An Overview of Blue Apron and Their Pasta Recipes
Meal kit delivery services like Blue Apron have become increasingly popular over the last several years. With convenient pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered right to your door, it's no surprise busy families have flocked to this trend.
One of the staples of the Blue Apron menu is pasta. These crowd-pleasing, family-friendly meals satisfy even picky eaters. Keep reading for more on Blue Apron's pasta recipes and what makes their meal kits stand out.
The Cost of Blue Apron Meals
Blue Apron offers flexibility and affordability with their subscription plans. Options include 2, 3, or 4 recipes per week that feed 2, 3, or 4 people. Price per serving ranges from $7.49-$9.99 depending on your plan.
While slightly more expensive than home cooking from scratch, Blue Apron simplifies meal planning and cuts back on food waste. For time-strapped families, the convenience is well worth the cost.
An Overview of Blue Apron Pasta Dishes
From classic spaghetti and meatballs to unique flavor fusions, Blue Apron offers an exciting variety of pasta dishes. Recipes draw inspiration from Italian, Asian, Latin, and American cuisine resulting in options diverse enough to please every palate.
While recipes rotate frequently, popular pasta dishes often reappear due to customer demand. These reliable family favorites include tried-and-true picky eater pleasers like mac and cheese or pesto cavatappi.
Types of Pasta Offered
The variety of pasta shapes and sizes from Blue Apron is truly impressive. From small pastas like orzo and orecchiette to long noodles including spaghetti and linguine, recipes incorporate an array of options.
Some family-friendly pasta shapes appear frequently in Blue Apron recipes like:
- Penne
- Rigatoni
- Rotini
- Fusilli
- Farfalle (bowties)
- Cavatappi (spirals)
- Macaroni
Beyond classic wheat pastas, Blue Apron also offers gluten-free or vegetable-based pasta alternatives on occasion to accommodate various dietary needs and preferences.
Pasta Sauces Offered
From rich bolognese to a simple garlic breadcrumb topping, Blue Apron recipes feature a multitude of sauce options to complement different pasta shapes and seasonal ingredients.
Expect to find pasta paired with red sauce, pesto, alfredo, spicy tomato cream sauce, vodka sauce, cheesy mornay, and more. Blending classic techniques with innovative flavors keeps meals exciting week after week.
Example Blue Apron Pasta Recipes
To give home chefs a better idea of Blue Apron's pasta offerings, here is an overview of a few recent customer favorites:
Penne Bolognese
A classic Italian meat sauce tossed with penne makes for the ultimate comfort food. To lighten things up, this recipe opts for ground turkey instead of beef.
Gemelli Pesto Pasta
Nutty pesto and diced sundried tomatoes coat twirling gemelli pasta spirals. Fresh mozzarella adds a creamy finishing touch.
Fusilli Al Limone
This lemony linguine is a study in simplicity. Garlic, olive oil, zest, juice, parsley, and parmesan let the spiraling noodles shine.
Rotini Fritatta
In this family-style meal, protein-packed rotini gets stirred up with eggs, melty fontina, and a punch of hot sauce before getting baked frittata-style.
Orecchiette Arugula Lemon
Fresh and light, this salad-inspired recipe features sweet shrimp over "little ears" pasta with bright lemon and peppery arugula.
How Blue Apron Compares to Other Meal Kits
Blue Apron stands apart from competitors thanks to their diverse menus, high-quality ingredients, and commitment to sustainability. While their pricing sits on the higher end, most customers feel it's worth it for gourmet recipes without the hassle.
HelloFresh
The other major player in the meal kit industry, HelloFresh appeals to customers thanks to affordable pricing and constantly rotating menus similar to Blue Apron. Families looking to trim their grocery budget might opt for HelloFresh.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate keeps costs extremely low but doesn't compromise on meal quality. Easy recipes with short prep times cater to busy families' needs. Their slimmed down packaging increases affordability.
Green Chef
For households seeking diet-specific or restrictions-friendly meal plans, Green Chef hits the mark. Gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegan options set them apart, but specialty recipes mean pricier plans.
Home Chef
Home Chef allows customers to fully customize meal choices each week. Swap proteins or sides, double up on servings, or skip weeks effortlessly. The flexibility makes it a winner for pickier households.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Blue Apron
Here are a few pointers to take your Blue Apron experience from good to great:
Take Advantage of Promos
Blue Apron frequently offers discounted or free weeks for new customers. Existing customers can earn free boxes by referring friends or voting on upcoming menus.
Set Aside Prep Time
While simpler than cooking totally from scratch, Blue Apron meals still require chopping, stirring, assemble, etc. Set enough time aside so weeknight dinners don't feel rushed.
Learn Portioning Tips
Accompanying recipe cards offer visual guidelines on prep and plating to feed the meal plan you selected. Using provided helper photos leads to perfect portion sizes.
Read Reviews
Can't decide between two tempting recipes for the week? Scroll through customer reviews and feedback to guide your choices toward family favorites.
Maximize Included Ingredients
Get creative using up specialty sauces, seasonings or produce extras post-meal. Repurpose them into lunches, sides dishes or snacks to cut down additional grocery trips.
Satisfying and Simple Pasta Night Solutions
From classic comfort foods to globally inspired flavor journeys, a Blue Apron pasta night delivers on convenience, creativity and value. Reduce weeknight dinner headaches without forgoing homemade quality and care. With delightful recipes and stress-free planning, now anyone can feel like an accomplished home chef.
FAQs
What types of pasta does Blue Apron offer?
Blue Apron offers a wide variety of pasta shapes and types in their recipes including penne, rigatoni, rotini, fusilli, farfalle, cavatappi, macaroni, spaghetti, linguine, orzo, orecchiette, and more. Both classic wheat pastas and specialty gluten-free options are available.
Does Blue Apron accommodate special diets?
While Blue Apron may not be able to cater fully to specific diets like keto, paleo, or vegan, they offer a diverse range of recipes featuring veggie, meat, fish, and dairy options. Many dishes are naturally gluten-free friendly or can be modified to suit dietary needs.
How long will Blue Apron pasta recipes take to prepare?
Most Blue Apron pasta recipes take 30-40 minutes from start to finish. However, quick 15-minute meals are also offered, while more complex or bake pasta dishes can take up to an hour. Recipe cards indicate expected prep and cook times.
Can I choose my exact Blue Apron pasta recipes each week?
Unfortunately customers cannot hand pick Blue Apron recipes for their weekly deliveries. However, subscribers can set preferences for meal styles, exclude certain ingredients, and provide feedback on recipes to influence future offerings.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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