The Best Whole Wheat Pastas

If you’re looking for a more nutritious alternative to regular pasta that costs less than the legume and quinoa varieties, try whole-wheat. The package sizes of the seven products we tested were 12 to 16 ounces and the prices were $1.50 to $3 per box.

Like white pasta, whole-wheat pasta is made from durum wheat but contains all three parts of the grain—bran, endosperm, and germ. That means it has more nutrients and fiber—about 3 to 4 additional grams per serving—than the regular kind, although its protein and calories are about the same.

Two ounces of whole wheat pasta, which cooks up to about a cup, had between 180 and 200 calories, 6 to 9 grams of protein, and 5 to 6 grams of fiber. All seven of the whole wheat pastas in our tests scored Very Good for nutrition.

Another plus: In terms of flavor and texture, some whole-wheat pastas come close to traditional ones. “Depending on which product you choose, the taste differences may not be all that noticeable, especially with a flavorful sauce,” says Ellen Klosz, who led our testing of alternative pastas. “Barilla Whole Grain Penne and Ronzoni Healthy Harvest 100% Whole Grain Penne Rigate, with Very Good taste ratings, stood out from the rest for their nutty whole-grain flavors and their slightly chewy, springy texture.”

The remaining five brands received Good ratings. In order of quality, they are De Cecco 100% Whole Wheat Penne Rigate, 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic Whole Wheat Penne Rigate, Trader Giotto’s (Trader Joe’s) Organic Whole Wheat Penne Rigate, DeLallo Organic 100% Whole Wheat Penne Rigate, and Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Whole Grain Penne.

More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc.