A healthier lunch with Barilla Microwaveable Pasta Meals

barilla logo

Now that the kids are finally back in school, you would think I would have more time for me. First, I need to play catch up with all of the work and household chores that I’ve let go over the summer! Often times I’ll be scrambling so much during the day that I forget to eat lunch. That only leads to one grouchy mama by the time I look up and the kids are getting home — ready for supper to be started. 

To avoid turning into a grouch, I look for easy to prepare lunch options for myself. I’m the only one home during the day and I do not want to spend half an hour cooking a meal for one. Recently, I tried the new Barilla Microwaveable Meals and I am surprised to say that I enjoyed them! I love using Barilla products when I cook for my family so it only makes sense to turn to them for a delicious lunch for myself.

Barilla microwaveable meals

As much as I do like cooking with Barilla, I wasn’t sure I would care for the Barilla microwaveable meals. I worried that the pasta would be soggy or overcooked — it isn’t at all! Barilla separated the pasta from the sauce for heating to avoid the problem of soggy pasta. Once you heat the meal in the microwave, you can pour the hot sauce over top the perfectly cooked pasta.

No waiting for waiting for water to boil. No opening a big jar of sauce for a small portion. No fuss, just a bowl of deliciousness! The Barilla Microwaveable Meals come in five different flavors: 

  • Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
  • Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
  • Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce
  • Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
  • Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

barilla microwaveable meals

They heat up in 60 seconds flat, even in my old wonky microwave! The Barilla meals are a fairly healthy lunch at only 320 calories per serving tray, no preservatives and 100% natural ingredients. The 9 ounce portion size is just right, I am comfortably full and satisfied after enjoying my meal. Having two whole grain meal options is nice. I like the taste of whole grain pasta, my family does not. Now I can just have a serving of it without making a huge pot!

If I were to nitpick, I would tell you to be careful when you are pulling the plastic cover back to vent. Without fail, I always seem to splash the sauce — I’m just not careful enough! This isn’t a big deal, just something to watch out for if you’re wearing white! 

My favorite is the Barilla Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce. I really love how fresh the sauce and pasta taste, you wouldn’t know it was a microwave meal if someone put this in a bowl and served it to you. 


Barilla microwave pasta mealsI also really enjoyed the Traditional Marinara Sauce meal. I decided to top that one with a leftover baked chicken tender and a sprinkle of mozzarella and parsley — so good!

Having these Barilla Microwaveable Meals on hand is a nice change of pace from a cold deli sandwich or a few crackers with peanut butter, they definitely fuel me up for the rest of the day! I’m going to go eat a whole grain fusilli with veggie marinara sauce right now {well, as soon as it’s lunch time}.

Where to buy and how to stay in touch!

The Barilla Microwaveable Meals are available in the microwaveable meal aisle of your grocers’ shelves. You can also find Barilla Microwaveable Meals on Amazon.com. Visit the Barilla Facebook page to find a $1.00 off downloadable coupon so you try Barilla Microwaveable Meals!

barilla microwaveable meals coupon

Win all of the Barilla Microwaveable Meals!

Thanks to Barilla and Mom Central, one lucky reader will win 5 coupons try try the meals for free! WooHoo! 

Entry is super easy using the Rafflecopter form below. Just complete the first mandatory entry to open up a bunch of optional extra entries! Giveaway is open to U.S. ages 18+ only and will end on September 20, 2012 at 12:01am est. Please read the official rules at the bottom of the Rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Henrietta's signature image

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Barilla and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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About the Author

Henrietta Newman is a self-loving empty-nester into smudging, nature, yoga, fitness, healthy living, hunting, camping, hiking, tech, video games, gadgets, recipes, reviews and more.
With a love for the outdoors and visiting local attractions in and around NW PA and Lake Erie, you never know what you'll find in my nest! Subscribe to A Hen's Nest so you don't miss the fun!

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Comments

  1. 1
    Nichole Wilson says

    yummy!! These are very convenient especially on those busy days!

  2. 2

    I’d like to try Spicy Marinara meal

  3. 3
    Chrystal Davis says

    YUM! The Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce would be my first choice!

  4. 4
    paige chandler says

    The Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce—Mmmmmmmm

  5. 5

    Spicy Marinara for me!

  6. 6

    Sure like to try of ’em..

  7. 7

    I’d like to try Marinara Basil.

  8. 8

    The vegetable marinara

  9. 9

    I’d like to try Spicy Marinara meal

  10. 10

    spicy marinara

  11. 11
    Theron Willis says

    Spicy Marinara!

  12. 12

    the spicy marinara is calling my name@

  13. 13
    jodi lasher says

    I would love to try the marinara first.. thanks

  14. 14

    I would like the spicy marinara.

  15. 15
    Debra L. Guillen says

    Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  16. 16

    I’d like to try the Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce first.
    Thank you!

  17. 17

    spicy marinara

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  18. 18

    oo, definitely spicy marinara!

  19. 19

    I would try the tomato basil first!

  20. 20

    I would like to try Barilla’s Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce microwave meal.

  21. 21
    apple blossom says

    Mezze Penne with Marinara Sauce

  22. 22

    I would try the Mezzy Penne with Spicy Marina first. I LOVE Barilla products! YUMMMMMM

  23. 23

    I would like spicy marinara

  24. 24

    I would love to try them all, GOD BLESS AND KEEP YA’LL SAFE IN HIS LOVING ARMS.

  25. 25

    I would like to try the Tomato & Basil

  26. 26
    susan hartman says

    I would like to try the spicy marinara

  27. 27
    Linda Lansford says

    I want Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  28. 28
    Les Johnson says

    I would like to try the Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce.

  29. 29
    Jennifer Patalsky says

    Tomato and basil.

  30. 30
    ivy arrington says

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce sound great that would be my first pick

  31. 31
    Penny Snyder says

    Tomato & Basil sounds great! grammypenny@frontier.com

  32. 32
    Janna Johnson says

    tomato basil Awesome giveaway! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on GFC

  33. 33

    Penne with spicy marinara

  34. 34
    Tari Lawson says

    I would like to try the Penne with spicey marinara sauce.

  35. 35

    Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  36. 36

    I’d love to try the Fusilli.

  37. 37

    the spicy marinara

  38. 38

    Thanks, I would like to try the spicy marinara.

  39. 39
    Elizabeth J says

    spicy marinara

  40. 40

    Spicy Marinara!

  41. 41

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce

  42. 42

    I would like to try try Spicy Marinara

  43. 43

    want to try spicy marinara

  44. 44

    I would like to try the Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato and Basil Sauce.

  45. 45

    The Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce.

  46. 46

    I want to try the spicy marinara.

  47. 47

    I like the whole grain fusilli with vegetable marinara

  48. 48
    Jacob LaFountaine says

    Tomato & Basil sounds good

  49. 49

    Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato and Basil Sauce would be my first choice!

  50. 50

    I would like to try the Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce. s2inamug at aim dot com

  51. 51

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
    Thanks
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

  52. 52
    Misses Giveaways says

    Whole Grain Tomato and Basil

  53. 53
    Allison Downes says

    I would love to try the Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce first! Thanks for the tasty giveaway!

  54. 54
    olivia rubin says

    spicy marinara

  55. 55

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce

  56. 56

    I can’t wait to try the Mezze Penne Tomato & Basil!
    Thanks!
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

  57. 57

    i would start with their original marinara sauce

  58. 58

    I would like to try the Spicy Marinara

  59. 59

    the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  60. 60

    tomato and basil

  61. 61

    The Spicy Marinara sounds great!

  62. 62

    Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  63. 63

    Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  64. 64

    Those actually look pretty delicious! I’d love to try the Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce.

  65. 65
    Tiffany Christie says

    I’d love to try the spicy marinara

  66. 66
    Ashley turicik says

    Marinara basil looks yummy

  67. 67
    Trasina McGahey says

    I would love to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  68. 68
    shelby brigham says

    i want to try tomato and basil

  69. 69
    SARAH OSWALD says

    i would love to try the whole grain vegetable marinaria dish.

  70. 70

    Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce for me

    ky2here at msn dot com

  71. 71

    Tomato and Basil

  72. 72

    Whole grain marinara

  73. 73
    David Basile says

    Marinara Basil

  74. 74

    I would like to try the Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(d0t)com

  75. 75

    The spicy marinara looks awesome!

  76. 76

    tomato and basil for sure.

  77. 77
    Samantha Meyer says

    Mezze Penne with Tomato Basil sounds good!

  78. 78

    I would first try the Traditional Marinara Sauce meal

  79. 79
    Richard Hicks says

    want to try spicy marinara

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  80. 80

    I’d love to try the Spicy Marinara.

  81. 81
    Paula Tavernie says

    Id try The Tomato and basil first!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

  82. 82
    Valerie Taylor Mabrey says

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  83. 83

    Spicy Marinara sounds good.

  84. 84

    I’d like to try the Marinara first.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  85. 85

    The whole grain mezze penne with tomato and basil sauce sounds good.

  86. 86

    I’d like to try tomato and basil penne.

  87. 87
    Jennifer Peaslee says

    mezze penne with tomato and basil sauce :)

  88. 88

    Spicy marinara =)

  89. 89

    I would like tomato and basil.

  90. 90
    Richard Morris says

    spicy marinera for me!

  91. 91

    Spicy Marinara is my Barilla of choice!

  92. 92
    Brittney House says

    spicy marinara sounds good

  93. 93

    Spicy Marinara

    annabella @ centurytel dot net

  94. 94

    The Spicy Marinara

  95. 95
    Lucy Schwartz says

    I wouold sign up for the Spicy Marinara.

  96. 96
    Cheryl Reinhardt says

    Barilla Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  97. 97

    I’d love to try the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil!

  98. 98

    Spicy Marinara sounds delicious!

  99. 99

    I’d like to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  100. 100
    PinkySwayers says

    My favorite is the Spicy Marinara. Thanks for the giveaway!

  101. 101

    I think I would try tomato and basil first.

  102. 102

    Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

  103. 103

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce

  104. 104
    susan smoaks says

    I would love to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce first!

  105. 105

    I’d love to try the Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara!

  106. 106
    christal c w says

    I would try the spicy marinara

  107. 107
    Caitlin McClure says

    I’d like spicy marinara

  108. 108
    Jessica Carnaggio says

    I would like to try the Spicy Marinara.

  109. 109

    MARINERA

  110. 110
    Rasheda Wilson says

    I would like to try the tomato and basil

  111. 111

    I would love to try the Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce.

  112. 112

    id love the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  113. 113
    Deborah Wallin says

    Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce

  114. 114

    I’d like to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  115. 115
    Chrissy Nestor says

    I’d love to try the ◦Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce

    chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com

  116. 116

    Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce

  117. 117
    cassandra (rab pom) says

    I would like to serve some tomato and basil!

  118. 118

    I would like to try the Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce

  119. 119
    Brad Merrell says

    The Spicy Marinara

  120. 120

    I want to try the Mezze pasta with Spicy Marinara!

  121. 121

    I like the Mezze Penne with Marinara Sauce

  122. 122
    Virginia Rowell says

    I think the spicy marinara first.

  123. 123

    I would most like to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce. :-) Thank you.

  124. 124
    Carolyn Daley says

    Spicy Marinara

  125. 125

    Spicy Marinara

  126. 126

    The Mezze Penne!

  127. 127
    Buddy Garrett says

    I would love to try Spicy Marinara.

  128. 128
    Gaines Simmons says

    Hello, how are you? Thank you for this opportunity. I like the tomato and basil.

  129. 129
    Laurie Emerson says

    I would like to try the Spicy Marinara first.
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

  130. 130

    Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce

  131. 131

    Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce.

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