Mikaela Shiffrin shares how her favorite pasta dishes keep her connected to family, interview

While Mikaela Shiffrin has earned many accolades racing down the slopes, her time spent with her family is precious. When they gather around the table, it is more than the great conversations and laughter that make it memorable. Sometimes, it is a taste from her travels that combine home and away in a flavorful way.

Although few people will appreciate the skill, determination, and mental fortitude that it takes to be a professional skier, Mikaela Shiffrin has showcased those qualities and more. People have cheered her victories and empathized with her less than triumphant moments.

Beyond family and friends supporting her along the way, Barilla has been a long time sponsor. During a recent conversation with FoodSided, Shiffrin shared, ‘’we entered our partnership literally a day before my very first World Cup podium. They’ve been with me since the very beginning. Every single World Cup win that I have has been with Barilla and it means a lot to me.”

That partnership is more than just a logo on her hat. Barilla pasta has not only been a constant support in her career, but it also flavors many meals that she shares with her family. Shiffrin shared that sometimes being away from home can create a disconnect. Although her mother travels with her, those moments that she gets to head home, spend time with her family, and even share a great meal together can fuel her for the next competition. She mentioned that she never takes them for granted because those simple moments are so precious.

Shiffrin mentioned that when she comes home, family time is often spent preparing and enjoying food together. The laughter in the kitchen to the conversation around the table, she cherishes those moments.

Sometimes, Shiffrin uses some of her favorite pasta dishes to bridge that overseas life with her family time. One way is to bring some of the flavors from Europe to her home table.

While Shiffrin mentioned that she believes “pasta is the best foundation for any meal, because there are endless recipes available, and it allows you to be creative on a daily basis.” Whether it is a simple dish with a chunky tomato sauce and some fresh basil or a more layered dish, there are always plenty of options.

From a robust carbonara to Bolognese, she has plenty of dishes that are part of her recipe repertoire. One dish that is her go to is aglio de olio. While that pasta dish is relatively simple, the flavor resonates with her.

As Shiffrin said, “the spicy oil olive is so good. Even though I’m not very good with spice, it is a sauce unlike any other and it is not too spicy. It is one of my favorite flavors. Other than chocolate, I would eat it all the time.”

While Mikaela Shiffrin might rely on Barilla pasta not only to fuel her athletic pursuits, those pasta focused meals reinforce her connection with family and friends around the table. From flavoring the food with conversation to making memories that last long after the last dish is cleared, that meal sustains the body, heart, and soul.