The world of Pasta is delicious and fascinating, with over a hundred types available. It is one of the most popular foods around the world. Each pasta comes in a different shape and size, which makes it suitable for a specific type of sauce and other ingredients. 

Campanelle pasta, or gigli or riccioli, resembles a small flower or bell. It has ruffled edges that give it a beautiful and delicate appearance.

Thus it is used for garnishing or as a bed for other foods. This pasta is ideal for holding thicker, creamier sauces. But if you can’t find campanelle in your nearest grocery store, you can use other kinds of pasta in its place.

Penne, rigatoni, cannelloni, fusilli, elbow pasta (macaroni) , Conchiglie, Cavatappi, Manicotti, ziti, farfalle, Rotelle, Cavatelli are all substitutes for campanelle pasta. 

Stop here if you were planning to use any pasta instead of Campanella. The one size fits all approach doesn’t work in the case of pasta. Different pasta shapes require different cooking times. Moreover, each pasta type goes with different sauces and can have a different taste.

Now that you have learned an important pasta secret let’s take a look at the best substitutes for campanelle pasta.

12 Best Campanelle Pasta Substitutes

Here is a list of some of the best Campanelle Pasta Substitutes that you can try!

1. Penne

If you ask me about the best alternative to Campanelle pasta, penne wins the case for many reasons. Penne is the most popular and easily accessible kind of pasta worldwide. It is a tube-like pasta with a cylindrical shape with pointed ends cut diagonally. 

The beauty of penne pasta is that its hollow center and ridged exterior help to hold the sauces and dressings wonderfully, a job that the ruffled edges of Campanella do. 

Moreover, it is also one of the most pocket-friendly pasta types available. You can have penne in a variety of sauces like arrabbiata, pesto, and bechamel. It is also available in whole wheat and gluten-free varieties, making it a versatile option for those with dietary restrictions.

2. Rigatoni

Another good alternative to Campanelle is Rigatoni, similar to penne in looks and usage. It is a tube-shaped pasta with a larger diameter, ridges along the outside, and straight-cut ends that help hold sauces. 

While substituting rigatoni for Campanella in a recipe, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the pasta is cooked through but still firm.

Rigatoni is best paired with meaty and creamy sauces. It can be added to a casserole or baked dish.

3. Cannelloni

If you are planning to make a baked pasta dish and can’t find Campanella, you should opt for Cannelloni. This tube-shaped pasta is usually arranged in a baking dish and is topped with sauce and cheese. It is then baked in the oven until bubbly and golden brown.

 If you are a true Italian cuisine lover, you must have tried the hearty and flavorful spinach and ricotta cannelloni once in your lifetime.

Cannelloni can be customized and enjoyed in a variety of ways to appeal to a wide range of preferences and tastes. It’s cylindrical shape and hollow center make it ideal for stuffing and baking.

4. Fusilli

Fusilli is a quirky pasta shape characterized by its spiral or corkscrew shape. Its unique spiral shape makes it an excellent pasta for holding onto sauces and other ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, and cheeses, ensuring that every bite is flavorful. 

Fusilli pasta is a popular ingredient in many pasta dishes, including pasta salads, baked pasta dishes, and casseroles.

It also comes in various forms, including regular, whole wheat, and gluten-free, making it a versatile choice for those with dietary restrictions. Fusilli has a similar visual appearance to campanelle pasta. This makes it an excellent substitute for the latter.

5. Elbow Pasta (Macaroni)

Elbow pasta, also known as macaroni, is a small, curved, and tube-shaped pasta used to make classic comfort dishes like macaroni and cheese, baked pasta dishes, and pasta salads. 

Its shape helps perform a similar function to Campanelle and is an ideal choice for pasta dishes with creamy, cheesy, or tomato-based sauces.

Moreover, elbow pasta is also an easily available option that comes at a cost-effective price.

6. Conchiglie

Conchiglie is a seashell-shaped pasta that can be used as a substitute for Campanelle. The pasta’s size can vary, making it a good choice for various purposes. While the smaller size conchiglie can be used in soups and salads, it’s bigger size can be used for stuffing. 

However, whatever the size, the unique shape of the conchiglie makes it an ideal choice for holding onto sauces and other ingredients.

Just like Campanelle’s attractive shape, the shell shape gives the pasta a fun and playful appearance. Thus, it also makes for a great party dish. 

7. Cavatappi

Cavatappi is a fancier version of elbow pasta made of water and fine ground semolina. It has an eye-catchy shape, described as tubular, curled, or corkscrew-shaped.

The outer surface of Cavatappi also has ridges that help to hold sauces, meat, and vegetables.

You can use Cavatappi in mac and cheese, toss it in sauces like alfredo, pesto, or ragu, or simply use it to create a show-stopping salad. Thus, Cavatappi makes for a good substitute for Campanella. 

8. Manicotti

Manicotti in Italian means “sleeve.” It is a tube-shaped pasta with ridges on the outside. It is often filled with cheese or meat and then baked in a tomato sauce. 

Manicotti is also popularly referred to as a dish often served as a main course for dinner or as part of a larger meal. It is also similar to cannelloni.

The manicotti is traditionally filled with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and herbs and spices such as basil and oregano. It can also be filled with meat fillings like ground beef or sausage.

Manicotti tubes are typically arranged in a baking dish and covered with tomato sauce cheese. They are then placed in the oven for baking until the cheese is melted.

So, if you plan to make a stuffed dish, manicotti pasta is a good substitute for Campanelle.  

9. Ziti

Ziti is a penne-lookalike. It is shaped like a long tube with straight-cut edges. However, ziti doesn’t have ridges. The name “ziti” is derived from the Italian word “zite,” meaning “bridegrooms.” In Italy, this pasta was traditionally served at wedding feasts.  

The size of the ziti can vary. Some varieties can be larger than others. Ziti can be used in a variety of Italian dishes and with sauces like marinara, Alfredo, or pesto. Thus, ziti works well in place of Campanelle.

10. Farfalle

Farfalle is another attractive-looking bow-shaped pasta with ruffled edges. It is commonly referred to as “butterfly” or “bowtie” pasta due to its distinctive shape. 

It is commonly served with cream, lemon-garlic, and tomato-based sauces and pairs well with chicken, seafood, and vegetables.

Due to its unique shape, farfalle is often used in salads with vegetables like tomato, cucumber, olives, and cubed feta cheese or mozzarella to create an eye-catching presentation.

Farfalle is also an inexpensive pasta as compared to the others. It is made with semolina and also comes in different colors, such as red, green, and black. You can also find gluten-free versions of Farfalle in the market.

11. Rotelle

Rotelle is a wheel-shaped pasta that is round in shape, having spokes in the center that resemble the wheels of a wagon. The name “rotelle” comes from the Italian word for “little wheels.” 

It is typically made from durum wheat semolina flour and varies in size. With its unique shape, rotelle is commonly used in soup and pasta salads. The pasta’s spokes help hold small pieces of diced meats, vegetables, and sauces. It also makes for a fun pasta shape for kids.

Rotelle pasta can be served with a variety of sauces, such as tomato, cream, or pesto. Feel free to pair it with a wide range of ingredients, including vegetables, meats, and cheeses.

12. Cavatelli 

Cavatelli is a small, shell-shaped pasta resembling a tiny hot dog bun or miniature hot air balloon. The name “cavatelli” means “to hollow out.” It comes from the regions of Puglia, Campania, and Molise.

Cavatelli is typically made from a mixture of semolina flour, all-purpose flour, and water. 

The dough is rolled into small pieces, then pressed and shaped with a fork or cavatelli board to create a hollow shape and ridges on the outside. It pairs well with both thick and light sauces like ragu, pesto, or tomato sauce.

Cavatelli is often served in traditional Italian dishes like cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage or cavatelli with tomato sauce and ricotta cheese. In the United States, cavatelli is also a popular choice for baked pasta dishes and is often used in casseroles or with a cheesy sauce.

Short Recap Of Best Substitutes For Campanelle Pasta

Here is a little recap of the best substitutes for campanelle pasta that can help you decide which one to opt for.

Best Campanelle Pasta Substitutes Per Availability: 

• Penne
• Ziti
• Cannelloni
• Fusilli
• Elbow pasta (macaroni) 

Best Campanelle Pasta Substitutes For Similar Texture:

• Farfalle
• Conchiglie
• Cavatelli

Best Campanelle Pasta Substitutes For The Purpose Of Stuffing:

• Cannelloni
• Manicotti
• Conchiglie

How To Use Campanelle Pasta Substitutes

Conclusion

Campanelle is a unique variety of pasta adored for its bell-like shape. But this variety may be difficult to find everywhere. In such a case, you can opt for Campanelle’s substitutes, as mentioned in the list above.

So, try out these alternatives for Campanella and prepare a delicious meal for your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)