7 Canned Pastas You Should Buy And 3 You Should Leave At The Store

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Canned pasta is a quick and easy food that brings a nostalgic comfort to many people. Whether you grew up on Chef Boyardee or SpaghettiOs, there is something about that canned pasta taste that can't be replaced. Over the years, the brands we know and love have come out with many different flavors and types of pastas, while new brands have also surfaced, throwing their noodle into the mix. The canned noodle aisle in the grocery store has many options, and we want to make sure you know which ones to buy and which to avoid.

It's pretty well known that canned pasta isn't necessarily a health food. Many brands have high amounts of fat, sodium, sugar, and carbohydrates. However, everything can fit into a balanced diet in moderation. And truthfully, sometimes you just want a cheap, easy meal that tastes good and gives you some energy. To recommend these canned pastas, we will be focusing primarily on taste and secondarily on nutrition, as we'll elaborate on at the end of this list. Thanks to customer reviews across multiple sites, there is endless information about these pastas that help support our statements.

If you've ever uttered the phrase "Uhoh, SpaghettiO!" in a sing-songy tune, you probably remember the famous SpaghettiOs commercials that graced our televisions starting in the 1960s. When this brand came out, it was competing directly with Chef Boyardee. However, SpaghettiOs has its own appeal, with its signature circular pasta that was specifically designed for children.

The original flavor of SpaghettiOs has always been popular, and it remains a fan favorite today. Kroger and Target reviewers rate the canned pasta highly, with 4.5 and 4.7 stars respectively. Both group of reviewers comment that this canned pasta is great for their children. It seems like the convenience, price, and their kid's love for the taste make it a win in any parent's books.

There were also many comments about how the classic SpaghettiOs bring back a sense of nostalgia for adults who indulge in the meal. A review on Kroger sums up those feelings: "I am 32 years old, and I still love a good 'ol can of SpaghettiOs. I really do. I know it's not the 'healthiest' meal choice, but when you are in a pinch, it is so good. Plus, it is a really great comfort food."

Another positive thing to note about SpaghettiOs Original is that it has an extremely low fat count, with only 2 grams per can. In the world of canned pasta, that's a great asset, as many brands tend to be high-fat due to added cheese or meat.

At first glance, one might think that Heinz Zoodles are a can of zucchini noodles, aka zoodles. Many people with gluten or wheat allergies reach for zoodles in the grocery store as an alternative to wheat noodles. However, the term for these canned Heinz noodles comes from their zoo animal shape. They are a fan favorite, and although clever and cute, it's important to note these aren't the zoodles most people think of.

Even though there could be confusion with the product name, it has 4.3 stars on the Walmart website and is marked as a popular item on Instacart. Heinz is known for making one of the most popular ketchups, and people seem equally satisfied with the taste of the tomato sauce. One reviewer said there is a bit of a spice flavor to the sauce that is enjoyable. 

Many of the reviewers mention these are a go-to meal for their children, due to the convenience and taste. A Walmart reviewer wrote, "​​My kids love zoodles. I make them for my kids a lot for lunch. Easy and they love it. I highly recommend it to anyone". With the noodles shaped like different types of animals — from kangaroos to hippos — this is a simple and fun meal for kids. The ingredient list is also very simple, with barely any additives. Most parents want to be familiar with the ingredients they're feeding their children — and with these Heinz Zoodles, it's all common items.

Campbell's has 12 variations on SpaghettiOs, however, some are just different pasta shapes with the same sauce. As far as flavors go, there are about four options to choose from. You'd think with that selection, each one would be able to stand strong on its own. However, it looks like one of the four, SpaghettiOs Spicy Original, is not so beloved.

These SpaghettiOs are basically the original can with Frank's Hot Sauce added in. For spice lovers, this may be a great option. However, there are many negative comments in the reviews about this variation. Consumers on both Amazon and Acme share that the pasta has a chemical or metallic-like taste that makes the product less enjoyable — so much so that it even over-rides the spicy flavor of the Frank's Hot Sauce.

One Amazon reviewer coined the Spicy Original as being "the nastiest stuff on earth". Another reviewer wrote, "The flavor was awful, barely edible. They actually ended upset[ting] my stomach afterward which is not typical for me. I will never buy them again." Nutritionally, the Spicy Original is almost the same as the Original, with only a few insignificant differences. With no nutrition or taste appeal, we'd rather stick to the original SpaghettiOs.

If you're looking for a slightly different variation on your average can of pasta, Skyline Chili & Spaghetti might just be your cup of noodles. It is made with a spaghetti noodle base, but the chili is the true star of the show. Skyline Chili claims to have a unique family recipe that makes the chili addictive and delicious. If you like your canned pasta to be packed with flavor and ingredients, this option is worth trying.

On Amazon, this product has a 4-star rating. Based on the reviews, it looks like many of the buyers are fans of this chili's origins — Skyline Chili restaurants. These restaurants are only located in Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. For people who have moved away from one of those states, the canned versions of the chili and spaghetti is a saving grace. One Cincinnati native shared on Amazon, "I recently move[d] out of Cincinnati and I thought I would never be able to get Skyline again. I was so glad when I saw this for sale, it was ordered before I knew it." Another reviewer endearingly called the chili an "old and spectacular friend I love." It's clear that people who have had this chili simply can't go without it!

Hearts of palm have been having a moment lately, growing in popularity thanks to TikTok. They come from palm trees and people like to experiment with preparing them in many different ways. The brand Jego got a bit creative with "Spalmghetti," aka spaghetti made from hearts of palm.

These cans only contain noodles and aren't covered in a sauce. This is a great option for people who love the convenience of canned noodles but have a preferred sauce they like to use. It's also a healthy option, since it is made entirely from a vegetable. There are only 80 calories per can, and most of the nutrients are fiber. Hearts of palm also contain all nine essential amino acids, which can help the body in tissue recovery, immune function, and energy. Spalmghetti would make a nutritious meal when paired with your protein of choice and your favorite sauce.

The Amazon ratings for Spalmghetti are high, with a 4-star average. One of the reviewers gushes, "Has a wonderful texture ... never got mushy. Makes an amazing substitute for traditional noodles. No carbs, less fat, and extra nutrition. My entire family is hooked on these!" Other reviewers mention these noodles taste better than popular vegetable noodle variations like zoodles. People also mention the neutral taste goes well with any type of sauce, making these noodles very versatile.