There is a good variety of ingredients used in making pasta, such as brown rice, quinoa, shirataki, and soybean, as well as different pasta shapes that you can pair with your favorite sauce. We will share a buying guide fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, along with our top 10 picks on the best products available online.
Quick List - Top Gluten-Free Pasta
Perfect Earth
Sustainably-Sourced Black Rice and Chia Seeds Pasta
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
Being required to go on a gluten-free diet is not the end of the world. There are already several alternatives that are safe to eat without sacrificing the quality and taste. We listed down some of the most common ingredients of gluten-free pasta, along with their benefits.
Brown and red rice are the usual ingredients of gluten-free pasta. This is the best option if you just want to cut out gluten without eliminating the carbs. In just one 195-gram cup, there are 3 grams of fiber. They have antioxidants that can help manage weight loss.
They are also good for people who have underlying conditions such as diabetes in order to regulate the intake of sugar from carbohydrates. Rice-based pasta has a mild flavor and chewy texture. Compared to other ingredients, rice-based pasta is closest to regular pasta.
Quinoa, a type of seed, is also a popular ingredient of gluten-free pasta, usually mixed with rice or corn. It contains nine essential amino acids and vitamins, including folate, iron, thiamine, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Quinoa has a distinct nutty taste with a grainy texture. It also contains an ample amount of fiber, with 3 grams in every 43 grams of dry pasta. Moreover, consuming quinoa may help in weight management, regulating sugar absorption, and improving digestive health.
Shirataki pasta noodles are known for their translucent appearance with a jelly-like texture. They are sourced from the fibers of the konjac plant, namely glucomannan. It can reduce the levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger.
A huge advantage of shirataki pasta is its fast cooking time. They do not have any taste, which makes them versatile for any pasta dish. This is also great for people following a ketogenic diet since this is low in calories and carbohydrates. However, they do not contain vitamins and minerals.
Soy is a type of legume used for food products, such as soy milk, soy sauce, and tofu. Aside from these, it can also be used as an ingredient for gluten-free pasta. Meanwhile, edamame is an immature soybean because it is harvested earlier. It has a green color compared to yellow or beige soy.
They have a mild nutty taste that is not overpowering, making them great for both thick and light sauces. Soy products are a popular plant-based alternative source of protein. With that, soy and edamame pasta are best for meals before or after working out since they aid muscle growth and recovery.
Before you decide on the kind of pasta noodles, you must first think of the recipe you intend to use them for. Below, we will help you pick which is the best pasta shape and thickness for the dish you have in mind.
Pasta noodles that have wide and flat strands can hold a good amount of thick and meaty sauces. If you want longer strands, go for fettuccine or linguine. You can also opt for shorter and smaller pasta as well as those with ridges, including bowties, rotini, and fusilli. These are perfect for bolognese and creamy sauces such as carbonara.
Tube pasta like penne and rigatoni can be used for baking and also for rich and meaty sauces. The hole in each pasta serves the purpose of holding sauce inside. Macaroni has smaller holes; that is why they are best for thinner sauces and for making sopas.
Thin pasta noodles like angel hair and spaghetti are best for light sauces. Because they have narrow, round, and delicate strands, thick or meaty sauces may just weigh down the pasta. Go for thin noodles if you plan to make an oil-based sauce like pesto and Aglio olio. The flavors will coat the pasta evenly because oil is like an adhesive.
Although gluten-free pasta is considered a healthier and safer alternative to wheat-based pasta, you should still scan the product label to see the number of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and sugar per serving size.
In addition, you can check if the products are compatible with your diet, especially if you are vegan. Also, some ingredients can be a source of allergens.
If you are just trying out gluten-free pasta, it is best to get a small packaging first, which is typically around 250 grams. When you already have a go-to pasta noodle, stocking up on larger packs with at least 500 grams will save you additional trips to the store.
Aside from individual packs, you can also consider buying a set containing assorted variants. This way, you will be able to taste different kinds of gluten-free pasta that the brand has to offer.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7Grains Organic Edamame Protein Pasta|200 grams | ![]() | High-Protein Edamame Pasta for a Post-Workout Meal | |
2 | Barilla Gluten-Free Spaghetti |400 grams x 3 Boxes | ![]() | Just Like Your Regular Spaghetti | |
3 | Perfect Earth Gluten-Free Organic Chia Pasta|225 grams | ![]() | Sustainably-Sourced Black Rice and Chia Seeds Pasta | |
4 | Field Day Organic Fusilli |340 grams | ![]() | Get Twice the Benefits With a Brown Rice & Quinoa Blend | |
5 | Angel Hair Shirataki Noodles|200 grams | ![]() | Shirataki Pasta That Is Low in Calories | |
6 | The Ruby Pantry Almond Keto Pasta - Maccheroni|250 grams | ![]() | Almond Pasta That Is Rich in Omega-3 | |
7 | Ancient Harvest Garden Pagodas Pasta|227 grams | ![]() | Vibrant Tri-Color Corn and Quinoa Pasta | |
8 | Cadia Brown Rice Macaroni|454 grams | ![]() | Gluten-Free Macaroni for Your Favorite Filipino Dishes | |
9 | Field Day Organic Brown Rice Kid's Mix Pasta|340 grams | ![]() | Brown Rice Pasta With Unique Shapes | |
10 | Miracle Noodle Ziti Shirataki Pasta|198 grams | ![]() | Shirataki Ziti for Baked Pasta Dishes |
This product is made from just 92% edamame and 8% water, nothing else. Each serving is about 50 grams, which has 21 grams of protein. This makes it a viable option for a pre-workout or post-workout meal. It can also be a good addition to a keto diet because of its low carbohydrate content.
Because of its slight green color, it is perfect for herbed sauces like pesto and even for red or white sauces to contrast their color. To cook the noodles, you need to put them in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes before mixing them in your sauce. You can also grab a pack of their yellow soybean pasta for variety.
The color, texture, and taste of gluten-free pasta vary according to the main ingredient. While each person has their own preferences, some still want the same appearance and qualities of wheat-based pasta. If you want gluten-free spaghetti noodles and the taste of regular pasta, this product is for you.
Barilla has been one of the leading brands that offer gluten-free pasta. They have a production line solely for gluten-free products to prevent cross-contamination of allergens.
The noodles are made with corn and rice flour to achieve the same flavor and consistency as regular spaghetti. Aside from the pasta, you can also purchase pre-made sauces like bolognese, ricotta, and Napoletana, all of which are gluten-free, as well.
Perfect Earth follows sustainable practices as they plant and grow their own rice and chia seeds. The harvested crops are then used for their products, including this pasta. It is made from a blend of black rice and chia seeds and is perfect to pair with alfredo sauce for a contrast of colors.
Both of the main ingredients in black rice and chia seeds support your heart and digestive health. They have a good amount of fiber, protein, and antioxidants, which can increase satiety and aid in weight loss. You can also prepare any dish with this pasta for your pre-workout meal because it has enough carbohydrates to fuel you.
Can't seem to decide which ingredient is best for you? This gluten-free fusilli pasta from Field Day contains two main ingredients: brown rice and quinoa. Combining the two makes for a pasta variant that is firm and can hold its shape as you cook them. Most of all, you will reap the health benefits of both ingredients in just one serving!
Since fusilli pasta has ridges on the sides, the meat and sauce can squeeze in between them, so you get a burst of flavor in every bite. Aside from rich sauces, fusilli can also be combined with fresh vegetables and a generous amount of salad dressing for an easy pasta salad.
Sometimes, you just want a filling meal with minimal calories and carbohydrates. Times like these call for shirataki pasta! This product has only 5 calories in a serving size of 100 grams, so it is totally fine to consume one pack all to yourself. Since angel hair pasta is thin, it is best to pair it with light, herbed, and oil-based sauces.
The cooking process of shirataki noodles is not at all different from regular pasta. You need to drain all the liquid before putting them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Because of their short cooking time, shirataki noodles are ideal for people who do not have much time to prepare meals and are always on the go.
The Ruby Pantry is a local brand that has its own line of gluten-free pasta that is packed with nutrients. One of their best-selling products is the almond pasta. They are enriched with flax seeds, one of the plant-based sources of omega-3 that may aid in overall heart and digestive health.
It has been seasoned with pink Himalayan salt, so you can skip or add just a little amount of salt in the boiling water when cooking the maccheroni. Don't be alarmed by the fat content of 11.8 grams in each 50-gram serving, as they are healthy fats from the omega-3.
Make your meals exciting and more appetizing with these tri-color corn and quinoa pasta! There are no artificial colorings included in this product. Instead, brown rice flour, spinach flour, and beetroot flour are used as natural dyes. Who knew gluten-free food can look this good?
If you are looking for pasta that has high carbohydrates but do not prefer rice-based variants, then it is best to go for corn pasta. In addition, quinoa contains amino acids. Both of the main ingredients, corn and quinoa, are also rich in fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive system.
If you are on a gluten-free diet, it can be hard to resist scrumptious macaroni dishes. With this gluten-free brown rice pasta, you can now whip up your favorite macaroni recipes that you have grown to love! This pack of macaroni is made with just three ingredients: whole grain brown rice, rice bran, and water.
During cold and rainy days, nothing beats a bowl of steaming hot and creamy sopas to warm us up. At birthday parties and family gatherings, you will find cheesy baked macaroni and macaroni salad. Cadia's brown rice variant is a great alternative to elbow macaroni that Pinoys love to have on regular days and special occasions.
This brown rice pasta is best if you usually get your regular fix of carbohydrates from pasta and want a gluten-free option. The unique shapes, from leaves to animals, will definitely make kids and kids at heart have more enjoyable meals with less guilt.
This is made with no additives, just brown rice and water, so it is as pure as it can be! Because it has zero sugar, this is perfect for people who are looking to reduce their sugar intake. The number of calories may be on the higher end, but it packs on fiber and antioxidants.
Ziti pasta is used mainly for baked dishes, and pairing it with a meaty sauce then topped with melted cheese makes the pasta dish truly irresistible. With this shirataki ziti, you can now enjoy baked ziti minus the guilt. Each noodle has a tubular shape that is best to combine with thick sauces.
A huge advantage of shirataki pasta is that it can absorb the flavors of your sauce. This product from Miracle Noodle does not contain soy, so it is a good option for people who have both soy allergy and gluten intolerance. However, they have a different texture and feel as compared to regular ziti.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Gluten-free pasta is better for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, but otherwise, it's not necessarily healthier or less healthy than other types of pasta. More or less, the nutritional composition is the same, except that it contains no gluten.
Gluten is present in food that contains cereal, wheat, barley, and rye. It is commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer to preserve moisture in processed food like bread, pasta, and other pastries. Though gluten is safe to eat for most people, some have an intolerance or even celiac disease, which restricts them from consuming food with gluten. Going gluten-free allows them to enjoy different dishes without the untoward risks.
Not necessarily. Pasta can be both gluten-free and high-carb if it is made with high-carb flour like potato flour, rice flour, or cornmeal. If you want pasta that's low-carb, look into those made of alternative flour sources like chickpeas, beans, or veggies.
Your gluten-free pasta wouldn't be complete without the sauce. Don't have time to make your own pasta sauce from scratch? We got you! Here are some of the best pesto and spaghetti sauces for your next pasta dish. To cap off your sauce, add some richness to it by putting a few tablespoons of cream cheese.
Author: Patricia Catimpo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: 7Grains|Organic Edamame Protein Pasta|200 grams
No. 2: Barilla|Gluten-Free Spaghetti |400 grams x 3 Boxes
No. 3: Perfect Earth|Gluten-Free Organic Chia Pasta|225 grams
No. 4: Field Day|Organic Fusilli |340 grams
No. 5: |Angel Hair Shirataki Noodles|200 grams
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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