it comes to making changes, start slow. Donate a few sweaters instead of your entire closet. Read a book in bed instead of going out in the rain to run errands. Make a play date with someone you absolutely adore hanging out with instead of spending time with someone who always seems to darken your spirit. Realize that living a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean that you’ll never ever ever ever be able to eat carbs again. Baby steps, ya’ll. Baby steps.

Ingredients:

Pasta:

• Cold Water
• 1 Teaspoon Finely Ground Sea Salt
• 2/3 Cup Acini di Pepe

Potatoes:

• 2 1/2 Cups Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled & Cubed (Small)
• 1 Cup Cold Water
• 1/2 Teaspoon Finely Ground Sea Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 2 Teaspoons Dried Parsley
• 1/2 Teaspoon Finely Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1-oz. Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated (Additional for Garnish)
• Zest of 1 Lemon

Directions:

Pasta:

1. Place the water and sea salt in a medium sauce pot over high heat.
2. When the water comes to a boil, add the Acini di Pepe, stir well, and then boil the pasta for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender.
3. Strain the Acini di Pepe, reserving at least 2 cups of the pasta water for later use.

Potatoes:

1. After you place the above Acini di Pepe in boiling water, place the potatoes, cold water, and sea salt in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Stir to combine and cover with a lid.
2. Cook the potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender. Shake the pan every few minutes. Add more water if needed to prevent sticking.
3. Reduce the heat to low. Uncover the potatoes, add the butter, dried parsley, black pepper, and onion powder. Gently stir to combine.
4. Add the strained pasta and grated cheese to the potatoes. Gently stir to combine.
5. Slowly add a little bit of pasta water to the potatoes and pasta. Gently stir. Continue to add more pasta water until creamy.
6. Salt to taste.
7. Garnish with additional parmesan and lemon zest before serving.

Suggestions:

• Two large potatoes will yield approximately 2 1/2 cups of peeled and cubed potatoes. Cut the potatoes into small, uniform cubes so that they will cook at the same rate.
• You can use any variety of small-shaped pasta for this recipe. Try using orzo or couscous.
• Peel and cube the potatoes while you wait for the pasta water to come to a boil. Start sautéing the potatoes when you place the pasta in the boiling water. Your potatoes and pasta should be ready around the same time.
• I used salted butter for this recipe. You can use either salted or unsalted. Add salt to taste before serving, especially if using unsalted.
• Do not buy pre-shredded cheese; grate your own. It will make a huge difference in flavor and texture. Use as much or as little parmesan cheese as you wish for this recipe. Grate extra cheese for serving.
• This recipe will yield 4 servings.
• Serve this side dish with kielbasa, grilled sausages, baked fish, or these Grilled Lemon Pepper Marinated Chicken Tenders.

Improvements:

• Fold peas, spinach, or cut asparagus into this side dish.
• Add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Use fresh parsley in this recipe if you have it on hand.
• Add 1 teaspoon of Italian herb seasoning mix in addition to the dried parsley. Try this Homemade Italian Herb Seasoning Mix (No-Salt) instead of using a store-bought version.

Print

Yum

Creamy Parmesan Acini di Pepe with Potatoes

Ingredients:

Pasta:
• Cold Water
• 1 Teaspoon Finely Ground Sea Salt
• 2/3 Cup Acini di Pepe
Potatoes:
• 2 1/2 Cups Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled & Cubed (Small)
• 1 Cup Cold Water
• 1/2 Teaspoon Finely Ground Sea Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 2 Teaspoons Dried Parsley
• 1/2 Teaspoon Finely Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1-oz. Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated (Additional for Garnish)
• Zest of 1 Lemon

Directions:

Pasta:
1. Place the water and sea salt in a medium sauce pot over high heat.
2. When the water comes to a boil, add the Acini di Pepe, stir well, and then boil the pasta for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender.
3. Strain the Acini di Pepe, reserving at least 2 cups of the pasta water for later use.
Potatoes:
4. After you place the above Acini di Pepe in boiling water, place the potatoes, cold water, and sea salt in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Stir to combine and cover with a lid.
5. Cook the potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender. Shake the pan every few minutes. Add more water if needed to prevent sticking.
6. Reduce the heat to low. Uncover the potatoes, add the butter, dried parsley, black pepper, and onion powder. Gently stir to combine.
7. Add the strained pasta and grated cheese to the potatoes. Gently stir to combine.
8. Slowly add a little bit of pasta water to the potatoes and pasta. Gently stir. Continue to add more pasta water until creamy.
9. Salt to taste.
10. Garnish with additional parmesan and lemon zest before serving.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

0.1

http://faithhopeloveandlucksurvivedespiteawhiskeredaccomplice.com/creamy-parmesan-acini-di-pepe-with-potatoes/

PIN THIS RECIPE

Don’t let this recipe slip away. How often do you find a recipe intriguing, yet forget where to find it when you finally get the hankering to make it? Instead of digging through old posts or wandering aimlessly around on the internet, why not Pin this recipe to Pinterest where you can find it when you eventually need it? Simply Pin the image above and you’ll have it when that time comes. You can follow us HERE on Pinterest or simply click HERE to find all of our pin-worthy recipes.

Creamy Parmesan Butternut Squash Rice Soup

Couscous Salad with Gouda & Fresh Cherries

Creamy Italian Rice Soup with Prosciutto & Corn

In 2024, we cooked and baked our way through the alphabet with several of our food blogger friends. Every other Wednesday, we shared a new recipe featuring a consecutive letter of the alphabet, starting with A in January and ending with Z in December. CLICK HERE to find all of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge recipes.

Dried Apple & Bourbon Oven-Baked Sauerkraut

This Dried Apple & Bourbon Oven-Baked Sauerkraut is a simple yet delicious side dish that combines the tanginess of sauerkraut with the sweetness of dried apples and brown sugar plus the bold and smoky flavor of bourbon. It’s the perfect side dish to add some variety to your meals and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any game day, cookout, or holiday gathering. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy sauerkraut, be prepared to be blown away by this delicious sweet and tangy version.

In 2025, we’ll be cooking and baking our way through the alphabet with several of our food blogger friends. Every other Wednesday, for the 2025 Alphabet Challenge, we’ll be sharing a new recipe featuring a consecutive letter of the alphabet, starting with A in January and ending with Z in December.

“A” – Creamy Parmesan Acini di Pepe with Potatoes

Please make sure to check out the other great “A” recipes below. A huge thanks to A Day in the Life on the Farm for hosting this 2025 Alphabet Challenge event.

• Aglio e Olio Pasta by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Aloo Phulkopir Dalna by Sneha’s Recipe
• Apple Latkes by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Apple Pie Tacos by Blogghetti
• Artichoke Baby Greens Dip by Magical Ingredients
• Artichoke Tapenade by Food Lust People Love
• Avocado, Bean & Mango Salad by Mayuri’s Jikoni
• Creamy Parmesan Acini di Pepe with Potatoes by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Dianna’s Almond Cake by A Messy Kitchen
• Spinach Apple Salad with Apple Vinaigrette by A Day in the Life on the Farm