10 Canned Pastas Worth Buying + 5 That Aren’t
Canned pasta has long been a pantry hero—quick to heat, nostalgic as a snow day lunch, and surprisingly comforting when cravings hit. But not all cans are created equal.
Some bring rich sauces, decent texture, and real flavor, while others feel like sad imitations of childhood favorites. This list breaks down which canned pastas are worth keeping stocked—and which ones deserve to stay on the shelf.
1. Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli
This classic holds up better than you’d expect, with tender pasta pillows and a rich, sweet-savory tomato sauce. The beef filling is soft but satisfying, and the sauce clings just right.
Nostalgia helps, but the flavor does its part too. It’s easy, reliable, and oddly comforting after a long day.
2. Rao’s Homemade Penne Alla Vodka
Rao’s delivers creamy, garlicky vodka sauce that actually tastes homemade, with al dente penne that doesn’t turn to mush. The tomato cream blend is mellow, with just the right hit of richness.
It feels like restaurant leftovers in the best way. A standout among shelf-stable meals.
3. Annie’s Organic Bernie O’s
Think SpaghettiOs, but with cleaner ingredients and a slight hint of real tomato flavor. The pasta letters are firm and fun, and the sauce avoids the metallic tang some canned versions carry.
Great for kids and grownups alike. The bunny on the can might be cute, but the flavor’s no joke.
4. Trader Joe’s Organic Shells & White Cheddar with Pasta Sauce
A clever twist on mac and cheese, this version swaps in a tomato-rich sauce under the cheese for a more savory bite. The shells hold onto the creamy blend beautifully without turning gummy.
Warm, tangy, and deeply satisfying. It’s comfort food with a little grown-up twist.
5. Amy’s Organic Spaghetti Italiano
Hearty tomato sauce meets soft organic spaghetti with a whisper of vegetables and herbs. It’s got a homemade taste that stands out from the rest, without being over-seasoned.
Vegetarian-friendly and super filling. If you want something clean and classic, this one delivers.
6. Progresso Traditional Italian-Style Wedding Soup With Pasta
Tiny pasta orbs float in a broth packed with tender meatballs, leafy greens, and just enough seasoning. It’s more soup than pasta, but the balance works beautifully.
Light yet hearty, with honest ingredients. A rainy day go-to that doesn’t disappoint.
7. Franco-American Spaghetti
A vintage favorite with soft noodles swimming in a sweet tomato sauce that tastes like childhood. It’s simple, slightly sweet, and oddly satisfying for how little it tries.
No frills, but it hits that retro craving. A classic that earns its spot in the pantry.
8. 365 By Whole Foods Market Organic Spaghetti O’s
These loops have a firmer bite than their name-brand cousin, and the sauce is surprisingly bold with natural tomato flavor. No artificial weirdness here—just straightforward ingredients that work.
Healthier feel, same playful shape. A solid upgrade to an old-school staple.
9. Campbell’s SpaghettiOs With Meatballs
The OG canned pasta still delivers when it comes to nostalgia and flavor. The sauce is tangy-sweet, and the meatballs, while soft, add enough variety to keep it interesting.
It’s a guilty pleasure that feels familiar in all the right ways. Still worth popping open once in a while.
10. Barilla Ready Pasta Rotini With Marinara
Ready in 60 seconds and shockingly firm for a pre-cooked pasta, this pouch delivers clean marinara flavor and a solid bite. The rotini holds the sauce well without falling apart.
It’s not quite gourmet—but for fast food from a pouch, it’s pretty close. Weeknight win.
11. Chef Boyardee Cheese Ravioli
The cheese filling lacks flavor, with a texture that leans gritty instead of creamy. The sauce is overly sweet and doesn’t do much to help.
Even nostalgia can’t save this one. It’s just bland on bland.
12. Great Value Canned Spaghetti
Thin noodles drown in a watery, under-seasoned tomato slurry that tastes more like tin than sauce. The texture goes from limp to lifeless fast.
Cheap, but not cheerful. There are better budget options out there.
13. Chef Boyardee Mini ABC’s & 123’s With Meatballs
The pasta letters are soft to the point of mush, and the meatballs crumble into mystery mush. The sauce feels flat, overly sweet, and unbalanced.
A fun idea that misses the mark. Even kids tend to leave it unfinished.
14. Hunt’s Snack Pack Pasta
Oddly sweet with a strange aftertaste, this attempt at a canned pasta snack feels like it was never meant to be real food. The texture is pasty and unappealing.
Snack pack or not, this one’s a skip. It feels more like punishment than lunch.
15. Libby’s Macaroni & Beef In Tomato Sauce
A strange, oily film coats the overly soft macaroni, while the beef tastes more like mystery meat than actual meat. The sauce tries for tangy but ends up tasting metallic.
It’s heavy in the worst way. More school cafeteria flashback than comforting meal.