Rediscovering Pasta

In the 1960s, pasta was a tasty meal extender for cash-strapped families. Pasta’s popularity waned in the 1970s as TV dinners became more prevalent, but experienced a renaissance in the next decade with the return of pasta salads and the growth of jarred sauces for easy-to-prepare dinners. The low-carb craze in the early 2000s practically drove pasta off the shelves. But now it’s back! Ethnic and innovative flavors, premium and frozen selections, expanded kid-friendly options, nutritious ingredients and good value are renewing interest in this old standby.

Grocery aisles are now filled with Artichoke, Lemon Chive, Garlic Parsley and Portabella Mushroom pastas. Al Dente Pasta (Whitmore Lake, Mich.) offers unique varieties such as Egg and Squid Ink Fettuccini (appropriately titled Land and Sea) and Spicy Sesame Linguini, while Torino Pasta Co. offers Saffron, Beet and Spinach flavored pasta. Ravioli fillings now feature ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, butternut squash and portabella mushrooms, paired with cheeses such as gorgonzola, fontina and Grana Padano. Rossi Pasta’s (Marietta, Ohio) features a Chocolate Cabernet Fettuccini that can double as a dessert by adding vanilla or raspberry sauce.

“Better for you” pasta, especially fortified, organic, whole wheat and whole grain, is popular, too. Racconto (Melrose Park, Ill.) recently launched Essentials Digestive Health, a new probiotic line of pasta.

There is more fun, healthy, kid-friendly pasta than ever before. Jolie Ravioli kids’ line from New York Ravioli & Pasta Co. (New Hyde Park, N.Y.), features stars, hearts and bear-shaped pasta. The line also includes a whole-grain, low-fat ravioli. Amy’s Kitchen (Petaluma, Calif.) recently added kids’ meals to its organic products. The line includes gluten- and dairy-free baked ziti made with rice noodles and Mac ‘n Cheese with a side of organic broccoli.

Frozen pasta dinners are also on the rise. Varieties in the freezer case now include Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese from the Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. (Cundy’s Harbor, Maine). Under its ForkMates line, RP’s Pasta Co. (Madison, Wisc.) offers microwavable frozen pasta dinners such as Portabella Ravioli with Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce.

With all the great new ingredients, innovative products and key emerging categories, today’s pasta offers a lot of options.—Nicole Denis and Vanessa Facenda 

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