Buitoni Riserva Quattro Formaggi Agnolotti and Foodbuzz Rocks!

Pasta – One of my favorites. In addition to the varieties of pastas available on the market shelves, there are different ways it’s processed which may enhance or compromise the taste. Let’s compare.



No, this isn’t a long assed story about the history of pasta…I received something very cool in the mail from Foodbuzz and you have to have the comparison story to…uh…compare.
And appreciate the flavorful gift they sent me :-)



There is boxed pasta that is…well, it’s ordinary and it’s inexpensive but….in the words of Jamie Oliver, “It is what is it.” You must follow this statement with a dismissive shrug aimed at said dried pasta.

Do yourself a favor and NEVER eat a serving of fresh pasta, then immediately follow it up with cooked box pasta.


Buitoni makes a variety of fresh pastas such as tortellini, linguine (my favorite), angel hair and fettuccine. They are available in the refrigerated section at your local market.

One evening, between the three of us, we ate all of the freshly cooked Buitoni linguine so I cooked a small portion of the boxed variety. Stab me through the heart……back-to-back comparison convinced me right there. Always use fresh pasta or…just have something else.

Thanks to Foodbuzz I was able to experience Buitoni’s rich cousin, the Riserva Quattro Formaggi Agnolotti. Sexy name for a pasta that you may find at your local grocery store. It conjures images of an Italian holiday where the food is perfection and wine flows like water. I digress…….



What is an adjective to convey bliss-upon-the tongue or delectable or luscious? Words will fail you with the first bite……as you savor the pocket of rich cheeses bursting onto your tongue, sliding across the taste buds, and filling you with contentment. The soft fresh pasta has a filling of creamy ricotta, Fontina and Parmesan cheeses and garlic. I couldn’t bring myself to cover it with a sauce.

I took a bit of olive oil, ribbon cut many slices of prosciutto and minced 5 large garlic cloves. Sautee…..spoon gently over the Riserva Quattro Formaggi Agnolotti.



Since I’d unwittingly made a taste comparison between the boxed and fresh pasta awhile back, I did the same with Buitoni’s freshly packaged linguine with this Riserva. Obviously the Agnollti pasta won that taste test but the linguine was still top notch in my book.


If you want to treat yourself to a creamy flavorful pasta dish that can be on the table in under 6 minutes…..indulge yourself with a package or two of Buitoni Riserva. Thank you Foodbuzz and Buitoni – I’ll be your taste-testing guinea hen anytime. Call me…