The Best Gluten-Free Pastas In 2022
Going gluten-free is no longer limited to those with celiac disease — a condition that gives people serious health problems when they ingest gluten — or even restricted to people with less severe gluten sensitivities. Now, those without a medical need to avoid gluten can take up a gluten-free diet to try to maintain a healthier lifestyle. It's important to note that, per Harvard University, there's no proof that gluten-free diets are always healthier for people who don't have some kind of gluten intolerance.
Nevertheless, dieters can seek out gluten-free versions of bread, cereal, pastries, flour tortillas, crackers, and more, explains Celiac.org. They can avoid ingredients like barley, rye, or wheat that contain gluten. Thanks to the rise of the gluten-free diet, we have more gluten-free products to choose from at the grocery store. Many of those products are types of pasta.
Regular pasta is not gluten-free — noodles are usually made with wheat flour, explains Healthline. Gluten-free alternatives utilize other ingredients to replicate the taste and texture of normal pasta. Rice and tapioca flour are some of the most common gluten-free flour substitutes. Other options include almond flour, buckwheat flour, or oat flour. Pasta companies will also turn to ingredients like rice, legumes, or vegetables to replace gluten in products. With so much variety among the different gluten-free pastas, it can be hard to know which are superior. To save you the hassle, we've rounded up some of the best gluten-free noodles available in 2022.
How we selected products
Poor texture is a common complaint about gluten-free pasta. Often, home chefs end up with gluten-free noodles that are gummy or falling apart once cooked. Some of these failures can be chalked up to improper preparation. Depending on the product, different cooking times are needed that may not be expected by those used to making normal pasta. But sometimes, it's not just the chef's fault. In our recommendations, we've stayed away from gluten-free pastas that turn to mush on your plate.
Another problem with gluten-free pasta is stomach issues. This can be particularly disappointing, as many of those who purchase gluten-free pasta are trying to avoid this very ailment. Gluten-free Japanese shirataki noodles, made from konjac fiber, have even sent people to the hospital. We've left this type of noodle — as well as others that make people sick — off of our list of the best pastas.
To decide which gluten-free pastas are the best of the best, we first decided what product categories are most interesting to readers. We focused on specific gluten-replacing ingredients such as chickpeas, quinoa, or rice. We also paid attention to things like noodle type. For each category, we did a deep dive into previous press coverage, user reviews, and general popularity to find the finest product in each category. Read on to learn which of 2022's gluten-free pastas live up to the hype, and which are not worth buying. All prices were accurate as of this article's publishing date.
Best overall
Cappello's is a company that utilizes almond flour instead of gluten-containing wheat flour. Cappello's fresh-frozen fettuccine noodles have kosher, paleo, non-GMO, and grain-free certifications — in addition to being gluten-free. The only ingredients in Cappello's fettuccine are "almond flour, eggs, tapioca flour, xanthan gum, sea salt," per the company. Along with these simple ingredients, there are straightforward cooking instructions. Cappello's fettuccine noodles take only 90 seconds to cook. When they are ready, the resulting noodles boast a silkier taste and texture than other gluten-free noodles.
On Amazon, Cappello's frozen fettuccine noodles have been reviewed over 800 times, receiving an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Shoppers remarked that this box of pasta is somewhat pricey, but worth it for an occasional treat. Many complimented the mouthfeel of this pasta. "They nail the texture of 'real' gluten-filled pasta," wrote one user. Amazon reviewers also appreciated the product for containing fewer carbohydrates. "Out of any low carb pasta option- Capello's makes the finest product. I use this fettuccine regularly in my pasta dishes for keto and non-keto friends," said another customer. Overall, people thought the item successfully mimicked real, gluten-containing pasta. "This is the closest to real pasta. You feel like it's normal pasta," testified a buyer.
You can buy Cappello's almond flour fettuccine from the company's website for $11.
Best budget
Ancient Harvest's quinoa penne pasta is a great affordable option. One average-size pasta box costs just $6. Since each box contains over nine ounces of pasta — said to be five servings — customers pay around 75 cents per ounce. Also, Ancient Harvest's penne pasta has mass appeal. On Amazon, it's been reviewed over 900 times. Its rating average is 4.6 out of 5. "Wholesome and hearty with a good bite," said one consumer. "My family's favorite for 10 years!" wrote one. "We'll definitely be buying this again. Delicious!" said another Amazon buyer.
Per the website of Ancient Harvest, these penne noodles are made with brown rice, corn, and quinoa. Each of these gluten-free ingredients is ground into flour, then mixed into pasta. No other foods are added. The health certifications are also hard-to-beat. Ancient Harvest's penne is organic, kosher, non-GMO, and gluten-free certified. The product is also relatively allergen-free: It isn't made with the top eight allergens (milk, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, eggs, and fish).
You can buy Ancient Harvest's quinoa penne on Amazon for $6.
Best chickpea pasta
Banza is a recognizable name in gluten-free pasta. This noodle company makes its pasta from chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, hence the name "Banza." This gluten-free pasta company makes several shapes. Pasta shapes like penne, cascatelli, shells, elbows, rigatoni, spaghetti, and more are all sold by Banza. However, rotini is one of the most popular shapes. Along with shells and penne, rotini is included in Banza's bestseller variety cases. We appreciate rotini above other products made by Banza for its shape. Rotini's spirals are perfect for picking up sauces and other pasta ingredients.
This company is not flying under the radar. Business Insider said Banza makes one of the best-selling pastas at both Whole Foods and Target. But Banza's products are not just popular with the press — customers also appreciate them. On Amazon, Banza's rotini pasta has been reviewed over 2,000 times, for an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. "I was a little skeptical about chickpea pasta ... but I have to admit these are pretty good," said one person who tried out Banza's noodles. Another newcomer to the gluten-free pasta world appreciated them, as well. "I've been looking for ways to cut carbs at home and these def did the trick. My guy (a picky eater) even liked them," read one Amazon review.
You can buy Banza's chickpea rotini on Amazon for $10.
Best brown rice pasta
Pasta made from brown rice gives you the health benefits of brown rice, but in noodle form. SFGate reports that brown rice is healthy due to its iron content. Smart Pasta Maker called brown rice beneficial due to its low glycemic index, which prevents your blood sugar from spiking. As this advice shows, choosing brown rice pasta is not just a way to avoid gluten — it also can boost your health in other ways.
If you're looking for a wholesome gluten-free pasta product, go with Lotus Foods brown rice pad thai noodles. These long, flat, slender noodles have only one ingredient: organic brown rice, according to Lotus Foods. Per the company, this product has vegan, non-GMO, kosher, and gluten-free certifications. The health benefits of this product will make you want to whip up a quick homemade pad thai.
On Amazon, users received Lotus Foods' product favorably. The noodles have been reviewed over 900 times, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. One person called them their favorite brown rice noodles, chalking the superior quality up to ingredients. "Unlike other rice noodles, these have a nice bite and are never bland. Lotus really has sold me on their products because they seem to source the best rices," they said. Other users called them useful in versatile dishes, not just pad thai.
You can buy Lotus Foods rice pad thai noodles on Amazon for $8.
Best quinoa pasta
GoGo Quinoa's macaroni is the perfect ingredient for gluten-free mac and cheese. The macaroni comes with an exciting mix of both red and white noodles. The different colors are derived from different strains of quinoa. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this pasta also has a handful of health certifications, including a gluten-free one.
Shoppers may desire a quinoa-based gluten-free pasta due to the grain's healthy properties. Quinoa is high in protein, iron, fiber, and B vitamins. By going for a gluten-free pasta made with quinoa, you can reap some of the seed's many benefits.
On Amazon, these macaroni noodles have been reviewed over 800 times. They have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Some users especially appreciated the absence of corn, which tends to be used as a replacement for wheat in other gluten-free pastas. Corn is an especially common filler ingredient in quinoa-based pastas, according to Recipe Tips. Some people were still disappointed to find that rice flour was used. But others were pleased with the mouthfeel of the cooked pasta. "It holds up during the cooking process," testified one Amazon buyer. "I love the texture, just like real pasta," echoed another customer. The inclusion of rice flour — as well as the lack of corn — may be reasons for this successful, satisfying texture.
You can buy GoGo Quinoa's macaroni pasta on Amazon for $17.
Best edamame noodles
This spaghetti is made of edamame. While it's more common to come across a gluten-free pasta made of chickpeas or black beans, Asian bean varieties like edamame provide a rare treat.
According to Explore Cuisine, this pasta is gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO certified. The company recommends serving the noodles with mushroom sauce or olive oil. But these long, green noodles would also pair great with vegetables like carrots or bell peppers. Together, this combination of plant-based foods is not only healthy but colorful.
These edamame noodles have been purchased and reviewed over 2,000 times on Amazon. The average score given to them is 4.2 out of 5. Diabetic customers are particularly satisfied with Explore Cuisine's noodles. One person said, "As a diabetic, I had given pasta up...Then one day I came across Edamame noodles in the Aldi grocery store ... How satisfying!" Another person wrote, "Best low carb noodles — we use them for a diabetic." While convenient for these particular customers, others like them also. "This edamame pasta is really good. I was hesitant to buy because of the price but so worth it and will be buying more. Of course, it's not like the real regular pasta that everyone loves but it's close to it," said a non-diabetic Amazon reviewer.
You can buy Explore Cuisine's edamame spaghetti on Amazon for $7.
Best superfood pasta
Cybele's Free to Eat makes excellent gluten-free pastas. According to the brand, all of the company's noodles are made without common allergens, like peanuts. The pastas come in shapes like rotini, shells, penne, and elbows. Additionally, different products come in different colors which indicate the various superfoods that each pasta is made with. Cybele's green pasta is made with green lentils, spinach, kale, and broccoli. The purple variety is composed entirely of beets, purple carrots, sweet potatoes, and red lentils. The white rotini is made with parsnips, green lentils, and cauliflower. Not only is each product packed with healthy vegetables and legumes, but they are also gluten-free.
Press outlets like Go Dairy Free appreciated the brand overall, highlighting the processing facilities of Cybele's Free to Eat. These factories are free from the top eight allergens. Since the products are made without these ingredients, there is no need for them to enter the brand's factories. On Amazon, this product is well-reviewed, with over 900 ratings coming to an average of 4 out of 5. Many people appreciated the taste and texture. "The flavor and texture were amazing. Absolutely perfect," said one person. "Surprisingly, this has both good taste and texture," wrote another. "Beautiful al dente texture. The taste is amazing. A winner!" wrote one more reviewer.
You can buy the green superfood pasta from Cybele's Free to Eat on Amazon for $5.
Best rice noodles
Thai Kitchen is an Asian food company that makes several different rice noodles, all of which are gluten-free. One of the best options is the company's stir-fry rice noodles. The only ingredients are rice and water. The noodles are somewhat thick, making them sturdy enough to hold their shape in a stir fry. Thai Kitchen recommends using them to make dishes like cold Thai noodle salad, Thai sesame noodles, or homemade pad thai. With rice noodles like these, you can also swap them for pasta, put them in curry, or make lettuce wraps.
On Amazon, these gluten-free rice noodles are popular. There are over 1,700 ratings that come to an average of 4.6 out of 5. Customers say the product is tried and true. "These are the best rice noodles on the market and I have tried them all," said one person. "These rice noodles are tasty with any kind of sauce added," wrote another one. Many recommended using them for Asian recipes. "Great noodles for Asian cooking," remarked one Amazon customer. "Great addition to any stir-fry," said one. "Good for Asian cuisine. Easy to cook," wrote one more buyer. You can take their word for it and try out this gluten-free noodle alternative.
You can buy Thai Kitchen rice noodles on Amazon for $13.
Best soba noodles
Soba noodles are a type of Japanese noodle made of buckwheat. As Healthline explains, buckwheat is a naturally gluten-free seed. Not all soba noodles are gluten-free — per the outlet, wheat is sometimes added to the noodles — but the most authentic soba noodles are made only with buckwheat flour and water. If you can find this variety, you have a gluten-free option. One brand that makes great gluten-free soba noodles is Eden Organic.
Eden Organic makes many Japanese products, including several different types of noodles — not just soba. But its soba is especially high quality. It is made of 100% buckwheat (via Eden Organic). It is high in protein, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, iron, thiamin, and niacin. The brand's product is made with no added salt. Eden Organic suggests serving it a few ways: chilled in dashi soup stock, stuffed into sushi rolls, or served hot. However, if you're looking to use dashi, vegans should know that dashi may contain fish.
On Amazon, the buckwheat soba noodles made by Eden Organic are quite popular. The product has over 400 reviews, coming to an average rating of 4.2 out of 5. One customer avoiding gluten testified to its ingredients, saying "I'm gluten intolerant. These noodles are definitely gluten-free." Another person found the flavor of the noodles useful: "They have a nice flavor, great for a stir fry."
You can buy Eden Organic's 100% buckwheat soba noodles on Amazon for $11.
Best ramen noodles
Ramen noodles are not naturally gluten-free. Usually, they are made of wheat flour, water, and kansui — which Japan Junky describes as a liquid solution of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. But in gluten-free ramen noodles, alternative ingredients are used instead of wheat flour. In the case of Big Green Organic Food's millet ramen, millet flour is utilized as a replacement, making the ramen gluten-free.
As Delighted Cooking explains, millet is one type of gluten-free grain that's often ground into flour and used for baking. With the ramen from Big Green Organic Foods, millet is the sole ingredient used. Along with being gluten-free, these noodles have other qualities the health-conscious may find appealing. The noodles are packaged in a facility that doesn't process common allergens like soy, peanuts, tree nuts, or wheat. These gluten-free ramen noodles could be your first step toward attempting a satisfying ramen recipe.
Several customers thought these alternative noodles were successful at mimicking "real" ramen noodles (meaning those containing gluten). "This is hands-down the closest to the real thing ... I've tried," said one person who reviewed Big Green Organic Food's noodles on Amazon. Another buyer agreed, writing "This brand is absolutely the best ... The noodles maintained their shape. There were no offensive textures or tastes. It didn't fall apart when cooked."
You can buy Big Green Organic Food millet ramen on Amazon for $9.
Best filled pasta
There are so many gluten-free pastas on the market these days that you can even find filled ones in shapes like ravioli or tortellini. The company Cappello's is successfully making delicious filled pastas. Cappello's produces three different almond flour filled pastas: butternut squash; spinach and cheese (made with mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta); and five cheese ravioli (made with mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, fontina, and asiago). All three types of gluten-free ravioli are popular with the public and the press.
On Amazon, Cappello's gluten-free spinach and cheese ravioli has been reviewed over 200 times. It has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Customers were satisfied with their experience eating this pasta. "Tasted like regular pasta, and we love it for that," said one buyer.
Critiques (even if there were only a few) focused on price. "It is a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. It is SO GOOD," wrote an Amazon customer. "Tastes great. Nice texture. There just isn't a lot for the price. Comes with 8 decent-sized ravioli," reiterated another buyer. "The only downside is the price point. They, and other products from Cappello's, are a bit pricey; however, you get what you pay for," echoed yet another person. You can decide for yourself if it's worth the splurge. But if you are craving a cheesy, filled pasta that is also gluten-free, look to the brand Cappello's.
You can buy Cappello's spinach and cheese ravioli on the company's site for $11.