Barilla Protein+ Penne – High-Protein Plant Pasta for Office Lunch Meal Prep
Barilla Protein+ Penne – High-Protein Plant Pasta for Office Lunch Meal Prep
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Why you'll love it
- Delivers 17g of plant-based protein per serving without leaving the comfort of a familiar pasta shape
- Cooks in only 8 minutes, making it faster than most whole-grain or legume pastas on the market
- Trusted Barilla brand heritage reduces the risk of trying a novel legume-based pasta
- Covers multiple dietary needs at once: vegan, kosher, non-GMO, no trans fat, no cholesterol
- Pairs with virtually any sauce style, so it replaces regular penne without recipe changes
- Adds fiber along with protein, supporting satiety and digestive health goals
- Does not spike blood sugar for diabetic consumers
- Holds its shape well during cooking and doesn't become overly soft when prepared properly
- Penne size appears small in the box but expands nicely after cooking
- Pasta expands/larger after cooking than it looks in the box
- Cooks very quickly
- Texture stays good even as leftovers (unlike some protein pastas)
- Holds together better than plain chickpea pasta
- Cooks in exactly 9 minutes for reliable al-dente results every time
- Mild flavor that pairs easily with different sauces, vegetables, or proteins without overpowering the meal
- Kids don't notice a difference from regular pasta
- Better priced than local grocery stores
- Subscribe & Save makes it cheaper than many store brands while offering more nutrition
Perfect for
- Quick 8-minute weeknight dinner with marinara, pesto, or meat sauce
- Post-workout high-protein pasta bowl for muscle recovery
- Plant-based protein base for baked penne casseroles with cheese and vegetables
- Meal prep for lunches with 7 pre-portioned servings per box
- Family pasta night for households mixing vegan and omnivore eaters
- Mixing half a cup of cooked pasta with mayo, shredded chicken, chopped tomatoes, sautéed green beans, sweet peppers, kidney beans and seasonings for a protein-packed cold pasta salad
- Serving al-dente with basil and peas as a hearty dinner
- Using in spaghetti, baked pasta dishes, and mac and cheese style dinners
- Pairing with butter, cheese, and fresh herbs as a simple protein source without meat
- Combining with browned mushrooms, caramelized onions, and orange peppers for a vegetable-forward dish
- Adding turkey sausage chunks and veggies for a complete dinner
- Subscribing via Subscribe & Save for better value than store brands
Product Information
BARILLA PROTEIN PLUS PASTA: Good source of plant-based protein with a classic taste, simple ingredients, and penne pasta shape PROTEIN PLUS PENNE PASTA: Single 14.5 ounce box contains about 7, 2-ounce servings of plant based pasta PLANT BASED PASTA: Made with 17g of 100% plant-based protein from lentil flour, pea protein and chickpea flour per 3.5 oz. serving—it's a good source of fiber KOSHER CERTIFIED and NON-GMO PASTA: Barilla protein pasta is Non-GMO Project Verified, kosher certified and is made in the USA GREAT WITH YOUR FAVORITE SAUCE: Protein Plus tastes great served with pesto sauce or your favorite marinara sauce Protein Plus pasta pairs well with vegetable pasta sauce, cheese sauce, oil or butter-based pasta sauce and meat sauce BARILLA PROTEIN plus : A delicious alternative to other brands of high protein pasta, protein spaghetti, protein noodles and other types of high protein food PERFECTION IN UNDER 10 MINUTES: Boil 4–6 quarts of salted water, add pasta and boil for 8 minutes (add 1 or 2 extra minutes for more tender pasta), drain pasta and top with your favorite Barilla pasta sauce PENNE PASTA: Penne are designed for meat, vegetable, cheese and oil or butter-based sauces. They are also perfect for baked dishes made with sauce and cheese Get inspired with Barilla Enjoy the full range of Barilla pasta and pasta sauces, including Ready Pasta, Protein plus Pasta, Whole Grain Pasta, Gluten Free Pasta, Chickpea Pasta and Red Lentil Pasta. Get inspired with Barilla Enjoy the full range of Barilla pasta and pasta sauces, including Ready Pasta, Protein plus Pasta, Whole Grain Pasta, Gluten Free Pasta, Chickpea Pasta and Red Lentil Pasta. 14.5 ounce box Contains grain & legume flour blend Good source of protein and fiber No trans fat, no cholesterol Kosher Show more
Product Dimensions : 4.9 x 2.4 x 7.3 inches; 14.5 ounces Item model number : dinirao UPC : 076808533606 Manufacturer : Barilla Units : 14.5 Ounce Best Sellers Rank: #1,956 in Grocery & Gourmet Food
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I get a high-protein dinner on the table on a busy weeknight?
In about 8 minutes of cook time. Boil 4 to 6 quarts of salted water, cook the penne until al-dente, drain, and toss with your sauce or mix-ins. It's faster than most whole-grain or legume pastas on the market.
Is this a good pasta to portion out for the work week?
Yes. The 14.5 oz box yields approximately 7 servings of 2 oz dry pasta each, which is an ideal size for pre-portioning five weekday lunches plus a couple of dinners or backup meals.
Does the pasta hold up in the fridge as leftovers for office lunches?
Yes. Barilla Protein+ Penne maintains its texture well in the refrigerator, unlike some protein pastas that turn gummy or dry out overnight, so it works for grab-and-go weekday meal prep.
Is the 17g of protein per serving enough to keep me full through a workday?
For most people, yes. The protein and fiber combination is designed to support satiety, so a portion at lunch generally holds until an afternoon snack without leaving you sluggish mid-meeting.
Can I subscribe to save money and skip reordering?
Yes. Subscribe and Save is available, and the recurring price typically comes in below many grocery store brands, while delivering 17g of plant protein per serving that standard store-brand penne does not.
Is this a fast enough pasta to cook after a late gym session?
Yes. An 8-minute boil, a quick sauce, and a single pot gets dinner on the table in roughly 10 to 12 minutes, which is realistic even on a 9 p.m. end time.
Will my picky office lunch actually look and taste like normal pasta?
It will. The penne shape is familiar, the flavor is mild, and the texture mimics traditional pasta, so coworkers or family members eating your prep will not notice it is a plant-based protein pasta.
Does this pasta reheat well in a microwave or office kitchen?
Yes. Because the texture holds up well, you can reheat a prepped portion in the microwave with a splash of water and it returns to a near-fresh consistency.
How does this compare to other quick-cook high-protein pastas?
Barilla Protein+ Penne typically beats them on two points: an 8-minute cook time and a texture that does not turn chalky or mushy, so it functions as a true weeknight pasta, not a compromise.
How does it compare to a regular box of penne from the grocery store?
You get the same familiar penne shape and cook routine, but with 17g of plant protein, added fiber, and a more balanced macronutrient profile than standard refined semolina penne.
I'm worried a high-protein pasta will take 20+ minutes to cook. Is that the case here?
No. This pasta is done in 8 minutes, comparable to or faster than standard penne, so it slots into a busy schedule without forcing a longer boil.
What if I forget to soak or prep in advance — is this still doable on a weeknight?
It is designed for exactly that scenario. No soaking, no pre-mixing, no extra steps. Boil, drain, sauce, and serve in under 15 minutes from cabinet to plate.
Is this an efficient use of my grocery budget compared to other protein options?
For a pantry-staple base, yes. At Subscribe and Save pricing, a 14.5 oz box with 7 servings comes in well below the cost of most pre-made protein meals, and it replaces regular penne in your usual recipes.
How do I cook Barilla Protein+ Penne for the best texture?
Bring 4 to 6 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook for 8 minutes until al-dente, stirring occasionally. Drain and pair with your preferred sauce, vegetables, or protein. The 3.5 oz dry serving is what delivers 17g of plant-based protein.
Can I bake this pasta in a casserole or baked penne recipe?
Yes. The penne shape is specifically designed for meat, vegetable, cheese, oil, and butter-based sauces as well as baked pasta dishes. You can par-boil the pasta, combine it with sauce and cheese, and bake as usual.
How do I store leftover cooked pasta?
Refrigerate cooked pasta in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days. The texture holds up well in the fridge, so leftovers can be reheated with a splash of water in a microwave or sautéed briefly in a pan.
Does this pasta work with any sauce style?
Yes. Barilla Protein+ Penne is designed to pair with virtually any sauce, including marinara, pesto, meat sauce, Alfredo, oil-based sauces, and cheese sauces, as well as baked and cold preparations.
Can I use this pasta in cold pasta salads?
Yes. Many users combine a half cup of cooked Barilla Protein+ Penne with ingredients like mayo, shredded chicken, chopped tomatoes, sautéed green beans, sweet peppers, kidney beans, and seasonings for a high-protein cold pasta salad that holds its texture in the fridge.
What is in the box when I order it?
Each order contains a 14.5 oz box of Barilla Protein+ Penne pasta, which yields approximately 7 servings of 2 oz dry pasta each. No additional ingredients, mixes, or accessories are required to cook it.
Is this pasta safe for people with common food allergies?
Barilla Protein+ Penne is vegan, kosher certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, contains no trans fat, and has no cholesterol. As with any packaged food, you should review the ingredient statement on the box to confirm it is appropriate for your specific allergy or dietary needs.
Will this pasta cause digestive discomfort like some legume pastas?
Most users tolerate it well. The lentil, chickpea, and pea flour blend is designed to be easier on digestion than many pure legume pastas, and the moderate fiber level avoids the gastrointestinal side effects that some high-fiber pastas produce.
How is Barilla Protein+ Penne different from regular Barilla penne?
Regular Barilla penne is made from refined semolina wheat flour and delivers a standard carbohydrate-focused macronutrient profile, while Barilla Protein+ Penne is made from a lentil, chickpea, and pea flour blend that delivers 17g of plant-based protein plus added fiber per 3.5 oz serving.
