Question 1

Should You Break Your Pasta?

Accepted Answer

No, you should not break your pasta. To learn more about why you shouldn't break your pasta, click here!

Question 2

Pasta Serving Size, Dry & Cooked

Accepted Answer

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow. What does 2 ounces of dry pasta look like? It depends on the shape. Use the helpful charts here to create perfect portions of pasta every time.

Question 3

How to Use Soup Pasta Shapes?

Accepted Answer

Soup pasta shapes were created with a variety of soups in mind. To learn more about how to use soup pasta shapes, click here!

Question 4

How to Use Pasta Water

Accepted Answer

Before you dump that pasta water down the drain, think again! This starchy liquid is a secret weapon in the kitchen and beyond. From creating silky, restaurant-quality sauces to giving your plants a little extra love, there are plenty of uses for pasta water that go beyond cooking.

To learn more about other uses for your pasta water, click here!

Question 5

How to Prepare Pasta for Pasta Salad

Accepted Answer

Pasta salad is a classic dish that's perfect for many occasions. Did you know that how you prepare your pasta makes all the difference? Unlike hot pasta dishes, pasta for a pasta salad needs to be cooked, cooled, and stored differently to maintain the perfect texture. Chef Lorenzo Boni, head chef for Barilla America Inc., gives us his best pasta salad cooking tips here!

Question 6

How to Perfectly Cook Pasta Al Dente

Accepted Answer

Wonder how to cook pasta like a professional chef? The secret to that perfectly tender-yet-firm bite, known as al dente, is a mix of timing and technique.

To learn more about how to perfectly cook pasta al dente, click here!

Question 7

How to Cook Pasta in Slow Cookers and Instant Pots

Accepted Answer

Pasta can be cooked in both slow cookers and Instant Pots®. To learn more about how you can cook pasta in either slow cookers or Instant Pots®, click here!

Question 8

How to Layer Lasagna

Accepted Answer

Lasagna lovers know there's an art to layering the perfect lasagna, and everyone has their favorite go-to lasagna recipe. To learn more about how to layer lasagne, click here!

Question 9

How to Prepare Lasagna in Advance

Accepted Answer

Lasagna is a classic comfort dish that many home cooks love to prepare in advance. Whether you're planning for a busy week, organizing a holiday gathering, or simply trying to meal plan, learning how to make lasagna in advance will help you save time in your schedule.

To learn how to prepare lasagna in advance, click here!

Question 10

How to Store & Reheat Lasagna

Accepted Answer

Making Lasagna can be time consuming and a labor of love. Don't let all that hard work go to waste and learn how to store & reheat your lasagna. Whether you prefer using the oven or the microwave, Barilla has you covered with this helpful guide. Find out the best way to reheat lasagna to savor this classic baked pasta dish.

Question 11

How to Use No-Boil Lasagna

Accepted Answer

If you're wondering how to make lasagna without the hassle of pre-boiling, you're in the right place! This FAQ will guide you through the process of making lasagna using Italian Chef Lorenzo Boni 's expert tips.

Question 12

How to Cook Barilla Ready Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Each variety of Ready Pasta will have specific heating instructions on the back of the package. It is prepared differently than traditional pasta as it can either be microwaved for 60 seconds or warmed in a skillet with two teaspoons of olive oil for 2 to 4 minutes. Simply knead the pouch prior to opening, then follow the directions on the back of the package for the best results.

Question 13

What Can I Use Ready Pasta For?

Accepted Answer

Ready Pasta is perfect for a quick lunch, dinner or snack! Ready in just 60 seconds, it’s great for a meal on the go, whether it be lunch at work, an after-school snack or an easy, delicious dinner at home.

Question 14

Can I Eat Ready Pasta Without Heating?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because Ready Pasta is already fully cooked but we don’t recommend it. Heating for 60 seconds in the microwave or in a skillet is recommended to bring the product to the optimal texture for eating.

Question 15

Can I Use Ready Pasta in a Baked Dish?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, Ready Pasta is a convenient substitute to traditional Barilla dry pasta for any recipe. Add the unheated pasta directly to your dish.

Question 16

Can I Use Ready Pasta in a Cold Pasta Salad?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, Ready Pasta is a convenient substitute to traditional Barilla dry pasta for any recipe. Although, we still do recommend you reheat the product according to the package direction even when adding to a recipe that calls for cold pasta. The reheating brings the pasta to optimal texture. Just allow a few minutes after heating for the pasta to cool down.

Question 17

What is the Preparation Difference Between Ready Pasta and Blue Box Barilla Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Ready Pasta is fully cooked pasta that can either be heated in the microwave for 60 seconds or in a skillet with two teaspoons of olive oil for 2 to 4 minutes. Both preparation processes achieve “al dente” perfection. For best results, follow the heating instructions on the back of the package.

Question 18

What is the Origin of Tortellini?

Accepted Answer

Legend claims that Tortellini was inspired by the goddess Venus' navel. An Italian medieval legend tells how Venus and Zeus, weary one night after their involvement in a battle between Bologna and Modena, arrive at a tavern in a small town on the outskirts of Bologna. After eating a hearty dinner and becoming slightly drunk, they decide to share a bedroom. The innkeeper, captivated after watching them, creeps to their room and peeks through the keyhole of the bedroom door. However, all he can see through the keyhole is the naval of Venus. This vision leaves him spellbound – so much so that he immediately rushes to the kitchen and creates a pasta inspired by Venus' navel…and so was born the Tortellini.

Question 19

What Are the Natural Flavorings in Tortellini?

Accepted Answer

Our exquisite line of Tortellini, with sophisticated Italian flavors inside every mouth-watering bite. You will find distinctive natural flavor notes all perfectly blended with the smooth texture of the richest ricotta cheese.

Question 20

Is the Cheese in Tortellini Pasteurized?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The process used to prepare our Tortellini involves pasteurization of the cheeses in our fillings.

Question 21

How is Barilla Tortellini Different From Other Tortellini Products?

Accepted Answer

Barilla's shelf-stable Tortellini is a perfect balance between a thin, delicate layer of pasta and a flavorful filling. The pasta complements the filling and does not overpower it. Barilla Tortellini is not chewy or doughy, and does not break or fall apart during cooking.

Question 22

Is Barilla Ready Pasta Gluten-Free?

Accepted Answer

Barilla’s Ready Pasta is made up of high-quality, non-GMO ingredients and contains no preservatives; however, it is not gluten free. Barilla’s Gluten Free pastas provide an enjoyable way to enjoy pasta for those seeking a gluten free diet or who have gluten sensitivities.

Question 23

Does Barilla Ready Pasta Contain Preservatives?

Accepted Answer

No. Barilla Ready Pasta does not contain preservatives.

Question 24

How Can Barilla Ready Pasta Be Shelf Stable and Ready In Just 60 Seconds?

Accepted Answer

Ready Pasta is fully cooked using a tailor-made production where the pasta is cooked in the pouch. This allows Barilla to avoid using any food preservatives without compromising on product quality, ensuring a shelf life of 14 months at room temperature. Ready Pasta is already fully cooked. The 60 seconds in the microwave is required to re-heat the pasta, per Barilla’s standards.

Question 25

What Ingredients Are Included In Barilla Ready Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Ready Pasta is a fully cooked pasta, crafted with high quality semolina (wheat), durum wheat flour, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.

Question 26

Myth 1: Is Cooking Perfect Pasta Difficult?

Accepted Answer

With a few simple tips, cooking perfect pasta is a breeze! First, start with enough water – at least a quart of water for every quarter pound of pasta – and be sure to add a generous pinch of sea salt to enhance the pasta’s flavor. Skip adding oil to the cooking water – it doesn’t prevent pasta from sticking together. In fact, it actually prevents the sauce from clinging to the pasta.

Want to learn how to cook pasta perfectly al dente? Check out our tutorial.

Question 27

Myth 2: Should Sauce Be Served On Top Of Pasta?

Accepted Answer

If your typical pasta presentation is a bowl of pasta with the sauce poured over the top, think again. The key to a perfect pasta dish is a sauce-to-pasta ratio that allows the pasta itself to shine, with an even coating of sauce on every bite. Prepare your sauce first and keep it warm while the pasta cooks, then gently toss your cooked pasta in the sauce to evenly coat. A general rule of thumb is 1½ cups of sauce for every pound of cooked pasta.

Question 28

Myth 3: Should Pasta Be Rinsed?

Accepted Answer

Boil. Drain. Rinse. Mix. Sound familiar? Then toss aside this pasta cooking routine. The natural starches released during the cooking process work as a natural binder that allows the sauce to perfectly adhere to the pasta.

Want to learn how to cook pasta perfectly al dente? Check out our tutorial.

Question 29

How to Store Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Pasta should be stored in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard or pantry.

Question 30

What is the Shelf Life of Barilla Pasta?

Accepted Answer

The shelf life on our products vary. For the very best quality and taste, Barilla recommends using our pasta by the "best if used by" date found on our packaging.

Question 31

How to Store Dry Boxed Pasta

Accepted Answer

Unopened and opened boxes of dry pasta should be stored somewhere cool and moisture-free, such as a cupboard or a pantry. You should never store boxes of dried pasta in the refrigerator or freezer because the pasta will absorb moisture.

Question 32

How to Store Cooked Pasta in the Refrigerator?

Accepted Answer

Cooked pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within two days. Pasta that has been cooked but has not been mixed with sauce should be tossed with extra-virgin olive oil prior to being stored to avoid clumping.

Question 33

Can You Freeze Cooked Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Although not ideal, cooked plain pasta and cooked pasta mixed with sauce may be stored in the freezer in Ziploc bags or freezer-safe container. Pasta with sauce should be reheated in the microwave and plain pasta tossed with extra-virgin olive oil should be reheated in a skillet with a little bit of water. You can find detailed information on how to reheat different types of pasta in our article on The Best Ways to Reheat Pasta.

Question 34

How to Store Pasta Sauce

Accepted Answer

How to Store Unopened Pasta Sauce
Unopened jars of pasta sauce should be stored at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry. If you prefer, you may also store them in the refrigerator.

How to Store Opened Jars of Pasta Sauce
Jars of pasta sauce that have been opened can be stored for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. If you don’t use the sauce during that time frame but want to save it for future use, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Question 35

How to Reheat Pasta With Sauce

Accepted Answer

We always recommend storing and reheating pasta and sauce separately, but if your pasta is already mixed with sauce, reheating it in a microwave will yield the best results. Here’s what you should do:

Place a single-serving of the pasta in a round or oval microwave-safe dish and drizzle a little extra sauce or water on top to keep the pasta moist and separated while it cooks.
Then, cover the dish and microwave the pasta at medium heat for 1 to 1 ½ minutes.
Check to see if the pasta is warmed all the way through—if it isn’t, stir it and continue to microwave it at medium power in 15-second increments until completely heated.

Question 36

How to Reheat Plain Pasta

Accepted Answer

To reheat plain pasta that has only olive oil on it, simply sauté it with a little water in a skillet over medium-heat. Cook the pasta until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees—approximately 2-3 minutes for 1 serving (1 cup) of cooked pasta.

To reheat plain pasta in a microwave oven, here’s what you should do:

Place a single-serving of the pasta in a round or oval microwave-safe dish and drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil on top to keep it moist and separated while it cooks.
Then, cover the dish and microwave the pasta at medium heat for 1 to 1 ½ minutes.
Check to see if the pasta is warmed all the way through—if it isn’t, stir it and continue to microwave it at medium power in 15-second increments until completely heated.

Question 37

How to Reheat Stuffed Shells

Accepted Answer

To reheat non-casserole baked pasta dishes, such as stuffed jumbo shells, place the shells in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 375 degrees until the shells’ internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Hearing or seeing the shells sizzling is usually a good indication that they are nearing or at the desired internal temperature.

If you have to use a microwave to reheat stuffed shells, you should reheat individual portions one at a time. Here’s what you should do:

Place a single serving of shells on a microwave-safe dish and drizzle a little extra sauce or water on top to keep them moist while they cook.
Then, cover the dish and microwave the shells at medium heat for 1 to 1 ½ minutes.
Check to see if they have warmed all the way through—if they haven’t, continue to microwave them at medium power in 15-second increments until completely heated.

Question 38

How Long Does an Open Jar of Pasta Sauce Last in the Refrigerator?

Accepted Answer

Barilla recommends storing an opened jar of sauce in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The remaining sauce may be frozen at any time during the 3-5 days; simply transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container and it will be good for up to 3 months.

Question 39

How to Tell Good Quality Pasta?

Accepted Answer

The quality of pasta is very dependent upon the kind of wheat used and the manufacturing process. Barilla uses a blend of the finest durum wheat to produce the semolina that makes our pasta. Barilla's innovative milling process and methods assure the high quality and excellent cooking properties of our pasta.

Question 40

Are There Other Ways to Tell Good Quality Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can tell just by looking at it. Good pasta will have a unique yellow color. Properly grown, stored, milled, and dried, pasta will have very few defects such as black specks, white spots, or cracks. During cooking, the pasta will not clump together or form surface stickiness, and it should have good texture and elasticity upon chewing. Visually the pasta should be an amber yellow color, uniform in size and shape, and without grayish or reddish shades. Quality pasta will have a pleasant taste and aroma, and always cook al dente.

Question 41

What is the Dry Pasta Serving Size?

Accepted Answer

The recommended serving size is 2 ounces of uncooked pasta, which equals approximately 1 cup of cooked pasta. For more details on pasta serving sizes, visit our Pasta Serving Size, Dry & Cooked page here!

Question 42

What Does the Best if Used By Date Mean on Barilla Products?

Accepted Answer

This is the date on our packaging that Barilla recommends the product be consumed by. Past this date, Barilla cannot guarantee the product's freshness.

Question 43

What is Durum Wheat and Why is it Used to Make Barilla Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Durum wheat is a hard wheat that when milled properly produces high-quality semolina. It is high quality because semolina has proteins in it that contain elevated quantities of gluten. These attributes, along with the compact structure of semolina, allow Barilla Pasta to maintain its cooking consistency, delicious flavor, and al dente texture.

Question 44

Does Barilla Pasta Contain Allergens?

Accepted Answer

Barilla pasta does not contain peanuts, peanut oil, soy, or fish. Certain Barilla pasta products contain eggs, milk, and gluten. Some Barilla pasta may also contain tree nuts. For people with a gluten intolerance or allergy, Barilla offers a line of certified gluten-free pastas made with a blend of corn and rice.

While our product page can provide you with detailed information about our products, we advise you to always refer to each product label for the most accurate nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information.

Question 45

Is Barilla Pasta Kosher?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Barilla pasta is Kosher, with the exceptions of Ready Pasta and Tortellini, and is prepared according to the requirements of Jewish law.

Question 46

Is Barilla Pasta Dairy Free?

Accepted Answer

Barilla's durum wheat semolina pasta does not contain dairy or come in contact with dairy on the lines. Our filled Tortellini products do contain dairy as an ingredient.

Question 47

Is Barilla Pasta Sauce Gluten Free?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to each individual product page and or product label.

Question 48

How Much Protein is in Protein+ Pasta?

Accepted Answer

Barilla Protein+® pasta provides a good source of protein with (17g) of protein per 3.5oz serving.

Question 49

Is Protein+ Pasta a Good Source of Fiber?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Protein+® pasta is a good source of fiber with (10g) of fiber per 3.5oz serving.

Question 50

What is Barilla® Protein+® Pasta Made of?

Accepted Answer

Barilla® Protein+® is made with delicious golden wheat and protein from chickpeas, lentils, and peas.

Question 51

Is Barilla® Protein+® Non-GMO Project Verified?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Protein+® pasta is Non-GMO project verified.

Question 52

Where Can I Buy Barilla® Protein+® Pasta Near Me?

Accepted Answer

You can expect to find Protein+® pasta at your local grocery store. You can also find our delicious pasta at a variety of online retailers.

For more information, head to our product pages for a product locator to find availability in your zip code.

Question 53

Introducing Protein+® Rigatoni Pasta

Accepted Answer

Good news for pasta lovers, Barilla Protein+® Rigatoni brings the classic rigatoni shape you love, to Barilla's Protein+® pasta line. Made from a delicious blend of lentils, chickpeas, and peas, this pasta has 17g of protein per 3.5oz serving, making it a great choice for anyone.

To learn more about Protein+® Rigatoni pasta, click here!

Question 54

Is Barilla a Public Company?

Accepted Answer

Barilla is a family business, not listed on the Stock Exchange, chaired by the brothers Guido, Luca and Paolo Barilla. Founded by their great-grandfather, Pietro Barilla opened a bakery in Parma in 1877. Today, Barilla is renowned in Italy and around the world for the quality of its food products.

When Pietro opened his shop over 145 years ago, the main aim was to make good food. This founding principle has become the Barilla way of doing business, with almost 9,000 people working for the company and a supply chain that shares its values and passion for quality.

Barilla's commitment is to offer people good, well-made food produced with selected ingredients favoring those from responsible supply chains, to contribute to a better present and future.

Question 55

Where is the Barilla U.S. Headquarters Located?

Accepted Answer

Barilla's corporate offices are located in Parma, Italy. Barilla America's corporate office is located at:

Barilla America, Inc.
885 Sunset Ridge Rd.
Northbrook, IL 60062

Question 56

Where is Barilla Pasta Made?

Accepted Answer

Barilla Pasta that is sold in the United States is made in our plants in Ames, IA and Avon, NY, with some exceptions. We have products such as Al Bronzo and Pesto that are made in Italy. We also have product that is made in Canada. Barilla opened the Ames plant in 1998 and our Avon plant in 2007. The Barilla family was very concerned about maintaining Barilla's high quality standards in the new plants. Consequently, the machines used in our Ames and Avon plants are the same as used in our plant in Parma, Italy. The recipe is the same as the one used in Parma, Italy. Barilla selects its wheat from the best wheat available.

Question 57

How Do I Apply for a Job at Barilla in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Visit our Barilla Careers page to find career opportunities in a specific geography, location, or job family.

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