Top Chef Michael Chiarello Serves Up Tips for Families Craving Quick Yet Authentic Italian Meals at Home

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Gourmet hors d'oeuvres, colorful sides, a mouthwatering entrée, decadent desserts, wines and lots of ambiance can really round out the Italian experience.

Omaha, Neb. (Vocus) October 27, 2009

American palates have been enamored with the tastes and flavors of Italian meals for years. In fact, when asked to name their favorite ethnic cuisine, American consumers have consistently named "Italian" as one of the top choices, according to the Institute of Food Technologists(i). Marie Callender's knows that an authentic Italian meal requires more than simply putting pasta on a plate so just in time for National Pasta Month, the brand has teamed up with award-winning Italian-American chef, Food Network host and Top Chef Masters contestant Michael Chiarello to help Americans create a full, authentic Italian dining experience at home.

As seven out of 10 Americas have proclaimed a taste for authentic, home-cooked Italian meals, nearly half don't have the time or energy to prepare one(ii) . Now, busy consumers desiring a taste of Italy can enjoy a variety of bona fide Italian meals that are both fresh and flavorful - from the freezer, to the microwave, to the table in less than five minutes with the popular new Marie Callender's Pasta Al Dente line from ConAgra Foods. Marie Callender's, which launched the line with six meals in March, is introducing four new varieties.

"Whether you're preparing a homemade Italian meal from scratch or enjoying the convenience of Marie Callender's Pasta Al Dente varieties, a few simple tricks can transform your home into the Italian countryside for an evening," said Chiarello. "Gourmet hors d'oeuvres, colorful sides, a mouthwatering entrée, decadent desserts, wines and lots of ambiance can really round out the Italian experience."

Learn more from Chef Michael Chiarello on how to fully experience the Italian meal and how Marie Callender's Pasta Al Dente can provide you with experience real ingredients and flavor steamed to perfection within minutes. For the Pasta Al Dente fact sheet, please click here. To download broadcast quality video, please right click here and choose the Save As option. For the full press release, click here.

(i) Institute of Food Technologists, State-of-the-Industry Report: What, When, and Where America Eats. January, 2006. http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/65A7B82E-0AFF-4639-95B2-733B8225D93A/0/0106americaeats.pdf
(ii) These findings are based on a survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation among a sample of 1,000 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older. SOURCE ConAgra Foods, Inc.

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