Chef Boyardee is far from what comes to mind when you think of fine Italian cuisine, and the once-prominent brand of canned pasta is staying true to its Italian-ish perception with its latest product release. In an attempt to regain relevance in American kitchens across the country, the brand is pivoting to the freezer aisle with its new trio of skillet meals. Featuring some of the pasta products that originally made Chef Boyardee popular like Cheese Ravioli and Spaghetti & Meatballs, the new line of meals also includes a Chicken Alfredo entree in this major shakeup to the frozen food category.
Originally rolled out at Walmart in late May, these meals will soon be available at a grocery store near you. These pastas offer a quick and easy solution to family dinners, serving about 4.5 people in 15 minutes or less. While Italian mothers would likely cringe at the very thought of serving a frozen meal for supper, it is worth keeping in mind that this brand was founded by an Italian immigrant and chef, Ettore Boiardi, who experienced intense demand for a quick and easy-to-make version of his Italian meals that families could make at home. His products have helped to popularize Italian food in the United States, so it will be interesting to see if this unique move by Chef Boyardee can give the brand the jumpstart it has so desperately needed.
These skillet meals are just a few of 50 new items being added to grocery shelves by Conagra Brands this summer, a consumer packaging goods company that owns Chef Boyardee. Another brand of Italian food products contributing to the new line is Bertolli with its oven bakes, including chicken parmigiana & penne, chicken alfredo, and meatball rigatoni meals, as well as appetizers like three cheese toasted ravioli and parmesan arancini.
While homemade Italian food is always your best, it never hurts to know that these fast, convenient dinner options are also available when absolutely necessary.
REAL ITALIANS DON’T EAT CHEF BOYARDEE.