In huge news on the pasta scene, Barilla has launched its new gluten-free pasta range in Australia. I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on some samples of the pasta and pasta sauces and I have to say, woo hoo!
I’ve road-tested it on the whole family and there’s been no complaints. Happy little pasta-mites all round.
Have you ever experienced gluten-free pasta that collapses when cooked? And it always tastes a little odd? Well, Barilla’s pasta has a “normal” pasta taste, but even better, it’s strong enough to retain its shape when cooked. So at least you’re not having your Bolognese sauce with a side of pasta mush.
Barilla uses corn and rice flours rather than refined starches, and the pasta is made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. It’s a great way to ensure that there’s no cross-contamination with gluten, but I’d really love to see Barilla go the extra mile and put the pasta into sealed plastic bags in addition to the cardboard packaging that is currently used.
Gluten-free spaghetti, elbows and penne are currently available and Barilla’s entire range of pasta sauces are also gluten-free. We loved the basil pesto.
The pasta is available at Woolworths stores all over Australia and also at selected independent supermarkets. But hold onto your hats, folks, because perhaps the best news is that its recommended retail price is $3.69. Crikey, that’s low!
Representatives of Barilla provided me with products to sample. All opinions are my own.
We have it here in Pennsylvania, USA too. I totally agree on it being great and lower in price than most GF pasta. I am waiting for them to bring out linguine as well as some more shaped pastas. I see your point on the packaging issue; good idea. It is my go to pasta because of all the things you mention.
Thanks Angela. Linguine, yes! Wouldn’t that be great?!
It is also in France and they are great !
Unfortunately it hasn’t made its way yet to tropical north Queensland but I will keep my eye out. When it was first promoted a couple of months ago I sent an email to Barilla to ask about its distribution outlets. I am still waiting for a reply.
I haven’t seen it in WA yet either and I also emailed Barilla to ask when it will be available and am likewise still waiting for a reply. I have been fortunate enought to try it as I had some travellers bring some back from Melbourne. It is superior to any other GF I’ve tried including the San Remo. I find San Remo heavier to digest.
Thanks. I look forward to tasting it. And like you it just takes a little while for products to reach us in places other than south east australia. Pasta is a good stand by for my gf teenager so it is a pantry staple.
Funnily enough – within a couple of days of that comment I found it both on Woolworths online and in my local Woolworths so yes it’s finaly here. Yay.
Hi Always Mum,
It should be in Woolworths and good independent grocers nationally. Not sure what part of North Queensland you’re specifying, but to it should be available in most Woolworths, including Rural View Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Feel free to email us at marketing@barilla.net.au or DM us on Facebook for a longer list of distributors.
Thanks.
My local Woolworths had the Elbows and Spaghetti on their shelves last week: for the first time.
The Elbows were used to make a Pasta Bake last night. Perfect for any macaroni cheese type recipe and when cooked, they didn’t have an outer layer that goes furry like some of the other gf pasta products. I will definitely be buying the Elbows again.
Thank you Barilla!
Is it better than San Remo GF do you think? That’s my current go-to, though Orgran buckwheat pasta has a nice wholemeal taste to it.
Hmmm – I think it’s a similar quality to San Remo. It’s a bit thicker and whiter, so I guess it depends on what’s important to you!
We have Barilla in the US on the east coast in both NYC area and PA (where I now live) and we LOVE it because it tastes very “normal” and it’s by far the best priced GF pasta around!
-Dana