Nostalgic Comfort Food Returns After Devastating Discontinuation: A 'Christmas Miracle'

Ronzoni broke hearts last year when it discontinued its star-shaped pasta, but now, its fan-favorite Pastina is back!

The brand appears to have quietly re-released the beloved variety, as it was spotted on store shelves earlier this month. One food blogger known online as A Food Obsession even snapped a photo of it while at a grocery store in New Jersey.

🤩🤩 SIGN UP for Parade’s Trending News newsletter & we’ll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about 🗞️🗞️

“Here I am tonight in a local ShopRite (the Neptune NJ location),” the influencer wrote in the caption of their Nov. 2 Facebook upload that featured a selfie with the pasta, directly from the aisle. “Look what’s in my hand??!! I bought 3 boxes. Expiration dates are sept 2026. And it’s only .99. A box. And the boxes have been 12 oz for years. Not 16 oz,” A Food Obsession explained, pushing back against naysayers. “So for the Ronzoni Pastina lovers out there it’s back.”

Then, over the weekend, Markie_devo, another credible food blogger, shared the news on Instagram, confirming the product would be headed to all stores that stock the brand. “I’m not sure if it was backlash from the fans or just out of the kindness of their heart, but Pastina is back,” the Nov. 22 post joked.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Just as many fans online pointed out, other brands—like Barilla and Target’s own Good & Gather—have some version of star-shaped pasta, but those who prefer the Ronzoni brand have been doing without for about a year—and now, they claim to already be stocking up on the re-release.

“Yay…but I stocked up with 10 boxes already😂,” one Instagram user admitted, before a second shared, “Stocking up now!”

“A true Christmas miracle 🥲,” another wrote back.

A third quipped that they’ll now be “Inhaling pasta forever.”

“Love when brands listen to customers,” another wrote, in part.

“Just in time for soup season!!!” one more declared.

Ronzoni’s Pastina is currently available online at select ShopRite locations and is on sale for $0.99 per box. The tiny star-shaped pasta is expected to be available at all other major retailers that regularly stock Ronzoni in the coming weeks, if not already.

Next: Pillsbury’s Latest Release Has Fans Asking the Same Question