The Salty Dough Review: Pasta of the Month Clubs

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Which Pasta Club is the Best?

Have you ever thought about what your favorite pasta shape is? Are you a fan of long, flat linguine? Maybe you like bowtie pasta (farfalle) and its fun little ridges. Or, you might be a shell pasta (conchiglie) fan for the amount of sauce you can get in one bite. Whether you're a home chef trying to make restaurant-quality carbonara, or you're just trying to get a taste of this Italian classic, we get it.

So, what is a pasta club? Well, it's exactly like other subscription clubs (like cupcakes or makeup), where you'll get pasta delivered to your door each month. Plus, if you know a home chef in your life who needs noodles ASAP, most sites offer a range of prepaid subscription boxes that let you send a pasta subscription as a gift. It's a great way to try different kinds of pasta from around the world, support artisanal chefs, and explore new shapes and flavors of your favorite food item.

If you're a penne fan, or looking for some good-old-fashioned spaghetti, pasta is a classic meal that comes in so many shapes and sizes that you can spend years trying new ones and still find more shapes (rotini, fettuccine, or ravioli, anyone?). While most of us think of Italy when we think of our favorite pasta dishes, there's evidence that the Etruscans made pasta back in 400 BCE.

Food historians believe that pasta arrived in Italy through trade in the Mediterranean and began its widespread popularity in the 13th century. From there, it became a country classic with pasta dishes like macaroni, ravioli, gnocchi, and vermicelli showing up across Italy. Today, it's estimated that Italians eat over 60 lb. of pasta per person per year.

So, what's the difference between high-end pasta versus the stuff you get at the grocery store? Well, for those of you who've had homemade pasta, you already know: the flavors, the freshness, and the texture of the pasta are beyond amazing when you compare it to the shelf-stable boxes you find at your local supermarket. If you want that restaurant-quality flavor in your home-cooked pasta dishes, grabbing a subscription to a pasta club is one of the best ways to get artisanal, top-quality noodles delivered right to your door.

If you're worried about dietary restrictions, don't be. Most pasta clubs offer options for gluten-free, so that those who are unable to eat gluten can still enjoy the delights of a home-cooked pasta dish. Whether you want packs with just pasta or one that helps you out with extra seasoning, sauce, and sometimes cheese too (to really get your inner chef going), there's a pasta club out there to fulfill your Italian dinner craving.

If you're ready to have your friends asking to come to your place for dinner instead of the local Olive Garden, but you don't know which vendor to choose, don't worry. Here are some factors that can help you find the best pasta club for your home chef needs:

• Cost. Subscription clubs are usually priced based on frequency. So, depending on how long you plan to get pasta, you might pay a different overall cost. Some sites let you prepay too, so make sure you check out the month-to-month value versus the prepaid totals. Also, make sure that you get enough pasta to make the price make sense. You want at least a few meals out of your box (or a lot of extras) to make it worth it. Don't forget to factor in any shipping fees, too.
• Variety. There are tons of pasta types, shapes, and flavors out there - it can be hard to choose. Make sure you pick a vendor that doesn't limit your choices in each shipment. Some sites may have much more pasta to choose from, and these one-stop shops are ideal if you're an adventurous eater. Make sure they have the kind of pasta you're craving and plenty of options to keep your subscription from being repetitive.
• Reputation. Be sure to check out your chosen pasta club on third-party review sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. Check the verified reviews to see what pasta lovers just like you have to say about your chosen site. Look for comments on flavor, customer service, and refunds, to make sure you get the experience you deserve.

To help you find the best way to bring your home chef dreams to life, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top pasta clubs available today. Now you can enjoy your favorite noodles year-round and know there's always more on the way. Bon appetit!