Who says that you have to go to a fancy restaurant on Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re celebrating with your romantic partner, friends or family, cooking a homemade meal is one of the best ways to show your love and appreciation for someone. After all, the way to anyone’s heart is through food, right?
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Barilla’s Heart-Shaped Pasta is back in retailers and online at Amazon for its fourth year in a row. If you’re looking for the perfect at-home dinner for two, for yourself or for Galentine’s Day with friends, keep reading to see why you need this pasta.
The limited-edition pasta is similar to the brand’s rigatoni pasta, but the opening is shaped like a heart. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding an army, you can choose between the 12-ounce box for $2 or the 80-ounce bag for $12. Crafted with semolina, durum wheat flour and vitamins B3 and B1, this pasta is 200 calories per serving, with 42 grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of protein. Since it’s so versatile, it’s great for making different types of dishes, from vodka pasta to alfredo.
Because of its popularity, especially on TikTok, people are already flooding to Amazon and the stores to make their heart-shaped dishes. This pasta is a number-one bestseller right now, and it’s seen over 30,000 recent purchases as people are already prepping their Valentine’s Day meals. Customers loved it so much they gave it a solid 4.6-star rating.
One review titled “a feast for the eyes and palate,” says, “I grabbed a box of this pasta on a whim, thinking it would be a cute gimmick for a family dinner. I was wrong; it’s a genuine kitchen winner. The hearts are sturdy! I was worried they would dissolve into sad, mushy blobs in the water, but they held their shape perfectly when cooked al dente. The tubular heart shape is great at catching and holding onto sauce, ensuring every forkful is coated in deliciousness, whether you use a creamy vodka sauce or a simple pesto.”
Other reviewers love using it for family dinners. “This is the cutest pasta for Valentine’s Day,” says one reviewer. “Grab it to make a special Valentine’s Day pasta dinner for your kids or loved one. My kids loved shaped pasta, so I know they’re going to love this! Similar price to the boxes of non-special shaped pasta.”
So, if you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day meal, grab this pasta before it’s out of stock, and while it’s only $2! And keep reading for some recipe ideas below.
Valentine’s Day Pasta Recipes:
Vodka Pasta
- What you’ll need: tomato paste, garlic, onion, seasonings, heavy cream, olive oil, chili flakes and an ounce or two of vodka
- How to make it: In a pan, sauté your onions in olive oil until translucent. Add your garlic and chill flakes and stir for a minute or two. Add your tomato paste and mix it around before you add the vodka in. Cook the alcohol down for two minutes, then add your heavy cream and stir. Let it simmer for a bit and continue stirring, then add your favorite seasonings. (I use salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and Italian seasoning.) Add a few tablespoons of your pasta water and some cold butter to thicken the sauce. Then add your pasta, stir and enjoy!
Tomato Rigatoni Pasta
- What you’ll need: Butter, one onion, garlic cloves, crushed tomatoes, seasonings, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, parsley
- How to make it: This one is similar to the vodka pasta, but with crushed tomatoes instead of the paste and no vodka. Start by cooking down your garlic and onions in olive oil in a medium heat Dutch oven. Add your crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer for about 20 minutes or so. Return your sauce to medium heat, add your heavy cream, a few tablespoons of pasta water. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and parsley flakes. Enjoy!
Alfredo Pasta
- What you’ll need: Heavy cream (you can also substitute for half and half or buy store-bought sauce), seasonings, parmesan cheese and garlic
- How to make it: Heat heavy cream on the stove, then add garlic, seasonings and a little bit of pasta water. Once the sauce starts to thicken a bit, add your cheese and continue stirring until it’s your desired consistency. Add your pasta and enjoy!
Pesto Pasta
- What you’ll need: Pesto sauce (either store-bought or homemade), heavy cream, seasonings, parmesan cheese and garlic
- How to make it: Prepare the alfredo using the instructions above, and just add pesto! It’s that simple!
Baked Ziti
- What you’ll need: Marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, olive oil, seasonings, onion and garlic cloves, ground beef or plant-based meat
- How to make it: While your pasta is boiling, finely chop your yellow onion and garlic cloves. Heat a pan with olive oil and add your onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and seasonings. Then, add the ground beef, stir for a bit and add the marinara sauce. In a separate bowl, make your cheese mixture and add salt and pepper. Add your pasta to the sauce with a little bit of the ricotta mixture, stir and start layering everything in a pan. Top with parmesan and mozzarella and bake for about 30 minutes.
