The $2.80 pasta that's winning over Italian chefs and changing how Aussie seniors shop

Standing in the pasta aisle at Woolworths, surrounded by dozens of boxes in varying shades of yellow, you're not alone if you feel completely bewildered.

Is the bright yellow one better, or should you go for that pale, expensive-looking option? And why does pasta that looks nearly identical range from under a dollar to over four dollars?

Twin brothers and Italian Street Kitchen chefs Enrico and Giulio Marchese have made it their mission to cut through this confusion. With restaurants across Australia, they've watched too many home cooks struggle with pasta selection, often defaulting to whatever's cheapest or most familiar.

Their advice is refreshingly simple: 'The colour should be a pale, warm yellow,' the brothers explain, warning against bright or artificial-looking pasta. This golden hue signals quality durum wheat semolina, the foundation of proper Italian pasta.

Why La Molisana has Italian chefs talking

The chefs recommend La Molisana, a brand that has perfected this craft since 1912, making it one of Italy's most established pasta producers. Currently on special at Woolworths for $2.80 (down from the regular $3.50), this rigatoni has earned praise for good reason.

What sets La Molisana apart is its traditional production method. Made with the finest Durum Wheat Semolina, it's extruded through traditional 'bronze dies', creating a homemade rough texture that helps pasta absorb and hold onto any sauce perfectly every time.

This rough surface isn't just a marketing gimmick. Unlike smooth pasta made with modern Teflon dies, the bronze die process creates tiny grooves that grab sauce, meaning every bite delivers maximum flavour.

The health benefits that matter most to you

For Australians over 60, pasta often gets unfairly demonised in discussions about healthy eating. Recent research paints a very different picture, particularly for women in our age group.

A 2021 study published in BMJ Nutrition found that women aged 50 to 79 who ate pasta three to four times per week were 16 per cent less likely to have a stroke and 9 per cent less likely to develop heart disease than those who ate it less than once a week.

Image source: Italian Street Kitchen.

The nutritional profile is more impressive than many realise. A cup of cooked pasta provides 8 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fibre, plus 26 per cent of your daily folate needs and 10 per cent of your iron requirements—all for just 220 calories.

Even more encouraging for our age group: research has found that a Mediterranean-style diet, which includes regular pasta consumption, has protective effects against age-related cognitive decline in men and women 65 years and older.

How Australian brands stack up

While La Molisana impresses Italian chefs, Australia's consumer testing shows ALDI's Remano pasta has earned the top spot in Canstar Blue's dried pasta review for two consecutive years, receiving five-star ratings across all categories.

Price-wise, the range is dramatic: basic supermarket brands (ALDI's Remano, Woolworths Essentials, Coles) cost around 80 cents per 500g, while premium options like La Molisana can reach $3—nearly four times the difference.

Among pasta enthusiasts on bargain-hunting forums, 'Barilla, La Molisana & Cucina Matese' consistently rank as the best supermarket options. Barilla, while more expensive at around $3.50 regular price, often goes on special, making it competitive with other premium brands.

Fresh versus dried: when to choose what

The Marchese brothers recommend heading to the refrigerated section for the highest quality, especially for filled varieties like tortellini or ravioli. Fresh pasta from the refrigerated section offers delicate texture, particularly for filled varieties, but quality dried pasta like La Molisana serves different purposes—it stores longer, costs less, and actually works better with robust sauces that might overwhelm delicate fresh pasta.

For seniors managing on fixed incomes, dried pasta offers excellent value. It keeps for months in the pantry, allows for bulk buying when specials appear, and pairs beautifully with simple, budget-friendly sauces.

The one thing these chefs never buy

Despite their enthusiasm for quality pasta, there's one item the Marchese brothers refuse to purchase: pre-made pasta sauce.

'A good tomato sauce takes very few cheap ingredients: garlic, olive oil, seasoning and real Italian whole peeled tinned tomatoes,' they explain. 'You can taste the difference in every bite. Buying shop-bought is a waste of money, and it's not fair to your taste buds.'

Simple sauce recipes for busy seniors

• 1 can (400g) quality whole peeled tomatoes
  
• 2-3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
  
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  
• Optional: fresh basil leaves

Heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic until fragrant (don't brown), crush tomatoes by hand as you add them, season and simmer 15-20 minutes.

• 100g pasta per person
  
• 4-5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  
• 80ml good olive oil
  
• Chilli flakes (optional)
  
• Parsley and parmesan to serve

Cook pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, gently heat olive oil and garlic until golden. Toss hot pasta with the oil, add chilli if desired, finish with parsley and cheese.

Budget-friendly pasta meals under $5

Pasta with tuna and lemon - $4.20 per serving
La Molisana pasta ($0.56) + canned tuna ($1.50) + lemon ($0.50) + olive oil and garlic ($0.50) + frozen peas ($1.14) = hearty, protein-rich meal

Spaghetti aglio e olio - $2.80 per serving
Pasta ($0.56) + olive oil ($0.80) + garlic ($0.30) + parmesan ($1.14) = classic Italian comfort food

Simple tomato pasta - $3.50 per serving
Pasta ($0.56) + canned tomatoes ($1.20) + olive oil ($0.50) + garlic ($0.24) + onion ($1.00) = satisfying family favourite

Smart shopping tips for pasta lovers

Timing your purchases: Major supermarkets rotate pasta specials approximately every 6-8 weeks. Stock up when your preferred brands hit 50 per cent off—dried pasta keeps for 2-3 years when stored properly.

Storage wisdom: Keep pasta in airtight containers to prevent pantry moths. Label with purchase dates and use older stock first.

Serving sizes: A proper serving is 2 ounces dry pasta (about 1 cup cooked), roughly the size of a baseball when cooked. This helps with both portion control and budget planning.

Perfect pasta cooking for better nutrition

Don't overcook your pasta—that breaks the bonds between protein and starch. These bonds remain intact in firm noodles (al dente), keeping the pasta's glycemic index low and helping you feel satisfied longer.

This is particularly important for seniors managing blood sugar levels. Properly cooked pasta provides steady energy without the spikes associated with overcooked or refined carbohydrates.