I eat lunch on-the-go five days a week. Every working day means grabbing something super quick in time to be ready for my next group of students. Most days I eat cafeteria food, which is sometimes ok, and other times I grab a bag of chips and call it good, which is definitely NOT ok. I try to pack lunches the night before, and sometimes I succeed, but I have so little time because of my “mom duties” at night (supper, bathing the kid, homework, bedtime) that it’s just easier to “grab and go”.
BARILLA MICROWAVABLE MEALS
Barilla now has a new line of microwavable meals that can help you eat healthier while you’re on-the-go.
My family was sent five Barilla Microwavable Meals to try out and see if it made those quick grab-and-go eating times a little more healthy and delicious. The meals come in five different flavors and include Tomato & Basil, Marinara, Spicy Marinara, Whole Grain Tomato & Basil, and Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara.
With Barilla Microwavable Meals, you get:
- 100% Natural Ingredients
- No preservatives
- Relatively low calories (only 320 calories per meal)
- Two whole grain options
I’m quite a bit skeptical about meals that are packaged because most of the time I find that I’m having to sacrifice taste. However, I love Barilla and use their rotini pasta religiously in the salads I do manage to make for lunch during the week, so I was excited to give these meals a try. My husband was also thrilled. He is a truck driver and likes to keep hassle-free foods in his truck in case of emergencies (like being stranded on a interstate in a blizzard) and for those times when he stops in smaller towns with no truck parking at restaurants (or no restaurant at all).
I chose the Mezze Penne Spicy Marinara to try out and I have to say I was floored! The marinara sauce was robust and amazing and had just the right kick of heat. I love that these meals are hearty…you definitely get a good portion in each. Each meal heats up in 60 seconds, so there is no waiting a few minutes, stirring, then heating again. That in itself is a major selling point with me!
I also love the fact that the sauce tray just lifts right out of the main cooking tray, so there is no awkward and sloppy stirring involved. If you’re not crazy about too much sauce, you can just add as much as you want. I did find that the pasta was a bit firmer than I was expecting once it was cooked, but I’m one of those people that likes really soft pasta, so this wasn’t a total turn-off, just different.
I think this little microwavable meal is pretty much perfect and can’t believe something in a package can taste so great. We also found that we preferred the regular pasta to the whole grain wheat options.
Be sure and visit the Barilla website to grab a coupon for $1 off and learn more about their Microwavable Meals and check out Barilla on Facebook.
GIVEAWAY:
I have 5 coupons to give away! Each coupon is good for one FREE Barilla Microwavable Meal. I will draw 5 winners who will each receive one coupon. U.S. Only, void where prohibited. Giveaway ends on September 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST.
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. You can do as many or as few entries as you like. Each counts as an entry.
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.
Spicy Marinara
The Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara.
I’m excited to try Whole Grain Tomato & Basil. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would like to try Barilla’s Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce microwave meal.
The spicy marinara! i love anything spicy and with a kick!
penne with the spicy marinara sauce.
spicy marinara
kport207 at gmail dot com
Kathleen recently posted..HipSwap Week 5 and 6 Designer Handbag Giveaway! #Win a Chanel Tote! #WinThisBag
The Mezze Penne Spicy Marinara
Spicy Marinara served with a jug of Chianti.
Hope to win!
Penne Spicy marinara
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I want Spicy Marinara, Whole Grain Tomato & Basil
The Tomato & Basil sounds yummy!
I’m anxious to try the Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara! Thanks.
I want to scarf the spicy marinara. Drool.
I am excited to try the penne with spicy marinara.
tomato and basil
excited about the marinara
I’d start with Tomato & Basil
Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
Whole grain vegetable marinara sounds great!
the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil
spicy marinara
tomato basil
Awesome giveaway! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on GFC
Janna Johnson recently posted..Blogger Opp Free! – Rachel Ray Giveaway
the whole wheat fusili!
Spicy marinara
The Mezze Penne
All of them except for the meat ones.
Alexandria Vegetarian Bagpiper recently posted..Firefighters, police in Bulloch Co. gather to remember 9-11
tomato and basil
Im wanting to try out the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil
Thanks for the yummy giveaway!
I really would like to try the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil.
Whole Grain Tomato & Basil sounds good!
I’d love to try the Mezze Penne Spicy Marinara
The Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara
I want to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce.
I want to try the mezze penne with traditional marinara sauce.
Spicy Marinara Sauce
Spicy Marinara
Deb K recently posted..Eddie Bauer Travel System Giveaway 9/30
like to try out the Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
spicy marinara
I’d like to try the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
the Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
I would like to try the Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce.
whole grain tomato basil would be my pick
spicy marinara
penne with spicy marinara sauce
Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Spicy Marinara
Chloe S recently posted..It’s Ok Thursdays
The Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara
Spicy Marinara
Emily recently posted..Chuggington: Traintastic Adventures Giveaway (10/11)
Whole Grain Tomato & Basil
Whole grain pasta with veggie marinara. Thanks for the giveaway.
The Barilla’s Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce sounds awesome
I’d like the penne with spicy marinara.
Tomato & Basil.
Penne with tomato & basil sauce
Spicy Marinara
The Tomato & Basil! The joys of high summer!
Barilla’s Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Whole grain tomato and basil
Penne with Spicy Marinara
The Mezze Penne spice marinare sonds interesting.
Spicy marinara
Tomato and Basil
The Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara sauce
annabella @ centurytel dot net
I would love to try the Penne Spicy Marinara
It would be the Spicy Marinara!
penne with spicy marinara.
Mezze Penne Spicy Marinara
my husband would like the spicy marinara thanks
Spicy marinara
I’d love to try the whole grain tomato and basil
Spicy Marinara
id love to try the Mezze Penne Spicy Marinara
I would love to try the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil.
Whole grain pasta with veggie marinara
Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
Penne with tomato & basil sauce
Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara is my Barilla of choice!
I want to try the Tomato and Basil!
i would like to try the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil
Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara.
Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara
TOMATO BASIL WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE I TRY..
spicy marina
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Whole Grain Vegetable Marinara
I’m excited about trying Spicy Marinara.
I am most excited about the Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce.
lauraemerson17at yahoo dot com
I would like to try the Whole Grain Tomato & Basil.
Whole Grain Tomato & Basil. Thanks.