A healthier lunch with Barilla Microwaveable Pasta Meals

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.

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

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. 

I 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!

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