12 Healthy Store-Bought Whole-Grain Pastas

February 18, 2016
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
Your supermarket-to-stove guide to the best whole-grain varieties.
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The Taste Test

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

In just one serving of whole-grain pasta, you can meet your daily whole-grain needs (plus a few extra) at the cost of about $0.25 a serving. Add in supporting ingredients like healthy oils, seafood, greens, nuts, veggies, and beans, and you've got yourself a winning weeknight dinner. But not every noodle is as pleasantly slurpable as the next, and navigating the endless pasta aisle can be a bit overwhelming. We tasted more than 60 varieties in order to give you our 12 favorite brands.

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1. Bionaturae Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

This top pick builds a sturdy frame for saucy layers, but its mild profile won't compete with other ingredients.

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2. Lundberg Brown Rice Spaghetti

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Elegant and delightfully chewy: Splash with olive oil, and toss with roasted veggies.

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3. Tinkyáda Brown Rice Elbow

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Silky, nutty, and mildly sweet—perfect for mac and cheese.

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4. Barilla Penne

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Nice and nutty; built with grooves to keep sauce clinging on the outside.

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5. Whole Foods 365

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

A top pick for those who want an earthy profile. Thick and sturdy, it's perfect for a hearty meat sauce or Bolognese.

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6. Wild Oats Organic

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Toss this tender noodle with something simple: a bright pesto or olive oil-dressed tomatoes.

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7. Barilla Lasagna

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We love the hearty chew this one lends to a gooey, supersaucy white lasagna.

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8. Trader Joe's Brown Rice Quinoa

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Silky and springy; the only quinoa-based noodle we tasted with no bitterness.

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9. Delallo No Boil

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

No-boil lasagna with bounce! Coat entire noodle in sauce to avoid crunchy edges.

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10. Market Pantry (Target Store Brand)

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

So delicate it was creamy; a lovely stand-in for traditional white pasta.

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11. Barilla Spaghetti

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Elegantly thin, pleasantly bran-flavor-forward, and great under a hefty sprinkle of Parmesan.

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12. Alma's Penne

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

This neutral noodle will let the sauce shine beautifully. Best if kept al dente.

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Bonus: Bean Pastas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

Legume-based pastas have an impressive protein and fiber count, some with as much protein as meat. Just don't expect these to taste—or be firm to the bite—like traditional pasta.

Banza Chickpea Pasta
With 14g protein and 8g fiber per serving, this pasta is starchy like its main ingredient and goes best with something it won't soak up—a few glugs of good olive oil, garlic, fresh tomatoes, and feta cheese.

Explore Asian Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine
Thin strands with a bouncy, springy texture, much like tofu. A 2-ounce portion has 24g protein (as much as a 3-ounce steak) and 10g fiber. Try it with an herby or garlicky pesto.

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