From America's Test Kitchen Season 8: Pasta and Tomatoes, Reimagined TESTING NOTES

WINNER
Rated as HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

• Mueller’s Penne Rigate - $1.89 for 16 oz. at Shaw’s

Once again beating out Italian imports, this "hearty," wheaty" pasta earned top honors.

Amazon Link

Three were rated as RECOMMENDED

• Benedetto Cavalieri Penne Rigate - $1.99 for 16 oz. at www.peapod.com

Made in the "delicate method"—a traditional method using long kneading, slow processing, and drying at low temperature—these imported, oversized, "rigatoni-like" quills earned much praise for tasting especially "homemade" and "wheaty."

• De Cecco Penne - $1.99 for 16 oz. at www.peapod.com

Always a top finisher in our tastings, this widely available Italian import garnered praise for its "good texture."

Amazon Link

• Martelli le Penne Claissiche - $5.50 for 17.6 oz. at www.gustiamo.com

As the priciest pasta of the bunch, this Italian import earned points for its "good chew."

NOTE: The price has gone up - the product on gustiamo is the same as the amazon link below; $9.25 and not $5.50

Amazon Link

Three others were rated as RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS:

• Bionaturae Organic Penne Rigate - $2.69 for 16 oz. at Whole Foods
  
• Montebello Organic Penne Rigate - $2.99 for 16 oz. at Whole Foods
  
• Rustichella d’Abruzzo Penne - $3.69 for 17.5 oz. at Whole Foods