The Only Barilla Pasta Products That Are Actually Made In Italy

Barilla pasta is one of the most recognizable brands at the grocery store. It sells everything pasta-related, from gluten-free penne to jarred pesto sauce, but does popularity necessarily translate into quality? It certainly means controversy. In 2022, Barilla was hit with a puzzling lawsuit regarding its claim as "Italy's number-one brand of pasta."

The lawsuit alleged that the claim on the box was misleading, as many customers might come to the conclusion, as the plaintiffs did, that the products are made in Italy. In reality, most Barilla pasta is made in factories in Ames, Illinois, and Avon, New York. While the lawsuit was settled in April 2026, Barilla products no longer bear the aforementioned slogan and the little Italian flag. Since the scandal broke, though, Barilla has released a line of Italian-made pastas, Al Bronzo Organic Pasta, as well as Italian-made imported pesto.

Al Bronzo products are made using the bronze-cut die process, wherein pasta dough is extruded through a bronze mold (the "die"), resulting in a rough-textured, almost dusty-looking pasta that maintains its shape well and holds onto sauce. All of Barilla's other pasta products are made with Teflon dies, which are smooth and glossy, creating pastas that are likewise pretty featureless. This distinction in manufacturing has held Barilla back for years, consistently ranking it behind De Cecco pasta. Most importantly, though, Barilla's Al Bronzo line is made entirely in Italy and imported to the U.S. The only potential drawback is the limited availability of pasta varieties; as of 2026, there are only seven options, and popular pastas like macaroni and fettuccine are disappointingly absent. What's more, the higher-quality manufacturing process comes with a significantly increased price, and you probably won't be able to find it at Safeway. 

Alongside the Al Bronzo brand, Barilla's only other officially Italian-made product is its jarred pesto. If it isn't feasible for you to make your own pesto, both the rustic basil and genovese varieties are imported from Italy and receive positive reviews. Of course, you could always make your own pasta and pesto using quality ingredients, but if you're looking for a quick meal, Barilla's Al Bronzo and jarred pesto come close to the real thing.