Beef Pasta Bake

Barcode 5010482596453

Yes — Beef Pasta Bake is ultra-processed.

The dish contains modified starch and seasoning, which are industrially processed ingredients/additive mixes used to alter texture and enhance flavor, so it is classified as ultra-processed according to NOVA.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers

OK

beef

Muscle meat from cattle, with 32% proportion mentioned in the label.
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

chopped tomatoes

Tomatoes that have been chopped, a basic vegetable ingredient used in cooking.
OK

egg pasta

Pasta made with durum wheat semolina and water, enriched with eggs in the dough.
OK

pasteurized liquid whole egg

Liquid whole egg that has been pasteurized for safety, ready to use in cooking.
OK

egg

Animal protein product from birds, commonly used as a basic ingredient in many foods.
OK

tomato purée

A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
UPF

modified starch

Starch that has been chemically or physically modified to alter its thickening, texture, or stability properties; commonly used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods.
OK

dried skimmed milk

Dried skimmed milk is powdered milk with fat removed, used as a dairy ingredient to provide protein and calcium.
OK

cheddar cheese

A traditional cheese produced from cow's milk; a basic dairy product not considered ultra-processed.
OK

onion

A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
OK

pork belly

A cut of pork from the belly area, rich in fat, commonly used for roasting, frying, or curing. It is a basic single-ingredient animal protein/fat cut.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
UPF

sodium gluconate

Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid, used as a food additive for sequestration of metals and as a flavoring agent carrier.
UPF

potassium nitrite

Potassium nitrite is a curing salt used to preserve and fix color in processed meats; it is an inorganic additive obtained through industrial processing.
OK

red leicester cheese (30%)

A traditional British cheddar-style cheese originating from Leicestershire; a semi-hard cheese with a distinct orange-red rind and creamy, tangy flavor.
OK

cheese

Dairy product made from milk; typically aged and salted.
OK

dried yeast

Dehydrated yeast used as a leavening agent or flavoring in baking and fermentation.
OK

beef stock

A basic liquid made from simmered beef bones and meat to provide savory flavor; may be used as a soup base or cooking liquid.
OK

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
OK

black pepper

A common spice made from dried peppercorns of the Piper nigrum plant, used to add pungent heat and aroma to dishes.
UPF

seasoning

A generic blend of salt, spices, herbs, and may include flavor enhancers for taste enhancement.
OK

paprika

A ground spice made from dried red peppers (Capsicum species), used for color and flavor in many cuisines.
OK

basil

A leafy herb with a sweet, peppery aroma used fresh or dried to season sauces, pizzas, and Mediterranean dishes.
OK

oregano

A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
OK

parsley

A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.

Common questions about Beef Pasta Bake

Is Beef Pasta Bake ultra-processed?

Yes — Beef Pasta Bake is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The dish contains modified starch and seasoning, which are industrially processed ingredients/additive mixes used to alter texture and enhance flavor, so it is classified as ultra-processed according to NOVA.

Which ingredients in Beef Pasta Bake are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Beef Pasta Bake as ultra-processed markers: modified starch, sodium gluconate, potassium nitrite, seasoning. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.