Italian Pantry Essentials for Perfect Pasta

Stock these 15 pantry staples and you can make dozens of authentic pasta dishes anytime without a trip to the store. **The Must-Haves:** 1. Dried spaghetti (always have 2–3 boxes) 2. Penne rigate (your tube pasta for baked dishes) 3. San Marzano canned tomatoes (whole, not diced) 4. Extra-virgin olive oil (good quality for finishing) 5. Garlic (fresh, always) 6. Parmigiano-Reggiano (real DOP, not the green can) 7. Pecorino Romano 8. Dried red chili flakes (peperoncino) 9. Canned anchovies or anchovy paste 10. Capers 11. Olives (Kalamata or Castelvetrano) 12. Dried oregano 13. Panko or Italian breadcrumbs 14. Tomato paste (tube form lasts longer) 15. Good salt (kosher or sea salt) **Nice to Have:** Pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil (grow a plant!), pancetta or guanciale. **Chef Luca’s Note:** With just spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and Pecorino, you can make Aglio e Olio — one of the best pasta dishes ever created. A well-stocked pantry means you’re never more than 15 minutes from a great dinner.