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The square, blue box full of petite star-shaped pasta that’s a staple in pantries and kitchens is being discontinued. This pasta was often used as one of the first solid foods for babies, in soups, or even simply served with butter as one of the quickest comfort foods imaginable. Here’s everything to know about the Ronzoni Pastina situation, as well as alternatives for those of you who can’t live without those precious little pasta stars.
“We hear you and we greatly appreciate your love for Ronzoni Pastina,” the brand said in a statement on Instagram. “After extensive efforts, we regretfully announce that Ronzoni Pastina is being discontinued. This wasn’t a decision we wanted to make.”
The statement continued, “Unfortunately, our long-term supplier informed us that they would no longer be making Ronzoni Pastina as of January 2023. We searched extensively for an alternative solution but were unable to find a viable option to make Pastina in the same beloved small shape, size, and standards you have come to expect from Ronzoni. As a result, we had to make the difficult decision to discontinue this product.”
“Your passion for Ronzoni fuels our passion to deliver for you,” the brand concluded their statement. “We haven’t given up, but as of today, we can no longer offer Ronzoni Pastina to our customers. Thank you for your understanding and trust in Ronzoni pasta.”
Is Ronzoni Pastina discontinued nationwide?
Unfortunately, yes — this isn’t a localized issue. Ronzoni Pastina is being discontinued everywhere.
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Why are people stocking up on Ronzoni Pastina?
Because Ronzoni Pastina is being discontinued, many lovers and loyalists to the brand are stockpiling the product before it’s no longer available for purchase. Essentially, wherever you can find it right now — if you can find it — is all that’s left. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Are there dupes for Ronzoni Pastina?
Let’s be clear: there’s only one Ronzoni Pastina! That said, there are other pastas with similar shapes and sizes that you can use to sub in for the classic moving forward.
- Barilla Pastina
Barilla Pastina is available in most supermarkets. It’s the same delightful shape and size as Ronzoni Pastina and even comes in a blue box. Depending on where you live and shop, Barilla Pastina typically costs between $1.67 and $3 for a 12-ounce box. - Colavita Stars (Stelle) Pasta
Colavita Stars (Stelle) Pasta isn’t quite the same adorable star shape as Ronzoni Pastina — if you ask us, thanks to the hole in the center, it actually looks more like flowers. That said, it’s delicious and pretty. You can get a 16-ounce bag on sale from the Colavita website for $2.49. - El Guapo Star Pasta
El Guapo Star Pasta is available at Acme for $5.49 per 7-ounce bag. - Good & Gather Signature Stelline Pasta
Target’s Good & Gather Signature Stelline Pasta isn’t the exact same star shape as Ronzoni Pastina, but it’s at least somewhat close. If you use your Target RedCard, you’ll snag 5% off of the $3.69 purchase price for a total of about $3.51. - Granoro Pasta Stars (Stelline)
Available on Amazon, Granoro Pasta Stars (Stelline) are star-shaped with holes in the center. You can get a 17.64-ounce (1.1-pound) bag of Granoro Pasta Stars for $2.86 but with a pretty hefty delivery charge of $9.88, as it’s not available with Prime shipping. - La Moderna Stars
La Moderna Stars pasta is a slightly different star shape with holes in the center. Retail prices vary, but if you can find it at your local Walmart, you may be able to purchase it for as little as $0.48 per 7-ounce bag. - Ronzoni Acini di Pepe
Ronzoni Acini di Pepe isn’t star-shaped like their beloved Pastina, but its tiny beaded shape can be used similarly in recipes. Walmart offers Ronzoni Acini di Pepe for $1.48 per 16-ounce box. - San Giorgio Pastina
San Giorgio Pastina is tiny and shaped identically to Ronzoni Pastina. It’s available in 12-ounce boxes for $1.25 at ACME; other retailers’ prices may vary.
