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Gluten-Free alternatives to pasta?

DancingAppy
DancingAppy Posts: 12 Member
edited October 7 in Social Groups
I can give up bread, crackers, etc with no problems, but pasta is the hardest. Does anyone have any good alternatives? I have come across any GF pastas.

Replies

  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    There are lots of rice-based pastas around. There are also corn based ones and quinoa/corn based ones.

    If you are completely grain free or looking for some other options, the best place to shop is the Asian grocer. Bean thread noodles, shiritaki noodles, sweet potato noodles, tapioca or arrowroot noodles, etc.

    Other possibilities are kelp or seaweed noodles at your natural food store, spiralized vegetables, thin-sliced zucchini, or spaghetti squash.

    Most often, when I am making rice-based pasta for my son, I make a baked potato for myself and put the sauce on that. I am grain-free.

    Pam
  • DancingAppy
    DancingAppy Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestions! I know the Asian grocer in my town has closed its doors but I think there is another one a few towns over.

    I like the potato idea, I love potatoes. Also want to try the quinoa/corn ones too.
  • LainMac
    LainMac Posts: 412 Member
    GF son likes the corn/quiona ones. Me not so much. I like the brown rice Tykiyada ones.
  • mehaugen
    mehaugen Posts: 210 Member
    I am grain free so I enjoy Shirataki, spaghetti squash, and just this morning I found a recipe for flax pasta here: http://realsustenance.com/flax-pasta-paleo-glutengraincornsoydairy-free/
  • gfchica
    gfchica Posts: 54 Member
    I like the tinkyada brand as well as trader joe's. Both are brown rice pastas. I also like asian rice noodles.
  • Drunkadelic
    Drunkadelic Posts: 948 Member
    I love spaghetti squash, almost more than actual pasta!
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Looks like there are some good recipes on that site. Thanks.

    Pam
    I am grain free so I enjoy Shirataki, spaghetti squash, and just this morning I found a recipe for flax pasta here: http://realsustenance.com/flax-pasta-paleo-glutengraincornsoydairy-free/
  • jayliospecky
    jayliospecky Posts: 25,022 Member
    Don't know what your usual stores are; our local grocery stores have started carrying several GF pastas, mostly rice-based ones. We also have a health food store that sells a wide variety of GF products. I've tried some corn pastas lately that I prefer over the rice ones, actually. I prefer their texture.
  • metisgirl
    metisgirl Posts: 86 Member
    Try the Shirataki noodles....No cholesterol, No trans fat, Vegan, Gluten Free, Very very low calorie and carbohydrate content...great for ppl who are hungry all the time and Diabetics...They R also called the miracle noodles.....They R a great noodle substitute by hungry Girl...Can be used in soups, stir fry's, casseroles and pasta dishes.....Most of all GUILT FREE.....
  • karenwill2
    karenwill2 Posts: 604 Member
    In love my rice pasta. Giving it up mostly for calories as I have ton kick it in to high gear.....but I use it to make spaghetti, lasagna, mac and cheese, pasta salad. EVERYTHING!
  • spinal77
    spinal77 Posts: 10 Member
    The Tinkyada rice ones are the best, honestly. Just make sure you follow the cooking instructions on the back to the letter.
  • er1nya
    er1nya Posts: 87
    Hey guys,

    I just tried Trader Joe's Brown Rice Pasta for the first time last night. It was alright last night, but when I reheated the leftovers for lunch this morning they were very sticky- and kind of soggy. Has anyone else run into this problem?
  • flyawaybyebye
    flyawaybyebye Posts: 250
    Trader Joe's has corn pasta that tastes really, really good. My parents didn't notice the difference from regular pasta. And we're Italian! :)
  • DancingAppy
    DancingAppy Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks guys! I'll have to check out the closest Trader Joe's (about 30 minutes).

    Are the Tinkyada rice noodles at TJ's? Or Asian markets? The grocery stores near me are the main ones, ie Albertson's, Von's, etc.
  • rotnkat
    rotnkat Posts: 393 Member
    I love the Ancient Harvest pastas!!!! They are made with quinoa (sp) and corn and my family can't even tell the difference.

    Anita
  • JackLeaMason
    JackLeaMason Posts: 22 Member
    I have been using chick peas with pasta sauces and don't miss the noodles. Just simmer them in your favorite pasta sauce and use a spoon instead of a fork the tend to roll around a bit I did a batch in peppadew pepper sauce and it was awesome. I plan to start using the dried legumes instead of the canned ones and cook them in a slow cooker to draw up more flavor from the pasta sauces. I will post some recipes when perfected.
  • momof8munchkins
    momof8munchkins Posts: 1,167 Member
    I am grain free so I go for spaghetti squash, sauteed zucchini strips,shredded cabbage or french green beans in place of pastas.. for my gluten free kids- once in a while I fix them rice noodles or mac and cheese with Quinoa brand shells..it is made from corn and quinoa..tastes really good.
  • chocciechip
    chocciechip Posts: 207 Member
    most supermarkets in the UK have gluten free pastas. they've come on leaps and bounds in the last 2 years, I often use rice noodles as well from asian supermarkets :-) or else I shred lettuce and have it with bolognese sauce and the like. It's way lower in calories!
  • coronalime
    coronalime Posts: 583 Member
    I just had "Slim Pasta" which is a tofu flour mix noodle. actually pretty good and only 25 calories for a serving. Found it at the Natural Supermarket Earth Fare which is like a Whole Foods
  • Gosser
    Gosser Posts: 178 Member
    Buckwheat pasta (be warned, its so good it's addictive!)
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Tell me about preparing buckwheat pasta. I have only found it once, and when I cooked it (no directions) it just all stuck together in a clump. Do you need to rinse it? How long do you cook for? I still have a bit on my counter.

    Pam
    Buckwheat pasta (be warned, its so good it's addictive!)
  • Gosser
    Gosser Posts: 178 Member
    I haven't got any at the moment to check the packet but I think I am right in saying don't cook in the microwave and only cook for about 6-8 minutes

    You can also get 100% buckwheat noodles (check the packet says 100%)
  • Gosser
    Gosser Posts: 178 Member
    Oops, forgot to say....

    Buckwheat pasta should be rinsed in warm water AFTER cooking to stop it turning into a sticky blob
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Thanks! will give it another try!

    Pam
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Tinkyada is the best brand IMO for gluten free pasta. But I actually like some of the whole grain rices. Black purple or red rice, wild rice or jasmin. Polenta is a super alternative for pasta with sauce. Be careful of buckwheat or soba pasta as most brands are made with wheat also and not gluten free.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Also have you tried miracle noodles. They are great with peanut sauce or curry.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    I don't have it very often, but pastas made out of quinoa or a combination of quinoa/rice are pretty good. You just have to make sure not to overcook them or they WILL turn to mush.
    Anyway, brown rice and quinoa are my other "starch" options for sides if I feel like I need something pasta-like, although I usually prefer a baked potato since I get plenty of fiber from other sources.
  • mandy_lynn
    mandy_lynn Posts: 165 Member
    I love corn pasta. I think it has a better texture and flavor over the brown rice pasta.
  • gillybumbler
    gillybumbler Posts: 136
    DeBoles makes excellent GF pasta. I also love Lundberg macaroni noodles. Lundberg even holds up well for leftovers. Tinkyada is good when you first cook it, but doesn't taste well the next day.
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