I picked up Barilla Protein Plus Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz at the grocery store for $2.28 and figured I’d give it a shot since I’m always looking for ways to boost protein intake without adding another supplement to my routine. As a Marine veteran, I know the difference between marketing hype and actual nutrition, so I went in skeptical. This pasta pasta falls into the specialty food category and promises 13 grams of protein per serving, which caught my attention immediately. BARILLA Protein Plus Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz isn’t just another box on the shelf, and after cooking and eating it regularly over the past few weeks, I’ve formed some solid opinions about whether it delivers on what it claims.
Why the BARILLA Protein Plus Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz Stands Out
The first thing you notice when you open BARILLA Protein Plus Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz is that it looks different from regular pasta. It has a slightly darker color and you can see the protein sources incorporated throughout. The pasta is made with a blend of durum wheat and legume flour, which explains the protein bump. Cooking time is standard, around nine minutes, and it doesn’t turn into mush if you’re paying attention. The texture is firm and holds up well with sauce, which matters because mushy pasta ruins a meal no matter how