Barilla Penne Pasta, 16 oz Box – Family-Size Pantry Staple Kid-Tested for Picky Eaters
Barilla Penne Pasta, 16 oz Box – Family-Size Pantry Staple Kid-Tested for Picky Eaters
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Why you'll love it
- Trusted Italian family brand making pasta since 1877 delivers consistent quality across generations
- Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients appeal to clean-label shoppers
- Ridged penne shape holds chunky sauces inside and out, improving every bite
- Fast 11–12 minute cook time suits busy weeknight schedules
- Kosher certification opens the product to observant Jewish households and kosher-keeping guests
- No trans fat and no cholesterol make it a guilt-free pantry staple
- Bronze-cut rough texture holds heavy sauces well
- Reaches perfect al dente texture (11-12 minutes)
- Sturdy, not too sticky
- Penne size and shape are perfect
- Authentic Italian brand (served in Italy)
- Stays fresh and consistent in the box unlike other brands
- Doesn't turn pasty or break apart when cooked
- Good value for feeding a family
- Passes picky eaters' taste test
- Cheaper than local store prices
- Cooks quickly
- Very versatile for many meal types
Perfect for
- Quick 11–12 minute weeknight dinner paired with a chunky tomato or meat sauce
- Baked penne dishes like penne alla vodka or penne arrabbiata for dinner parties
- Cold pasta salads for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings
- Bulk pantry stocking with the 3-pack variant for households that cook pasta frequently
- Holiday meal side dish or base for refined dairy-based sauces
- Spaghetti sauce dishes
- Stews
- Hotdish/casserole (Minnesotan style)
- Tossed with melted butter
- Served with various meats
- Melted cheese toppings
- Quick weeknight meals
- Standard weekly staple meals
About this item
The ridges of Penne make it ideal for retaining sauces on the entire surface, inside and out! Barilla Penne pasta is made with non-GMO ingredients. Barilla is a family-owned company making pasta since 1877. Barilla brings you pasta made with care and high quality ingredients; Barilla works to bring you the best pasta that cooks perfectly al dente every time. Our penne pasta is made from durum wheat and is non-GMO project verified and Kosher Certified. Perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta sauce, it is a key ingredient in versatile dishes like pasta salads, cold pasta dishes, and side dishes. Get inspired with Barilla! Enjoy the full range of Barilla pasta and pasta sauces, including Protein+ Pasta, whole grain pasta, gluten free pasta, chickpea pasta, and Red Lentil Pasta. These pantry staples are used for flavor enhancement, consistent cooking, and pasta perfection. Ideal for quick meal prep and easy assembly, they suit versatile recipe pairing and diverse ingredient matching, perfect for dinner parties, casual dining gatherings, and holiday meals.
- Product Dimensions : 5.2 x 2.8 x 7.9 inches; 1 Pounds
- Ingredients: Semolina (Wheat), Durum Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid.
- Nutritional value: On the product
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my picky eater actually like the texture of Barilla Penne Pasta?
Yes, customers consistently report that Barilla Penne passes the picky eater test with its perfect al dente bite that is sturdy without being sticky or mushy.
Is this pasta safe and appropriate for my school-age children's weeknight dinners?
Yes, Barilla Penne is made from durum wheat semolina with Non-GMO verified ingredients and is a trusted family staple for school-night meals.
Can I use Barilla Penne for kid-friendly baked pasta casseroles?
Absolutely, penne is a classic shape for baked penne, penne alla vodka, and penne arrabbiata, all of which are family-friendly dinner options.
Does the penne shape hold up well in a lunchbox pasta salad the next day?
Yes, the bronze-cut rough texture and sturdy hollow shape prevent the penne from turning pasty or breaking apart, even after a night in the fridge.
Is the cook time fast enough for hungry kids waiting at the dinner table?
Yes, Barilla Penne cooks in just 11-12 minutes, which is perfect for getting dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry or restless.
I need a family-size box that feeds four without breaking the budget. Is this a good value?
Yes, the 16 oz Barilla Penne box is great value for feeding a family, and the 3-pack variant offers additional savings for households that cook pasta frequently.
Can my college-age son use this same pasta in his dorm or apartment kitchen?
Yes, the 11-12 minute cook time and simple stovetop preparation make Barilla Penne ideal for college-age cooks with limited kitchen equipment.
Will this pasta work for a casual family dinner party with kids and adults?
Absolutely, penne alla vodka, penne arrabbiata, and baked penne dishes are crowd-pleasers that appeal to both children and adult guests.
Is there anything in this pasta I should be cautious about for children with allergies?
Barilla Penne is made from durum wheat semolina and contains wheat, so it is not suitable for children with celiac disease or wheat allergies; always check the package for the most current allergen information.
Can I sneak vegetables into a penne dish and have my kids still eat it?
Yes, the ridged hollow penne shape holds chunky sauces beautifully, so you can incorporate finely chopped or blended vegetables into tomato or cream sauces and kids will still enjoy it.
How does Barilla Penne compare to other pasta brands my kids usually eat?
Customers report that Barilla Penne stays firm and does not turn pasty or break apart like some other brands, and it consistently reaches a true al dente texture that picky eaters prefer.
Is this pasta better for kids than fresh or refrigerated pasta options?
For a quick weeknight family meal, dry Barilla Penne is more convenient, shelf-stable, and budget-friendly than fresh pasta, while still delivering excellent texture.
Is Barilla Penne a better choice than rice or noodles for my child's dinner rotation?
Penne offers variety and pairs well with both tomato and cheese-based sauces that kids love, making it a strong staple to rotate alongside rice and other grains.
My child does not like mushy pasta. Will this turn out al dente every time?
Yes, Barilla Penne is designed to reach a perfect al dente texture in 11-12 minutes, with a sturdy bite that does not get mushy when properly cooked.
Is this pasta too big or hard for younger children to chew comfortably?
Penne is a medium-sized short pasta that is easy to chew for most children; for very young toddlers, you can simply cut the tubes in half lengthwise.
Will the penne pieces get stuck in my toddler's throat like long spaghetti does?
Penne is a short-cut pasta that is generally safer for toddlers than long strands like spaghetti, since there are no trailing noodles to slip down the throat.
How long should I cook Barilla Penne Pasta for perfect al dente texture?
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add salt if desired, and cook the penne for 11-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your preferred al dente bite.
How much salt and water should I use when cooking a 16 oz box of penne?
Use at least 4-6 quarts of water per 16 oz box, and add 1-2 tablespoons of salt once the water reaches a rolling boil for properly seasoned pasta.
Should I rinse Barilla Penne after draining for cold pasta salads?
Yes, for cold pasta salads, rinse the cooked penne under cold water to stop the cooking process, remove excess starch, and cool it down quickly for dressing.
Is Barilla Penne Pasta compatible with gluten-free diets?
No, this Barilla Penne is made from durum wheat semolina and contains wheat; if you need gluten-free pasta, look for Barilla's separate gluten-free line.
Does this pasta work with vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-based sauces equally well?
Yes, the neutral flavor of durum wheat semolina and the ridged hollow shape pair beautifully with tomato sauces, meat sauces, dairy-based sauces like alfredo, and vegan oil-based sauces.
What is included in the box when I order a single 16 oz Barilla Penne?
You will receive one 16 oz box of Barilla Penne Pasta with a sealed inner bag to keep the pasta fresh until you are ready to cook.
Is Barilla Penne safe for people with celiac disease or wheat allergies?
No, this pasta is made from durum wheat semolina and is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergies.
Does Barilla Penne contain any common allergens I should know about?
Barilla Penne contains wheat, which is a major allergen; it is manufactured in a facility that may also process eggs, so always check the package label for the most current allergen information.
What is the difference between penne and rigatoni, and which is better for baked dishes?
Penne is a shorter, narrower tube with diagonal cuts and ridges, while rigatoni is a longer, wider tube with straight cuts and ridges; both work well in baked dishes, but rigatoni's larger size holds even more chunky sauce and cheese.
