What Italian items are worth buying in bulk in the UK?

Dry pasta, rice (Carnaroli/Arborio), passata/tinned tomatoes, tuna in olive oil, dried beans, coffee, and olive oil in tins offer reliable savings when bought in multi-packs or large formats.

How do I store bulk items in a small flat?

Decant into airtight containers or zip bags, keep away from heat and light, and label with open dates. For oil, choose tins and pour into a small dark bottle for daily use.

Is it safe to buy passata or tomatoes in multi-packs?

Yes—unopened bottles/cans keep for many months. After opening, refrigerate and use promptly; or choose 200–400 g formats if you cook for one.

LIFESTYLE

Save Money in the UK: Buy Italian Staples in Bulk

Published: October 4, 2025•By Resinaro Team

New city, new prices—same appetite. If you miss Italy's cupboard comfort but live with a tight budget or a tiny kitchen, this guide is for you. Below you'll find bulk items that actually save money, realistic storage tips for small flats, and links to formats that work for solos, couples or house-shares. Think of this as advice from a friend who's already moved, tested brands, and learned where not to waste a pound.

What to buy in bulk (smart formats that won't spoil)

1) Bronze-cut pasta: 6–12 pack

Pasta is the inflation-proof friend that always shows up. Buying a 6–12 pack of quality bronze-cut shapes saves money and lifts your weekday food from "fine" to "proper".

Short shape: Rummo rigatoni multi-pack · Long shape: De Cecco spaghetti multi-pack

2) Carnaroli/Arborio rice: 2–5 kg

Buy once, stir often. Large bags reduce price per portion and keep for months in an airtight tub.

Carnaroli 5 kg · Arborio 5 kg

3) Passata / tinned tomatoes: cases & smaller bottles

Multi-packs are cheaper; for solo cooks, choose smaller bottles (200–400 g) so none goes to waste.

Mutti passata multi-pack · San Marzano case (treat)

4) Extra-virgin olive oil: 3–5 L tin + small dark bottle

Tins give the best €/L. Decant into a dark 250–500 ml bottle for everyday use and store the tin cool and away from light.

3–5 L EVOO tins · Dark pourer bottle

5) Tuna in olive oil: 6–12 tins

Shelf-stable protein that tastes like home and rescues late-night dinners.

Rio Mare multi-pack · ASdoMAR multi-pack

6) Coffee for moka: 6-pack tins or 1 kg bags

If you brew with a moka, stick to moka grind for balanced flavour. Bulk saves 15–30% vs single tins.

Illy Classico (moka) multi-pack · Lavazza Rossa (moka) 6-pack

7) Cannellini/borlotti & lentils: trays or 500 g x 6

Rotate between tins (ready in 2 minutes) and dry (cheaper per portion). Batch-cook, then freeze in flat bags if you've got a freezer corner.

Cannellini tray · Borlotti tray · Dry lentils 500 g x 6

Storage tips for small kitchens (no pantry? no problem)

Decant & label: Use airtight tubs or zip bags; add the open date. Keeps pasta crisp and rice dry.
Hide in plain sight: Slide flat storage boxes under the bed/sofa; use wardrobe top shelves for sealed goods.
Oil strategy: Keep tins cool and dark. Pour 1–2 weeks' worth into a dark glass bottle and store the tin away from light.
Single-serve tomatoes: If you cook for one, smaller bottles stop waste—and cost less than binning half a jar.
Clip & seal: Cheap bag clips make a bigger difference than you think.

Handy gear: airtight container sets · bag clips · dark oil bottle

How to know if it's a good deal (quick price targets)

Prices move, so think in per-kg or per-litre terms:

Pasta (bronze-cut): aim ≤ £2.00/kg on multi-packs.
Carnaroli/Arborio: ≤ £3.50/kg on 5 kg bags.
Passata/tomatoes: ≤ £1.20 per 400 g can or equivalent.
EVOO (tin): £6–£9/L depending on origin/IGP.
Tuna in olive oil: ~£1.10–£1.60 per 80–100 g tin in 6–12 packs.
Coffee (moka): compare by 100 g; multi-pack tins usually save 15–30%.

Tip: add items to a wish-list and watch during sales; subscribe & save can help if you truly use it monthly—otherwise skip.

10–15 minute meals from your bulk stash

Rigatoni al tonno

Warm EVOO + garlic, add a spoon of passata and chilli. Toss with rigatoni and tuna. Finish with good oil.

Carnaroli "quick risotto"

Toast rice in EVOO, add hot water/stock gradually, finish with herbs and lemon zest. Pantry luxury, no fuss.

Pasta e fagioli (fast)

Cannellini + passata + rosemary + pasta shapes in one pot. Salt, pepper, and a thread of EVOO at the end.

Save even more: split bulk with friends

Make a small WhatsApp group with housemates or neighbours. Bulk packs become cheaper and you won't drown in tins. Keep a shared note with who took what and the per-unit price.

Buy one EVOO tin; split into labelled bottles.
Share a 12-pack of tomatoes; each person takes 3–4.
Rotate: one person orders this month, another next month.