Marie Callender's® Pasta Al Dente
Marie Callender's recently introduced a fresh face to its family of home-style meals. Pasta Al Dente meals are traditional Italian recipes that use fresh zucchini and tomatoes and real garlic and leverage tray-in-tray steaming technology to deliver pasta cooked to the perfect al dente texture every time. Ready in five minutes or less, Pasta Al Dente meals deliver the taste and quality of an authentic Italian meal, but with microwave convenience.
There are 10 varieties of Pasta Al Dente, available now at grocers nationwide:
- Fettuccini Chicken Balsamico with mushrooms and balsamic vinegar reduction
- Cavatappi Genovese with creamy basil pesto and fresh zucchini
- Tortellini Romano with fresh basil and real Parmesan
- Rigatoni Marinara Classico with meatballs and Italian sausage
- Rigatoni con Pesce with shrimp in lobster cream sauce
- Penne Chicken Modesto with roasted garlic, chunks of artichoke hearts and Roma tomatoes
- Cavatelli Chicken Carbonara with uncured bacon and smoky carbonara sauce
- Orrecchiette Chicken Pesto with broccoli, Roma tomatoes and Parmesan cheese
- Penne Chicken Piccata with capers, spinach and white wine lemon butter sauce
- Old World Rigatoni Bolognese with tender beef, vegetables and Parmesan cheese
Building Steam to Deliver Quality
"We saw a major opportunity to deliver a truly authentic Italian meal in the pasta category," said Shannon Wiig, manager, Consumer Insights. "Our research showed that consumers were seeking higher-quality, fresher-tasting foods. They were also disappointed in the quality of many frozen pasta meals, which were often characterized as soggy or mushy. Our consumers wanted something better."
Leveraging the same tray-in-tray technology used for Healthy Choice® Café Steamers, the brand knew it could fill the frozen pasta gap. "Because the pasta in Pasta Al Dente isn't exposed to excess moisture from sauce during the freezing and cooking processes, it steams to an ideal texture every time," said Scott Berg, brand manager. "Pasta Al Dente is filling a gap for consumers."
Taking Marie Out for Lunch
The Pasta Al Dente line — quality, single-serve pasta meals — is increasing Marie Callender's presence at the lunch table, with early estimates projecting that a majority of Pasta Al Dente will be consumed at lunch, opening up a new eating occasion for the brand.
"The lunch occasion is all about convenience," Berg said. "With large portions and a focus on hearty, home-cooked meals, Marie Callender's has traditionally been more of an evening meal. Pasta Al Dente brings Marie Callender's reputation for quality ingredients and authenticity to the lunch table."
