CafeMom Influencer Program - What do Moms Think about Barilla PLUS Pasta?

[CafeMom Team]

Hi Everyone,

25 CafeMom members were given recipes and Barilla PLUS pasta. We asked these moms to try the pasta and recipes from Barilla and  share their honest opinions with all of us.

Barilla PLUS Influencers post your honest opinions about the pasta here!

>< The CafeMom Team

[fryshannon34]

First I would like to thank you very much for the package.I already use Barilla products and I love them.They cook perfectly evrytime.I love the ridged macaroni perfect for my mac and cheese!Thanks again. 

[kiddiecare05]

I am not one of the moms who tried it through cafemom but I bought some on my own because my son wont eat meat (I wanted these noodles for the extra protein). They are great! They taste just like regular spaghetti noodles and cook up perfectly. Just had to share!

[dramamama3]

 I got the package in the mail yesterday. I never get anything in the mail..except for those pesky bills.. so,  I was excited. I opened it up and inside I found 5 boxes of different types of Barilla PLUS pasta, some recipes to follow or play with and an adorable bright yellow Barilla chef's apron. My husband and kids loved the apron and everyone wanted to try it on. (My husband looked especially cute in it.)

I am looking forward to creating these recipes or my own version of them and feeding them to my loved ones . They look absolutely delicious on paper.

I can't wait to let you know how they were.

Thank you CafeMom and Barilla for the package of love you sent me. I can't wait to get started on those meals.

[joshbellamom]

I also received my Barilla Pasta Package yesterday and I also want to thank you. I am excited to try the recipes, I will definitely add my own twist to it though and post my recipe along with which pasta I used and let you know what my family of 4 thought. My kids love pasta it's their absolute fav, must be the italian in them. Thanks again!

[fruitypeb5]

i didn't get them yet, but i can't wait!  I'M EXCITED!!

[JenE4]

I'm a huge fan of Barilla Plus Pasta--and also Barilla's Whole Grain Pasta. I haven't have "white" pasta in several years--even before the mainstream pasta companies like Barilla started making healthier, whole-grain options and there were just pastas like organic spelt grain. Those original spelt pastas turned my son off to pasta, so even when I make whole-grain pasta--which tastes very similar to white pasta--he sees the brown color and screams, "Ew! Spelt!" But this is where Barilla Plus has an advantage over Barilla Whole Grain! The Plus looks like regular old white pasta when it's cooked, while the Whole Grain is just as you would imagine, brown like whole-grain bread next to white bread. So, if you have a picky kid, they won't even know you're giving them "healthy" pasta with Barilla Plus.

What makes the Plus "plus" compared to regular old white pasta is that to the white semolina, they add a "grain and legume flour blend" that consists of lentils, chickpeas, flaxseed, barley, spelt (don't tell my son!), oats, and oat flour. This bumps up the protein (17g/serving) and fiber content (7g/serving)--and also adds some Omega-3 (28% daily recommended) with the flaxseed. Flaxseed and fiber is important for everyone's health, and the added protein is particularly important for vegans or perhaps picky kids who don't eat meat. Also, I have hypoglycemia, so too much carbs would make my blood sugar spike and drop. Protein helps keep blood sugar stable, so while this is NOT advertised or doctor-recommended--just my own non-expert opinion, lol--it certainly helps with that "carb overload" feeling that some people might have from a carb-heavy meal lacking in protein. Since I had the Whole Grain pasta (which I typically get) just a couple of days before I made the Plus, I was able to compare them carefully, and I'm definitely a convert to the Plus! And although I JUST stocked up on the Barilla Whole Grain and now I have several boxes of the Barilla Plus in my pantry, too, lol, I will definitely be buying nothing other than Barilla Plus moving forward. (Seriously. I'm not just saying that because of the cute yellow apron that was mentioned!)

[JenE4]

Along with the boxes Barilla Plus were some really yummy sounding recipes. I have not tried them yet since I didn't have the ingredients on hand, but a couple of my favorite tips for entrees alongside pasta are for both the breading for chicken parmesian and instead of the breadcrumbs for meatballs, I season wheat germ and a couple of dashes of ground flaxseed. A lot healthier than breadcrumbs, and just like with the Barilla Plus, your family will never know it's good for them!

[kk_bella]

I was not a part of this influencer program, but Barrilla plus is all I feed my family when it comes to pasta.

I can't eat any pasta, but I love the taste of barilla plus. 

[BellaBear]

i just recieved my box today. was totally excited that there were FIVE boxes,some recipes and an apron. Tonight i am going to try the spagetti one. so wish me luck

[lcbinpc]

I also just recieved my package today. I can't wait to make dinner! And the recipes look yummy. I have a nephew-that lives with me-that will not eat meat, it actually makes him gag. He loves veggies, so a pasta with extra protein and veggies will be right along with what he likes.

I've also wanted to quit cooking so much meat-it gets expensive buying meat for 7 people. So we can do a vegetarian meal and still get enough protein.

Thanks Barilla and Cafemom!