Pasta and noodles at Australian supermarkets: comparing varieties and value

Pasta and noodles are among the cheapest calories available

Dried pasta and noodles are consistently among the lowest cost-per-serve carbohydrate options at Australian supermarkets. Getting the comparison right — across varieties, brands and pack sizes — keeps a key pantry staple as affordable as possible.

Dried pasta: where store-brand wins clearly

For most Australian cooking, the difference between store-brand dried pasta and premium Italian brands is indistinguishable once cooked in a sauce. The price per 100 g difference between a store-brand spaghetti and a premium branded equivalent can be significant — on a staple you may buy every week, this adds up.

What to compare: Price per 100 g is the right basis. Pack sizes vary between 375 g, 500 g and 1 kg — the 500 g format is the most common, but 1 kg bags where available offer a lower per-100 g price.

Shape matters less than you think for cost. Spaghetti, penne and fusilli are all similarly priced per 100 g at the store-brand level. Specialty shapes (orecchiette, rigatoni, casarecce) carry a small premium in branded versions but are available at store-brand prices in the mainstream range at both Woolworths and Coles.

Rice noodles and Asian-style noodles

Rice noodles, glass noodles (bean thread), udon and soba are widely available at Australian supermarkets — both in the mainstream pasta aisle and in the international foods section. The international foods aisle is often significantly cheaper per 100 g for these varieties.

Rice noodles. Available in various widths (thin vermicelli, medium, wide). Cheap per 100 g and a good gluten-free alternative to wheat pasta for most applications.

Egg noodles. Medium to high cost per 100 g compared with rice noodles or pasta. Used in stir-fries and noodle soups. The international aisle typically has a wider range and lower prices than the mainstream pasta section.

Soba noodles. Made from buckwheat, with a distinctive earthy flavour. More expensive per 100 g than standard noodles and pasta. Worth buying if you use them specifically; not worth substituting for plain noodles on cost grounds.

Instant noodles: cheap but context-dependent

Instant noodle packets (Maggi, Indomie and similar) are among the cheapest food items by calorie available at Australian supermarkets. They are useful as a budget emergency meal or a quick base for a more substantial dish — adding an egg, frozen vegetables and a protein significantly improves both nutrition and satiety at minimal extra cost.

For everyday meals, dried pasta or rice noodles without flavour sachets are more versatile and only marginally more expensive per serve.

Where to compare before buying

Pasta and noodle prices vary between Coles and Woolworths on both branded and store-brand lines. Run a search on TrolleyChecker for the specific variety and brand you use before a pantry restock — particularly for branded pasta where half-price promotions rotate regularly.

The international foods aisle and the main pasta aisle are both worth checking in store, as the same style of noodle sometimes appears in both at very different prices.