1 in 3 Americans Have Passed Off Store Bought Frozen Pasta as Homemade, National Survey Finds

Rosina's 2026 Pasta Night Report reveals Americans' pasta-night habits ahead of National Pasta Day; Buffalo pasta maker donates 112,000 servings to hometown food bank

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- That pasta dinner getting rave reviews around the table? There's a one-in-three chance it came from the freezer. According to Rosina Food Products' 2026 Pasta Night Report, 34% of Americans have served store-bought frozen filled pasta and let others believe it was homemade.

"For generations in our Italian family, homemade pasta meant flour on the counter, a long afternoon and our Nonna Rose overseeing every step," said Andrea Corigliano Augustyn, a third-generation member of the family behind Rosina Food Products and the company's corporate brands manager. "We love that tradition, but it isn't realistic on a busy weeknight. Sometimes, dinner starts with tortellini from the freezer and a jar of sauce. What matters is making time to sit down and share a meal with loved ones."

Ahead of National Pasta Day on October 17, Rosina, maker of Celentano and Italian Village frozen filled pasta, surveyed 1,009 U.S. adults about their pasta night habits. Among the findings:

• Freezer to the rescue: 62% say frozen pasta helps manage busy weeknights, 47% always keep it stocked and 32% call frozen filled pasta a regular staple.
• Spaghetti and meatballs still rule: Spaghetti tops the list (40%), followed by stuffed shells (15%) and ravioli (14%). Meatballs come to mind for 68% on pasta night.
• Stuffed vs. classic: 49% prefer cheese-stuffed pasta; 51% prefer classic.
• Marinara wins: 44% choose marinara, followed by Alfredo (31%) and vodka sauce (8%).
• Ketchup gets rejected: 86% say ketchup has no place on pasta.

"Stuffed pasta does a lot of the work for you," said Brian Muscarella, corporate chef at Rosina. "A little browned butter, some fresh herbs or a spoonful of pesto can turn a bag of ravioli into something that feels like a restaurant dish on a Tuesday night."

Sharing the Table in Western New York

In celebration of National Pasta Day and Italian American Heritage Month, Rosina is donating 40,536 pounds of Celentano tortellini and ravioli — about 112,000 servings — to FeedMore WNY, the regional food bank serving Buffalo. The products are sold in grocery stores nationwide.

"As the holiday season approaches, having enough food on the table can be an added challenge for families," Corigliano said. "Supporting our neighbors has always been an important part of who we are for 63 years. We're proud to help provide meals to families in our community and share a little comfort around the table this season."

The donation builds on Rosina's longstanding commitment to feeding local families. In March, the company donated 4,400 pounds of frozen meatballs — 552,000 meatballs, enough for approximately 100,800 meals — to FeedMore WNY for National Meatball Day.

About the Rosina 2026 Pasta Night Report

The report is based on a September 2026 online survey of 1,009 U.S. adults who consumed or prepared pasta in the previous three months, and offers a national snapshot of pasta consumption habits, preferences and perceptions. Respondents were recruited through TapResearch's consumer panel, and results were weighted to reflect the U.S. Census age distribution.

About Rosina

Proudly owned and operated by an authentic Italian family spanning three generations, Rosina brings the spirit of Italy to America's tables as one of the top frozen meatball and pasta brands in the country. From its hometown of Buffalo, NY, Rosina's more than 800 team members serve retail, foodservice and manufacturing partners worldwide. Learn more at www.rosina.com.

Media Contact: [email protected] 

SOURCE Rosina Food Products