Is Barilla Pasta Vegan Friendly? (Find Out Now!) - Choosing Nutrition

Barilla is an Italian, family-owned food company that was established in 1877 and is now an international group present in over 100 countries. The company offers both pasta products and ready-to-use sauces that are a household staple for many of us. Is Barilla able to be a staple for the vegan community, as well? After all, as of this year there are approximately 80 million people in the world who follow a vegan diet. Let’s find out.

Barilla pasta is mostly vegan. The majority of their boxed pasta don’t contain eggs, milk, or any other animal product. However, there are certain Barilla pasta products that do contain eggs and/or milk so it’s important to read the label. The best healthier vegan alternatives are Solely Spaghetti Squash Pasta, Banza Rotini Chickpea Pasta, and Explore Cuisine Black Bean Spaghetti.

In this article, we will discuss several different Barilla pasta shapes, take a look at their ingredients and nutritional values, and determine whether or not they are vegan-friendly. We will also discuss other healthy and vegan-friendly pasta alternatives. Let’s dig in!

Is Barilla Pasta Healthy?

While eating pasta is often viewed as a good way to pack on the pounds, Barilla pasta is actually quite good for you.

Unlike many other pasta brands, which are made using refined ingredients, Barilla pasta is made from durum and semolina flour, a product that comes from durum wheat. Durum wheat also provides the most protein of various wheat species used as a food ingredient. Protein can be hard to get on a vegan diet, so that is a nice bonus.

However, what you choose to add to your noodles will make a difference regarding the health content of your pasta dinner. If you are drenching your noodles with butter and sodium-filled pasta sauce, that negates any health benefits of the pasta. Instead, you can make a pasta primavera dish that is loaded with veggies and packed with various health benefits.

Popular Barilla Pasta Shapes

Barilla pasta, like many other pastas, come in a variety of shapes. Let’s take a look at a few along with their ingredients and nutritional values.

Spaghetti

This classic pasta shape is the most popular shape in Italy. It goes well with any kind of sauce and can be enjoyed with or without meat.

It is a great source of energy, has a low glycemic index (keeps you fuller for longer), enriched with iron and B vitamins, and made with non-GMO ingredients. However, the box states that it may contain eggs, which could be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla spaghetti:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla spaghetti (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Angel Hair

Lovers of thin spaghetti rejoice! Angel hair pasta, also known as “capellini,” is the perfect choice to pair with a light, refined sauce.

It cooks in just 4-5 minutes, which is perfect when you are looking for a quick and easy dinner.

This product, however, is manufactured on equipment that processes products containing eggs, which could be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla angel hair pasta:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla angel hair pasta (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Fettuccine

Fettuccine is made from flat sheets of pasta cut into ribbon-shaped strands. The thickness of fettuccine means it can withstand robust sauces. Try it with dairy-based (or non-dairy for those who follow a vegan diet), oil-based, or tomato-based sauces and add in some real or vegan meat, vegetables, or real or vegan cheese.

Like the other pasta shapes, the box states that it may contain eggs, which could be a problem for those who follow a vegan-diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla fettuccine:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla fettuccine (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Linguine

Linguine is a close relative of fettuccine, only thinner and narrower. Linguine, which means “little tongues” in Italian, originated in the Liguria region of Italy, where the air is fragrant with salty ocean breezes and delicious food.

Linguine is best paired with traditional pesto. However, other great matches include tomato, oil-based, or fish-based sauces.

The box states that this product may contain eggs, which could be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla linguine:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla linguine (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Farfalle

Farfalle, which means “butterfly” in Italian, are rectangular or oval pieces of pasta that are pinched in the middle.

Farfalle is best served with light sauces with vegetables or fish, simple oil-based sauces, or in pasta salads.

The box states that this product may contain eggs, which can be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla farfalle:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla farfalle (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Penne

The large diameter and ridges of penne pasta make it ideal for retaining sauces on the entire surface, inside and out. Try it with meat or vegetable-based sauces, tomato sauces, or spicy sauces.

The box states that this product may contain eggs, which can be a problem for those who follow a vegan diet.

These are the ingredients found in Barilla penne:

• Semolina (wheat)
• Durum wheat flour
• Vitamins/minerals: vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid

Here is some important nutritional information to note for Barilla penne (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total sugar: 1g
• Total carbs: 42g
• Protein: 7g

Healthy Alternatives To Barilla Pasta

Solely Spaghetti Squash Pasta

Solely veggie pasta combines the convenience of traditional pasta with the true taste of fresh spaghetti squash. It has only one ingredient, which is organic spaghetti squash, that is gently dried into a vegan-based pasta without all the carbs of traditional pasta. It is not only vegan, but also non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher.

These are the ingredients found in Solely Spaghetti Squash Pasta:

• Organic spaghetti squash

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1/2 cup serving):

• Calories: 30
• Total fat: 0g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total carbs: 6g
• Total sugar: 4g
• Protein: 2g

Banza Rotini Chickpea Pasta

This protein-packed, vegan-friendly pasta is the perfect choice for your next pasta dinner. It has a whopping 20g of protein in each box, 25% fewer carbs than traditional pasta, and is made from chickpeas.

This brand is not only vegan, but also gluten-free, non-GMO and has a low glycemic index (keeps you fuller for longer).

These are the ingredients found in Banza Rotini Chickpea Pasta:

• Chickpeas
• Pea starch
• Tapioca
• Xanthan gum

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 190
• Total fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 20mg
• Total carbs: 35g
• Total sugar: 1g
• Protein: 11g

Veggiecraft Farms Elbow Pasta

Take your favorite pasta dish and make it better for you with Veggiecraft Farms cauliflower pasta. Made in Italy, this 3-ingredient pasta is a delicious gluten-free and vegan twist on traditional pasta. Buon Appetito!

These are the ingredients found in Veggiecraft Farms Elbow Pasta:

• Lentil flour
• Pea flour
• Cauliflower flour

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 190
• Total fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 15mg
• Total carbs: 35g
• Total sugar: 2g
• Protein: 13g

Explore Cuisine Organic Black Bean Spaghetti

This brand features a unique dark hue that look gorgeous on a dinner plate. It is the perfect pasta option for vegans and vegetarians, as it is packed with dietary fiber and protein.

These are the ingredients found in Explore Cuisine Organic Black Bean Spaghetti:

• Organic black bean flour (black soybeans)

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 180
• Total fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 7mg
• Total carbs: 19g
• Total sugar: 3g
• Protein: 25mg

Cybele’s Free To Eat Superfood White Shell Pasta

You’ll be stoked to know that this brand packs lots of cauli-POWER into their superfood white shells. It is an easy, plant-based protein option to give you the energy you need to get through a tough workout.

These are the ingredients found in Cybele’s Free To Eat Superfood White Shell Pasta:

• Green lentil
• Cauliflower
• Parsnip

Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 2oz serving):

• Calories: 200
• Total fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 10mg
• Total carbs: 34g
• Total sugar: 2g
• Protein: 15g

Final Thoughts

Barilla pasta is considered vegan because their products do not directly contain any animal ingredients. However, a lot of their products are processed in the same facilities and on the same equipment as products that contain eggs. So, depending on how strict you are with your vegan diet, Barilla pasta may or may not work for you.

If you follow a strict vegan diet and are not ok with eating something that is processed in the same facility and on the same equipment as products that contain eggs and/or other animal products, feel free to try any of the healthy and 100% vegan pasta alternatives mentioned in this article.

Related Questions

Is Barilla Pasta Gluten-Free?

Most Barilla pastas contain gluten. However, the brand does make a few gluten-free pasta options that are safe for those with celiac disease or other gluten intolerances.

Is Barilla Pasta Keto?

Barilla pasta should be avoided on the keto diet because it is very high in carbs.

Is Barilla Pasta Kosher?

Yes, all Barilla pasta is prepared according to the requirements of Jewish law.

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