Pasta enjoys a unique position in the culinary world, offering diners a sense of comfort, familiarity, and satisfaction. The enduring popularity of classic pasta dishes speaks to their crave factor and approachability. This year, we’re calling out the era of the casualization of pasta, reflecting a change in consumer preferences toward more relaxed dining experiences. The ease with which pasta accommodates new flavors is central to its casualization. It anchors adventurous flavor exploration with its beloved and familiar foundation.

The chefs highlighted below understand the magic behind menuing pasta dishes. They leverage its accessible nature, using it to showcase signature flavor combinations and draw attention to seasonal specials. Each chef recently featured Barilla Love Pasta in a limited-time promotion, counting on Barilla’s promise of consistency and quality while giving their guests a fun twist on classic pasta cuts.

Barilla Love Arrabiatta Sauce With Salmon Piccata

The culinary team at LifeWorks Restaurant Group, Aramark’s premiere division, strives to surprise and delight daily guests with a balanced menu of classic favorites and innovative creations, fostering daily visits. Barilla Love offers a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Margaret Occhipinti, Senior Culinary Director, featured the limited-run heart-shaped pasta in a few promotional items, including the Barilla Love Arrabiatta Sauce With Salmon Piccata. “Our guests love classic pasta dishes, but we want to introduce new flavor experiences to make things enticing and varied.” Developing a recipe with a novel pasta shape offered an easy lay-up here. The arrabiatta sauce brings bright, vinegary heat with a combination of pepperoncino, red chile flakes and Calabrian chile pepper. The pasta buddies up to a rich and flavorful salmon scallopini piccata.

Citrus Garlic Shrimp Barilla Love Pasta

Jillian Marino is the Corporate Culinary Dietitian for Morrison Healthcare, serving meals in hospitals across the country. She describes the culinary team’s menu development work as “mission to transform the perception of hospital food.” “We’re determined to bring a little joy to the table, no matter the circumstances.” Pasta promotions are key to that success. Morrison chose Barilla Love for its pasta rotation in February, tying into both Heart Health Month and Valentine’s Day. “This February, in partnership with Barilla, we’re excited to unveil our latest patient promotion: Garlic Citrus Shrimp Pasta, crafted by R&D Chef Carlene Walker,” says Marino. “The star of this dish is Barilla’s heart-shaped pasta—a brilliant way to surprise and delight our guests. The dish is tossed in a delicate lemon butter sauce and paired with shrimp, bell peppers and a citrus herb crunch. It exemplifies our commitment to blending flavor, nutrition and innovation, proving that hospital food can be as comforting and memorable as a home-cooked meal.”

Barilla Love Pasta Romesco With Herb Roasted Chicken

Nordstrom Restaurant Group finds great success in its pasta promotions. Its month-long Valentine’s Day promotion stars Barilla Love Pasta, celebrating the spirit of the season. “Any opportunity we have where we can feature a pasta dish as an LTO—we’ll take it,” says Michael Boyer, F&B Product Development Chef. “With the built-in popularity of pasta, developing menu promotions that revolve around pasta gives us an almost-guaranteed win.” Nordstrom’s Barilla Love Pasta Romesco with Herb Roasted Chicken features the heart-shaped pasta coated in a flavorful red pepper romesco sauce.

For consistent and quality pasta every time, and over 40 versatile shapes/varieties, visit www.barillaforprofessionals.com to learn more.