Consumers are passionate about pasta! And why wouldn’t they be? There are few foods as versatile as pasta. It can be served hot or cold, it can be hearty or healthy, and it can serve as a side dish or a main course. Better yet, it pairs perfectly with just about any protein, and pasta dishes can take on spicy, savory, sour, smoky, and creamy flavor profiles. With so many varieties and so many possibilities, pasta and noodles have found a permanent place in consumers’ hearts – and in their diets.
Although pasta in its many forms is perpetually popular, the ingredients and sauces it’s paired with and the ways it’s prepared have continued to evolve with consumers’ preferences. Keep reading for our experts’ insights into the latest pasta and noodle trends, plus how brands can capitalize on up-and-coming trends in this category.
Going All in on Asian Noodles
In the not-so-distant past, when consumers thought about noodles, classic Italian dishes, like lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and spaghetti most likely came to mind. Times have changed, however, and so have consumers’ preferences. Right now, consumers are obsessed with all things Asian cuisine – and that includes noodles. Indeed, Asian noodle dishes – and especially those that are spicy – have managed to captivate consumers’ cravings, generating buzz on social media and making waves on foodservice menus.
It started with noodle soups. Vietnamese pho and Japanese ramen saw a dramatic surge in popularity within the past five or so years, as consumers flocked to these dishes for comfort and complex flavor. Since then, consumers have been seeking out other Asian noodle dishes, such as Thai pad woon sen and Indonesian mie goreng.
Given the popularity of Korean cuisine, it comes as no surprise that consumers have become obsessed with a number of Korean noodle dishes, including japchae, a thin sweet potato-based noodle dish typically served with vegetables and beef in a savory sauce. Bibim guksu, a spicy and tangy Korean noodle dish that is served cold, has also been picking up steam, as consumers have been frequenting Korean restaurants and familiarizing themselves with traditional Korean dishes.
Although much of their exposure to more exotic Asian dishes has been through foodservice establishments, consumers have been experimenting with cooking Asian cuisine at home. For example, prepared meal kits that include noodles and sauce packets allow consumers to customize their at-home noodle creations with the vegetables and proteins of their choice, making them increasingly popular and convenient options.
Brands in the shelf-stable and frozen meal categories can get in on this trend by innovating to bring up-and-coming Asian noodle dishes to consumers’ kitchens. Brands outside of these categories can also capitalize on this trend by bringing the flavors of popular Asian noodle dishes to a variety of products, including sauces, snacks, and more.
Protein Packed and Plant-Forward Pasta Options
Pasta has gotten a bad rap in the past for being relatively unhealthy. Now, however, consumers are turning to plant-based pastas to help support their health and wellness goals. Indeed, plant-
based pasta options have experienced a resurgence, as one of consumers’ top health and wellness goals includes upping their protein intakes. Chickpea and lentil pastas, in particular, have been benefitting from this buzz, with recipes for these legume-based options trending on social media in recent months.
Beyond plant-based pasta noodles, pasta dishes that are veggie-forward are particularly popular right now. Thanks, perhaps in part, to the craze surrounding cucumbers this summer, Mediterranean-inspired pasta salads featuring cucumbers alongside other colorful veggies and flavorful feta were also trending.
Pasta sauce brands should consider innovating to incorporate more protein and more plants into their products to appeal to consumers who are looking for ways to make their at-home pasta creations better for them.
Craving Comfort
It probably goes without saying, but consumers are stressed right now. Economic and political uncertainty persist, and consumers are turning to comfort food to cope. Many pasta dishes, including mac and cheese and lasagna, are go-to comfort foods for consumers. As such, there has been an increase in demand for these dishes, in both foodservice and retail.
Given that consumers are growing increasingly restless, an extremely promising avenue for innovation rests with giving classic, comforting pasta dishes a modern twist. Brands should look to trending ingredients and flavor profiles for inspiration. Think a smoky poblano mac & cheese, creamy roasted red pepper and bacon fettucine, or Asian short rib lasagna.
Inspired by all of the pasta possibilities? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.