I Asked 4 Chefs To Name the Best Dry Pasta—They All Said the Same Brand

There are so many brands of pasta to pick from at the grocery store. Which one do chefs reach for?

Jul 15, 2024 - 16:00
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I Asked 4 Chefs To Name the Best Dry Pasta—They All Said the Same Brand
plateful of pasta with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves
Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser

There’s incredible pasta, and there’s OK pasta. Even an objectively bland pasta is tasty in my eyes (er... belly). The most memorable pasta my taste buds regularly yearn for was served inside a Parmigiano Reggiano rind in Florence, Italy. And one of my favorite dinners, when I’m feeling run-down, is a slightly grown-up version of the beloved butter noodles of my childhood—add Parm and freshly cracked pepper, please!

This is all to say that my love for pasta is all-inclusive. I’m not a fussy pasta eater—I love all pasta for its carbs, versatility, and tastiness. 

My pantry is stocked with a wide variety of pasta shapes and styles. I put irrational weight on pairing the right pasta shape with the right sauce—I want it to sit in the grooves of the pasta just so. I'm also a sucker for new-to-me pasta shapes. But when it comes to choosing pasta at the grocery store, I tend to let the shape influence me, and I don’t have a specific brand that I’m partial to. But should I?

I asked chefs for their favorite dried pasta brands to help me decide, and to my surprise, one brand rose to the top.

The Panel of Pasta Loving Experts

box of Barilla Rigatoni over a colorful background
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images

The Best Dry Pasta, According to the Experts

The unanimous choice among these experts is Barilla.

Dan expresses his fondness for Barilla, saying, “Barilla, for sure! I love them not only because the pasta cooks perfectly every time but also because I know I can count on them to have all my favorite nostalgic shapes that were part of my Italian American upbringing, like ditalini, orecchiette, and tri-color rotini!” Dan's enthusiasm highlights Barilla's ability to evoke cherished memories through its various shapes.

Jamie has a special place in her heart for Barilla, particularly their rigatoni. She appreciates the consistent quality and taste, making Barilla her go-to brand for creating delicious pasta dishes.

Lucy keeps it simple yet practical: “Truly nothing fancy—I buy Barilla pasta! I find noodles don't fall apart when boiled, which happens often with more affordable grocery store brands. The noodles stay bouncy yet tender without being mealy.” 

And Laura loves the healthy options that Barilla offers. “I almost always use Barilla! I love the whole grain, chickpea, and red lentil noodles they make because of the simple ingredients.” Laura’s endorsement shows that Barilla caters to those seeking healthier alternatives without sacrificing taste.