The 7 Best Pasta Brands in Any Grocery Store, According to Experts
Whether you're looking for the perfect spaghetti or the best gluten-free penne, our Test Kitchen says these are the best picks to keep an eye out for.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
The most ardent pasta lovers will tell you that the secret to a delicious Italian dinner is not, in fact, in the sauce — it all boils down to the noodle itself. Whether you're whipping up a lazy (read: fast!) plate of weeknight spaghetti or attempting a new vegan variation, choosing the best kind of pasta can instantly help elevate your dinner. But most people don't always have time to make their pasta from scratch, including our team of food editors. Navigating the pasta aisle at your local supermarket is super easy when you know which store-bought brands are stepping up to the challenge. So our team of experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen are sharing the brand names you should look out for — including the varieties they can't live without in their own kitchens.
What constitutes the best pasta, you might ask? It's all about how the noodles are made, including the quality of ingredients, and how well they stand up against hearty sauces. Nothing is worse than a rich sauce sinking to the bottom of the bowl because the pasta itself isn't substantial enough to hold it. Sometimes, it's about the shape you choose to cook with — other times, thought, the firmness and integrity of the pasta itself might be to blame.
All of the following brands have different qualities that our food team enjoys — including a favorite gluten-free option, gourmet picks, and prepared pasta specialities, like ravioli. Nothing tastes as great (and feels as special!) as making fresh pasta from scratch, but these brands come pretty darn close.
There's a chance that you've already used Barilla products in your kitchen — and for good reason. It seems that most supermarkets in the United States carry a wide array of Barilla's products, which include its regular line of 35 plus shapes and cuts, as well as a few specialty lines.
Food Editor Catherine Lo is able to buy a classic shape like penne or spaghetti with a twist: Barilla's Protein+ line is made with wheat flour is also cut with lentils, chickpeas, and peas, making it a better-for-you choice at dinnertime. For al dente lovers, there's also Barilla's Collezione variety, which contains noodles that are cut to stay more rigid than their regular counterparts.
A close runner up, De Cecco is just as versatile as Barilla's line and, if you're browsing the pasta section in your local store, may have just as many options. But Assistant Editor Becca Miller finds that De Cecco is often on sale; whether it's buy-one-get-one, or a special reduction on a certain shape, you should take the opportunity to stock up.
Whether it's because you're looking for a healthier splurge or you are dealing with gluten sensitivities, Banza's line of chickpea-based pastas should be your first choice. A vegan favorite, all of Banza's pasta products are made with tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum, which binds the noodles together. Miller advises checking the box's directions twice, as chickpea pasta can cook much faster than traditional noodles and may need more water to reduce foam in the pot.
The pasta aisle at Whole Foods is impressively stacked with many better-for-you products, including gluten-free varieties and a cache of organic options. But the wholesome retailer's private-label brand is also made certified organic, and compared to other name brands in the aisle, it may be the most affordable.
Made in Italy, Pastificio Di Martino produces luxe pasta that feels like the ultimate splurge for any fanatic. Case in point: The brand collaborated with Dolce & Gabbana back in 2017 to create hand-wrapped noodles for trendsetters who couldn't live without a Dolce-designed apron and kitchen accessories, too. Nowadays, you'll find their noodles in most speciality stores — and some shapes, like this macaroni, online. If Miller is whipping up a show-stopping pasta for a special occasion, she'll go out of her way to source a box of this pasta. "I even love eating [this] pasta all on its own," she shares.
If you're looking to surprise your dinner guests with a unique pasta dinner, this brand produces the most unusual shapes and varieties on the market. "My favorite is their cestini pasta," Lo says. "It's great for ingredients that might get lost in another kind of pasta; things like peas and ground meat. It cups the ingredients and the sauce all at once."
Rana Filled Pastas
If you're looking to skirt around the arduous task of making ravioli by hand, Rana's refrigerated options are your best bet. Lo points out that there are many varieties that you can come by in your local supermarket, but choosing a simple ravioli might work in your favor. "Stick with the basic cheese, as it's versatile enough to fit into any recipes you may have in mind," she says. It may also help you save on added sodium and other heavy ingredients.
Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, leading audience acquisition and affiliate revenue growth for Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering news, wellness trends and executing product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a background in women's lifestyle media with seven-plus years of digital editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living. Zee currently produces design and lifestyle service content as a contributor; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.
Trader Joe's Tandoori Naan Review
Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh Review
The Best Emergency Food Kits
Sunbasket Meal Kit Review
