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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
Finding gluten-free alternatives to anything traditionally made with wheat can be tough, but when it comes to pasta look no further than Cappello's Almond Flour Fettuccine. It checks all of our boxes in terms of texture and prep. And the Le Venezian Fettucce tastes the most like traditional wheat noodles.
When following a gluten-free diet, pasta may be one of the things you miss the most. But there are plenty of gluten-free pasta offerings on the market today so you don't have to go without this meal staple. If zucchini noodles just aren’t cutting it for you, try one of the options on this list. They’re not only gluten-free—they’re also delicious. And some are even suitable for other lifestyles, like paleo, keto, and vegan, too.
Here, our list of the best gluten-free pastas to fit your needs.
Best Overall: Cappello’s Almond Flour Fettuccine
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Courtesy of Amazon
Texture is similar to regular pasta
Also compatible with paleo diets
Ready to eat in 90 seconds
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Delish also picked Cappello’s Almond Flour Fettuccine.
What do buyers say? 87% of nearly 900 Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The owners of Capello’s set out on a mission to create pasta that “could be enjoyed by all discerning pasta lovers, regardless of dietary restriction” and they found their answer in one main ingredient: almond flour. Capello’s pasta combines almond flour with a handful of other recognizable ingredients—cage-free eggs, tapioca flour, and sea salt—to create a gluten-free, grain-free pasta that is beloved by customers.
Many of these customers give this fettuccine top marks for its taste and texture, which they say could go head to head with any regular semolina wheat pasta—but is suitable for more restrictive diets. In addition to fettuccine, Cappello’s also offers spaghetti, lasagna sheets, and gnocchi, in a regular or sweet potato version.
Unlike the other dry pastas on this list, Capello’s, which feels the closest to homemade pasta, is kept frozen until you’re ready to eat it. But the good thing about this that many people also highlight: Once you put it in boiling water, it’s ready to go in 90 seconds.
Price at time of publish: $10.49
Base Ingredient: Almond flour | Net Weight: 9 ounces | Protein: 6 grams per serving | Fiber: 3 grams per serving
“For me, naturally I would gravitate toward gluten-free pastas made with things I can recognize, chickpeas, fava, lentils—I tend to opt for something I’d eat in general,” — Meryl Feinstein, Founder of Pasta Social Club
Best Tasting: Le Veneziane Italian Fettucce
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Courtesy of Amazon
Taste and texture very close to pasta made from semolina flour
Finished pasta comes out tender, not starchy
Doesn't lose its texture when reheated
Low on fiber
Taste is a subjective measure, so it’s difficult to definitively assign this superlative to just one of the pastas on this list, especially since they all taste good. But if you’re looking for a gluten-free pasta that’s as close to the “real thing” as you can get, the Le Venezian Fettucce will not disappoint.
It’s made from just one major ingredient, 100 percent Italian corn, and the taste and texture are right on par with pasta made from semolina flour, according to many happy customers. A 0.5-cup of dry pasta, which will get you about 1 cup of cooked pasta, has 45 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber.
Price at time of publish: $18.39
Base Ingredient: Italian corn | Net Weight: 8.8 ounces | Protein: 4 grams per serving | Fiber: 1 gram per serving
Best Pre-Cooked: Palmini Hearts of Palm Pasta
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to prep
Also low-carb, sugar-free, and vegan
Very mild hearts of palm flavor
Retains texture after cooking
Pricey
Only one to two servings per container
Featured on Shark Tank, this gluten-free pasta alternative has garnered quite the buzz—and for good reason. This unique "pasta" is actually made out of hearts of palm, a thick white vegetable taken from the core of certain species of palm trees, and comes already cooked. All you have to do to prepare Palmini is rinse the "noodles" in water and add your favorite pasta sauce or incorporate it into your favorite recipe. Palmini comes in linguini-style noodles or lasagna sheets.
Right out of the can (or packet), Palmini will taste more like a vegetable, but after rinsing, your options are endless for adding flavors and transforming this spiral into whatever tasty dish you want. Customers also like that it retains its texture and doesn't turn mushy after cooking and adding sauces to it. Palmini is also vegan, sugar-free, and low-carb so it works for a variety of dietary needs.
Price at time of publish: $6.43
Base Ingredient: Hearts of palm | Net Weight: 14 ounces | Protein: 1 gram per serving | Fiber: 2 grams per serving
Best Brown Rice: Jovial Farfalle Gluten-Free Pasta
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Courtesy of Amazon
Short ingredient list
Allergen friendly
Large variety of shapes available
On the pricier side
Whether your go-to pasta shape is farfalle (the bowties are so fun!), shells, spaghetti, fusilli, or something else, Jovial likely offers it and does so with a gluten-free certification. It’s also a great choice for those who have other allergies, as this pasta is free from the top eight allergens (milk, soy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, eggs, peanuts). And as if that’s not enough, it’s also USDA-certified organic and Non-GMO Project verified. There are no additives, and the only ingredients are brown rice and water.
The pasta is crafted in Italy, using “time-honored techniques like pressing through bronze dies and slowly drying at low temperatures to preserve the enjoyable taste and texture of true Italian pasta,” according to the manufacturer.
Price at time of publish: $4.69
Base Ingredient: Brown rice | Net Weight: 12 ounces | Protein: 5 grams per serving | Fiber: 2 grams per serving
Best Spaghetti: Pastene Gluten Free Spaghetti
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Courtesy of Amazon
Packed with nutrients like protein and fiber
No cooking adjustments necessary
Different shapes available
On the pricier side
Pastene may be best known for its canned tomato products, but what goes best with tomato sauce? Pasta. And Pastene also has a wide variety of pastas available, including a gluten-free variety. Its gluten-free spaghetti is made from corn, rice, and quinoa, enriching the pasta with plenty of protein and fiber (15 percent of the recommended daily value!). If you like their spaghetti, make sure to check out their other gluten-free offering, penne rigate, in dishes in which a smaller pasta shape is desirable. Pastene notes you can cook their gluten-free pasta exactly as you would their traditional pastas.
Price at time of publish: $5.47
Base Ingredient: Corn flour, rice flour, quinoa | Net Weight: 12 ounces | Protein: 4 grams per serving | Fiber: 4 grams per serving
"When you’re working with a gluten-free flour blend or naturally gluten-free flour, you don’t have that gluten network to help strengthen and bind the dough together, so a lot of gluten-free flour blends and boxes rely more heavily on starch and other binding products like gums. Because of all that starch, I find that when you cook gluten-free pastas, it can get a little chewier," — Meryl Feinstein, Founder of Pasta Social Club
Best High-Protein: Banza Chickpea Pasta
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Courtesy of Amazon
Pleasant flavor
High-protein
Holds up well to sauces and dressings
Some report slightly grainy texture
Banza’s Chickpea Pasta, which is made from a combination of chickpeas, tapioca, and pea protein, isn’t only gluten-free, but it’s also high in protein and fiber, something that some of the other options on this list are missing.
Reviewers describe the texture of the pasta as “thicker” and “al dente” and claim that if you serve it to your gluten-loving friends without telling them, they’ll never be able to taste the difference. And since it’s a heartier pasta, it also holds up well in the refrigerator, so it’s an ideal option for meal prepping.
Price at time of publish: $3.18
Base Ingredient: Chickpeas | Net Weight: 8 ounces | Protein: 13 grams per serving | Fiber: 5 grams per serving
Best Low-Carb: Thrive Market Wonder Noodles
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Courtesy of Thrive Market
Suitable for vegan and paleo diets
Easy and quick to prep
Very versatile for noddle-based recipes
Slightly fishy smell when fresh out of package
If you need a gluten-free pasta that fits into a keto or low-carb lifestyle, the Thrive Market Wonder Noodles, or Shirataki noodles, are your best bet. They’re made from glucomannan, which is a fiber that comes from the root of the Asian konjac yam.
While you can’t really compare their taste and texture to semolina pasta—they tend to pick up the flavor of whatever you put on them—wonder noodles offer a great alternative to higher-carb options. People rave about how filling these are.
They’re also suitable for vegan and paleo lifestyles. And, unlike other gluten-free pasta, they don’t require any cooking—just wash and rinse and they’re ready to go, making them a perfect quick weeknight meal.
Price at time of publish: $3.79
Base Ingredient: Konjac flour | Net Weight: 7 ounces | Protein: 0 grams per serving | Fiber: 2 grams per serving
Best Allergen-Free: Cybele's Free to Eat Gluten Free & Grain Free Pasta
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Courtesy of Amazon
Kid-friendly
Allergen friendly
Large variety of shapes/colors available
On the pricier side
It’s not always easy to find allergen-friendly products, especially ones that seem trendy and current, but Cybele’s Free to Eat pasta manages to do just that. Its pasta is free from dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish—perfect for those with sensitivities/allergies or cooking for someone who cannot consume traditional pasta.
Yes, Cybele’s has the traditional pasta shapes you need for all your culinary needs (rotini, shells, elbows, penne, and more), but most intriguingly, they also offer green, red, orange, and purple pastas. And that color is not coming from food coloring: “Our pastas are made with only vegetables and lentils—that’s it! The pasta even packs more than a full serving of veggies into each bowl,” according to the company’s website. So if you purchase a box of the “Superfood Orange” pasta, it consists of red lentils, pumpkin, and butternut squash. Or the “Superfood Green” pasta contains green lentils, kale, broccoli, and spinach. This not only makes it extra flavorful and unique, but it’s a great option for picky eaters and any kids who may be more drawn to a fun colored pasta. We like this variety pack, so you’re able to try several different colors of rotini and discover which is your favorite.
(Nutritionals vary based on variety, these are based on the superfood green rotini)
Price at time of publish: $31.26
Base Ingredient: Green lentils | Net Weight: 8 ounces | Protein: 15 grams per serving | Fiber: 3 grams per serving
If you want a delicious, real-tasting alternative for virtually any type of lifestyle, try the Cappello’s Almond Flour Fettuccine. If you’re looking for higher-protein options, the Banza Chickpea Pasta and Cybele's Free to Eat Gluten Free & Grain Free Pasta are excellent choices.
What to Look for When Buying Gluten-Free Pasta
Base Ingredient(s)
"Gluten is a key ingredient in making pasta; it’s what makes the dough elastic and allows it to stretch. That’s why you knead pasta dough for so long," says Meryl Feinstein, Founder of Pasta Social Club. Today, there are countless options for gluten-free pasta available on the market, many of them creative, to suit your dietary needs and tastes while still mimicking what we all love about the real thing.
Common gluten-free pastas you'll find are made of one or a blend of a few alternative ingredients. These could either be grain-based, such as rice, corn, buckwheat, and quinoa; or they could be grain-free, such as chickpea, lentil, black bean, mung bean, potato, and more. One type of gluten-free pasta, shirataki noodles, is even made up of glucomannan, a fiber sourced from the root of the Asian konjac yam.
Flavor and Texture
One thing to note is that while some of the gluten-free pastas mentioned above are close to neutral in flavor (meaning they'll probably work with virtually any sauce), others are more distinct-tasting (e.g., chickpea and buckwheat), and you'll have to lean into those flavors and experiment to see what sauces and spices work with them.
You'll also want to note which ones turn mushy or gummy if overcooked a minute too long, which stand up to thicker or chunkier sauces, and if having the same bite and mouthfeel of wheat pasta is important, which ones come closest to that.
"Gluten-free pastas can be mushier, so it’s all about where’s the intersection of texture and taste that you like most," Feinstein says. "To also mask any unwanted flavors, I usually go bold and choose something with texture, like a meat sauce or a tomato sauce. [Something that has] bits and pieces you can scoop up so you get a variety of textures, so if the pasta is on the mushier side, you’re not focused on that."
FAQs
What is gluten-free pasta made of?
All gluten-free pastas are different. Many are made with a combination of gluten-free grains, like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, corn, millet, and/or amaranth. Some are made with legumes, like chickpeas or lentils. You can also find gluten-free pastas made with almond flour or hearts of palm.
Does gluten-free pasta have carbs?
Many gluten-free pastas are still high in carbs, but the exact number will depend on what the pasta is made from. For example, the Thrive Market Organic Brown Rice Penne has 43 grams of carbs per serving, while the Palmini Hearts of Palm Linguine has 4 grams of carbs per serving.
Is chickpea pasta gluten-free?
Most chickpea pasta is gluten-free, but don’t just assume without checking the label. Some chickpea-based pastas have additional ingredients that may contain gluten.
Is whole-wheat pasta gluten-free?
No, whole-wheat pasta is made of wheat, which is a gluten-containing grain. While whole-wheat pasta may be an alternative to white pasta, due to its higher fiber content, it doesn’t fit into a gluten-free diet.
How do you cook gluten-free pasta?
Most gluten-free pasta is cooked the same way as white pasta—in boiling water for about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the pasta type. But some gluten-free pastas differ. For example, the Cappello’s Almond Flour Fettuccine comes frozen and only needs to sit for a few minutes in hot water.
Each pasta will have the directions written out on the box. It’s especially important to follow these cooking instructions, as gluten-free pastas can overcook quickly, becoming mushy and sticky. Feinstein says they also usually cook faster, so keeping a close eye while boiling and tasting it earlier than the box says is key.
Is gluten-free pasta keto?
Most gluten-free pastas are not keto, since they’re still high in carbs. There are some gluten-free pastas that may be keto-friendly, but make sure you check the ingredient labels and nutrition facts for net carb counts.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best gluten-free pastas on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, texture, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and food and beverage-testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the healthiest, best-tasting options and ingredients across all food and drink categories.
Sources
- Meryl Feinstein, Founder of Pasta Social Club
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