Slideshow: Protein pasta packs a punch

KANSAS CITY — High-protein pasta meals are taking up space in retailers.

Goodles is unveiling its latest functional innovation: Twirly Mac. The pasta format is a longer, twirlable noodle shape available in flavors such as cheddar, alfredo and hotshot jackpot (chili garlic). Each flavor contains 14 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber and 21 nutrients from plants per serving.

“Twirly Mac is the next frontier,” said Jen Zeszut, chief executive officer and co-founder at Goodles. “More than a line extension — it is a mac and cheese eating experience extension, and it is entirely new.”

The Campbell’s Co. is entering its Chunky line into the prepared meal category with a line of frozen bowls. Each meal features 20 grams to 28 grams of protein. The lineup features eight meal varieties.

• The beefy pasta with stroganoff sauce bowl features beef, pasta, mushrooms and a stroganoff sauce.
• The Buffalo-style chicken macaroni and cheese bowl is made with breaded chicken, elbow pasta and Buffalo-style cheese sauce.
• The bacon cheeseburger macaroni and cheese bowl contains beef, pork, jalapeños, bacon and pasta in a cheese sauce.
• The chili mac bowl is formulated with beef, pork, macaroni, beans and cheddar cheese in chili-tomato sauce.
• The meat lovers’ lasagna bowl is made with mafalda pasta, beef, pork, ricotta and marinara.
• The Philly cheesesteak macaroni and cheese bowl features beef, elbow macaroni, green peppers and cheese sauce.
• The cheesy loaded potato with steak and bacon bowl is made with potatoes, steak, bacon and a cheese sauce.
• The country fried chicken with mashed potatoes bowl features chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

Hometown Food Co. is formulating a line of Chef Boyardee-branded canned meals with protein. The protein canned pasta line features five meal varieties: chili mac with 25 grams of protein, beef ravioli with 26 grams of protein, beefaroni with 27 grams of protein, spaghetti and meatballs with 25 grams of protein, and chicken with rice and vegetables with 25 grams of protein.

“Chef Protein represents a meaningful leap forward for the canned pasta category,” said Dan Anglemyer, chief operating officer and chief marketing officer at Hometown Food Co. “As consumers continue seeking convenient, affordable ways to get more protein into their diets, we’re excited to bring an entirely new offering to shelf that delivers on taste, value and nutrition.”

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