Skip to content

Top Navigation

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Food
  • Home
  • Life
  • Health
  • Money
  • Style and Beauty
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • News
  • Shopping
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Real Simple

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Explore

    Explore

    • How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      Try one of these three easy methods to make sure your ring fits perfectly, every time. Read More
    • Here's the Right Temperature for Your Refrigerator and Freezer (Because a Few Degrees Makes a Difference)

      Here's the Right Temperature for Your Refrigerator and Freezer (Because a Few Degrees Makes a Difference)

      Keeping foods chilled properly helps them last longer and stay fresher. Sticking to the ideal refrigerator temps can help you avoid potential foodborne illnesses, too. Read More
    • 34 Great Books to Suit Any Mood or Interest

      34 Great Books to Suit Any Mood or Interest

      This list has you covered, no matter how you're feeling. Read More
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    Not all dairy is created equal. 
    • Recipes
    • Real Simple Cooking School
    • Cooking Tips & Techniques
    • Shopping and Storing
    • Kitchen Tools and Products
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    • Cleaning
    • Organizing
    • Decorating
    • Gardening
    • Home Improvement
    • Green Living
    • New Uses for Old Things at Home
    • Quick Fix
    • Real Simple Home
  • Life

    Life

    See All Life
    • Family
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Wedding Planning
    • Travel Ideas
    • Career
    • Get It Done
  • Health

    Health

    See All Health
    Feel Like You Don't Enjoy Anything Anymore? There's a Name for That—Here Are 8 Ways You Can Break Through It

    Feel Like You Don't Enjoy Anything Anymore? There's a Name for That—Here Are 8 Ways You Can Break Through It

    Mental health experts explain anhedonia and how you can bounce back from this joyless state of mind.
    • Preventive Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health Coach
    • Crisis Coping
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Healthy Eating
    • Well Fed
  • Money

    Money

    See All Money
    Are You Keeping Too Much Money in the Bank? Here's How to Tell

    Are You Keeping Too Much Money in the Bank? Here's How to Tell

    Putting money in the bank is smart, but too much cash savings can actually be a poor use of that money.
    • Money Confidential Podcast
    • Saving Money
    • Money Planning
    • Money Confidential
    • Spending
    • Money Etiquette
    • Invest Better
  • Style and Beauty

    Style and Beauty

    See All Style and Beauty
    How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

    How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

    All you need is a tape measure and a little free time.
    • Clothing
    • Skincare
    • Shoes
    • Hair
    • Clothing Care
    • Makeup
    • Hair Body Face
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining
    PowerPoint Parties Are the Party Trend You Have to Try: Here's How to Host One

    PowerPoint Parties Are the Party Trend You Have to Try: Here's How to Host One

    PowerPoint nights are the new fun way to party together—even when you're far apart.
    • All Holidays
    • Gifts
    • Father's Day
    • Passover
    • Entertaining
    • Home for the Holidays
    • Come Together
    • Hanukkah
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • News
  • Shopping
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Real Simple
  2. Food
  3. Shopping & Storing
  4. Food Shopping & Storing
  5. We Tried 47 Pastas—These Are the 6 Best

We Tried 47 Pastas—These Are the 6 Best

Phoebe Fry
By Phoebe Fry Updated May 26, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet
Pasta Brands

If you haven't had it at least once a day during the quarantine, consider us awestruck. Pasta is, after all, a near-perfect food. Whether we're talking pre-pandemic or week whatever-we're-at of eating all our meals at home, we can always look to pasta when we need a dinner that's easy to prepare, affordable, and shelf-stable. But not all store bought noodles are created equal, which is why we boiled the water, poured in the pasta, and tasted 47 types. Here, the standouts you should stock up on.

Start Slideshow

1 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Short: Barilla Collezione Penne

Pasta Brands: Barilla
Credit: Courtesy of manufacturer

A little longer than usual, this tube surprised us with its deep, sauce-capturing ridges and artisanal-quality texture.

To buy: $3 for 16 oz.; meijer.com.

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Long: De Cecco Spaghetti No. 12

Pasta Brands: DeCecco
Credit: Courtesy of manufacturer

Get ready to twirl. This long noodle has a mild flavor and perfect texture when cooked al dente. Pair with a batch of saucy meatballs.

To buy: $2 for 16 oz.; target.com.

2 of 6

3 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Gluten-Free: Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli

Pasta Brands: Trader Joe's
Credit: Peter Ardito

Gluten-free pastas can be tricky (that's a nice way of saying gloppy and chewy). But this rice-based option has a firm bite and mellow taste.

To buy: $2 for 16 oz.; traderjoes.com for stores.

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Whole-Wheat: Garofalo Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Pasta Brands: Garofalo
Credit: Peter Ardito

This nutty pick holds up well to bold flavors, like garlic, anchovies, and chiles. It also packs ample fiber and protein.

To buy: $4 for 16 oz.; eataly.com.

4 of 6

5 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Splurge: Faella Mezzi Paccheri

Pasta Brands: Faella
Credit: Courtesy of manufacturer

These elegant rings are dinner-party showstoppers—and worth every penny. Chunky sauces nestle in the hollows, adding flavor to each forkful.

To buy: $11 for 1.1 lb.; gustiamo.com.

5 of 6

6 of 6

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Best Stuffed: Giovanni Rana Cheese Lovers Tortelloni

Pasta Brands: Rana
Credit: Peter Ardito

Lots of stuffed pastas boast three cheeses, but this irresistible option has five, including creamy mascarpone.

To buy: $6 for 18 oz.; walmart.com.

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Phoebe Fry

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 6 Best Short: Barilla Collezione Penne
    2 of 6 Best Long: De Cecco Spaghetti No. 12
    3 of 6 Best Gluten-Free: Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli
    4 of 6 Best Whole-Wheat: Garofalo Whole Wheat Spaghetti
    5 of 6 Best Splurge: Faella Mezzi Paccheri
    6 of 6 Best Stuffed: Giovanni Rana Cheese Lovers Tortelloni

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Real Simple Logo

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithAll products and services featured are selected by our editors. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Real Simple is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Real Simple. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.realsimple.com

    Sign in

    View image

    We Tried 47 Pastas—These Are the 6 Best
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.