Barilla Debuts Protein+ Stars Pasta: 17g Protein, 10g Fiber

Barilla has expanded its Protein+ roster with a playful, permanent star-shaped cut called Protein+ Stars that packs 17 g of protein and 10 g of fiber per 3.5-ounce serving. The new shape joins Barilla’s Protein+ family as the tenth variety and aims to give home cooks an easy swap for more protein and fiber without sacrificing classic pasta taste or al dente texture.

Protein+ Stars is made from a blend of wheat and legume proteins, combining wheat flours with lentil, chickpea and pea-derived ingredients. Barilla lists the formulation as semolina wheat, durum wheat flour, lentil flour, pea protein and chickpea flour, and notes the pasta contains Vitamins B3, B1 and B2, iron and folic acid. The company positions the product as "a fun, star-shaped cut with 17g of protein and 10g of fiber per 3.5 ounce serving, crafted for the delicious taste consumers expect from Barilla. It's a fun shape that delivers all-star energy and great taste, for the everyday athlete in all of us."

Protein+ Stars expands a line that already includes Angel Hair, Cellentani, Elbows, Farfalle, Penne, Rigatoni, Rotini, Spaghetti and Thin Spaghetti. Barilla launched the star shape nationally in January 2026 and reported immediate e-commerce availability at mainstream retailers, including Amazon and Kroger’s website, making it simple for shoppers to add the new shape to weeknight rotations.

The product ties into a broader lifestyle push led by Emmy Award–winning choreographer and six-time Dancing with the Stars champion Derek Hough. Barilla rolled out Protein+ Training Timers, a set of micro-workouts created and led by Derek Hough that are timed to match typical pasta-cooking intervals. Barilla says, "Barilla Protein+ Training Timers are micro workouts that you can complete in the time that it takes to cook Protein+ pasta. Just as Protein+ delivers great taste and protein in one, Training Timers turn everyday cooking time into a simple moment of movement." Examples of routines named by the company include Star Jacks, Penne Plié Squats, Rotini Spiral Planks and Spaghetti Arm Waves.

Angie Cotter, US Pasta Category Marketing Director at Barilla, framed the launch around convenience for busy households: "Barilla Protein+ pasta is often a go-to solution for the busiest people craving energy and amazing taste from their meals. It’s an easy, real–life win that fits right into your routine, and we wanted to help make it even easier to enjoy both delicious pasta and a few minutes of movement with Protein+ Stars and Training Timers."

For pasta fans balancing taste, texture and nutrition, Protein+ Stars offers a straightforward option: keep familiar recipes while boosting protein and fiber per serving. Expect to find the new shape at major online retailers and to see Barilla highlight the Training Timers in promotional material. Check package labels or retailer product pages for the full nutrition panel, ingredient order and allergen information before buying.