Finding a gluten-free pasta that actually tastes good is one of the most important discoveries you'll make on your gluten-free journey. The bad news? Not all gluten-free pastas are created equal — some are mushy, gummy, or taste like wet cardboard. The good news? The best gluten free pasta brands available today are so good that even wheat-eating friends and family won't know the difference.
In this post you'll find honest reviews of the top 10 gluten-free pasta brands, what makes each one unique, which ones taste closest to regular pasta, and the most important tips for cooking gluten-free pasta perfectly every time.
💡 The single biggest mistake with gluten-free pasta: Overcooking. Gluten-free pasta goes from perfect to mush in under 60 seconds. Always set your timer for 1 minute LESS than the package suggests and test a piece before draining. This one tip will transform your results immediately.
🏆 Top 10 Best Gluten Free Pasta Brands Reviewed
#1 — Jovial 100% Organic Brown Rice Pasta
Best overall — closest to traditional pasta
Jovial is consistently rated the best gluten-free pasta by celiac disease communities, food writers, and taste testers worldwide. Made from a single ingredient — 100% organic brown rice from Italy — it has a beautiful al dente bite, a subtle nuttiness, and a rough surface that grips sauce beautifully. It's made by pasta artisans in Italy who slow-dry it for superior quality, which is likely the reason it stands out so dramatically from other brands.
Jovial passed the ultimate test — blind taste testers regularly can't tell it apart from regular wheat pasta. It pairs especially well with olive oil-based sauces, pesto, and light tomato sauces. The only caveat: like all gluten-free pasta, don't overcook it.
- ✅ Made from: 100% organic brown rice
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Italian dishes, olive oil sauces, everyday cooking
- ✅ Where to buy: Health food stores, Amazon, Whole Foods
#2 — Barilla Gluten Free Pasta
Best widely available option — tastes almost identical to regular pasta
Barilla is the most accessible and affordable of the top-rated gluten-free pasta brands. Made from a blend of corn and rice flour, it behaves almost identically to their regular wheat pasta — it cooks up similarly, holds sauce well, and has a familiar taste and texture that most people find indistinguishable from conventional pasta. It's widely available in mainstream supermarkets worldwide, making it the easiest brand to find in a regular grocery shop.
Barilla GF pasta is a reliable everyday choice — it's the brand most likely to satisfy people who are new to gluten-free eating and miss the taste and texture of regular pasta most.
- ✅ Made from: Corn and rice flour
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Everyday pasta dishes, family cooking, beginners
- ✅ Where to buy: Most supermarkets worldwide
#3 — Rummo Gluten Free Pasta
Best for Italian cooking — firm texture that grips sauce like traditional pasta
Rummo is an Italian pasta brand that uses a special steam processing method (Metodo di Lavorazione al Vapore) with brown rice and corn. The result is a pasta with a firm texture, rough surface, and excellent sauce-gripping ability — very similar to traditional bronze-cut Italian pasta. It doesn't get gummy or fall apart, which is a major achievement in the gluten-free pasta world.
Rummo is particularly impressive in dishes that require the pasta to hold its shape under heavy, chunky sauces. If you're cooking a proper Italian dinner — cacio e pepe, carbonara, or a rich Bolognese — Rummo is the brand that takes itself seriously enough to deliver.
- ✅ Made from: Brown rice and corn
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Authentic Italian dishes, chunky sauces
- ✅ Where to buy: Italian delis, specialty stores, Amazon
#4 — Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta
Best for families and kids — mild flavour, kid-approved
Tinkyada has been a staple in the gluten-free community for many years and for good reason. It cooks up soft, mild, and incredibly similar to traditional pasta. The spirals and shells are perfect for mac and cheese, pasta salads, and family dinners. It's made in a 100% dedicated gluten-free facility — meaning zero cross-contamination risk — which makes it one of the safest options for people with celiac disease.
Tinkyada passes the ultimate family test — it's one of the few gluten-free pastas that children consistently accept without complaint, which is no small feat.
- ✅ Made from: Brown rice
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes — dedicated facility
- ✅ Best for: Families, kids, mac and cheese, pasta salads
- ✅ Where to buy: Health food stores, Amazon
#5 — DeLallo Gluten Free Pasta
Best for gnocchi and specialty shapes
DeLallo imports its gluten-free pasta from Italy and the quality shows clearly in the taste and texture. Their gnocchi is particularly impressive — soft, creamy, and doesn't get gummy like most other gluten-free gnocchi brands. Made from rice flour and potato starch, DeLallo has the superior taste and texture of regular wheat pasta. It's also made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, which provides extra reassurance for those with severe celiac disease.
- ✅ Made from: Rice flour and potato starch
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes — dedicated facility
- ✅ Best for: Gnocchi, Italian cooking
- ✅ Where to buy: Specialty stores, Amazon
#6 — Banza Chickpea Pasta
Best for nutrition — high protein and high fibre
Banza is made from chickpea flour and delivers impressive nutritional benefits compared to other gluten-free pasta brands — 50% more protein, triple the fibre, and 25% fewer carbohydrates than traditional pasta per serving. It has a slightly nutty, chickpea-forward flavour that complements tomato-based sauces and chunky pasta dishes particularly well. It's also available in more shapes than most gluten-free pasta brands including cascatelli and cavatappi.
Banza won't fool anyone into thinking they're eating regular wheat pasta — it tastes distinctly of chickpeas — but for people who want the most nutritious gluten-free pasta option, it's an excellent choice.
- ✅ Made from: Chickpea flour
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: High-protein meals, chunky sauces, nutritional goals
- ✅ Where to buy: Most supermarkets, Amazon
#7 — Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta
Best for heavy sauces — hearty texture that won't collapse
Ancient Harvest uses a blend of corn, quinoa, and brown rice to create a pasta with a clean flavour, no earthy aftertaste, and a hearty texture that holds up well under heavy, chunky sauces. Reviewers consistently report you can't tell it's gluten-free. It maintains a nice al dente quality and doesn't get mushy — making it particularly well-suited to baked pasta dishes, Bolognese, and chunky marinara.
- ✅ Made from: Corn, quinoa, brown rice
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Heavy sauces, baked pasta, Bolognese
- ✅ Where to buy: Health food stores, Amazon
#8 — Tolerant Red Lentil Pasta
Best for nutrition with a neutral flavour
Tolerant makes red lentil pasta that is the most nutrient-dense option on this list — rich in iron, folate, and excellent plant-based protein. Unlike some other lentil pastas that have a very strong flavour, Tolerant has a relatively neutral taste that works well with most pasta sauces. It holds its shape better than many grain-free alternatives and is a great option for people looking to increase their protein and iron intake through their pasta choice.
- ✅ Made from: Red lentils
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Tomato-based sauces, high-protein meals
- ✅ Where to buy: Health food stores, Amazon
#9 — Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pasta
Best budget option available in-store
For Trader Joe's shoppers, their own-brand gluten-free pasta made from brown rice and quinoa is a solid, affordable everyday option. It has a mild flavour, reasonable texture, and is significantly cheaper than many specialty brands. The main risk is the same as all gluten-free pasta — overcooking. Follow the package directions carefully, remove 1 minute early, and test before draining for the best results.
- ✅ Made from: Brown rice and quinoa
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers, everyday cooking
- ✅ Where to buy: Trader Joe's stores only
#10 — Veggiecraft Farms Pasta
Best for hidden vegetables — great for families with picky eaters
Veggiecraft Farms makes pasta from cauliflower, peas, and lentils — delivering excellent nutrition while tasting reasonable close to traditional pasta. It's high in fibre and protein, packed with vitamins, and low in sodium and carbohydrates. The texture is solid — not as identical to wheat pasta as Jovial or Barilla, but good enough for everyday meals. A brilliant option for parents trying to add more vegetables to their children's diet without a battle.
- ✅ Made from: Cauliflower, peas, lentils
- ✅ Certified gluten-free: Yes
- ✅ Best for: Families, hidden vegetables, extra nutrition
- ✅ Where to buy: Health food stores, Amazon
📊 Quick Comparison Chart
- 🥇 Best overall taste: Jovial Brown Rice Pasta
- 🥈 Most widely available: Barilla Gluten Free
- 🥉 Best for authentic Italian: Rummo Gluten Free
- 👨👩👧 Best for families/kids: Tinkyada Brown Rice
- 💪 Best for nutrition: Banza Chickpea Pasta
- 💰 Best budget option: Trader Joe's Gluten Free
- 🥗 Best for hidden veg: Veggiecraft Farms
🍳 How to Cook Gluten Free Pasta Perfectly Every Time
The most common complaint about gluten-free pasta is that it turns mushy or falls apart. This is almost always a cooking issue rather than a brand issue. Follow these tips for perfect results every time:
- Use a large pot of heavily salted boiling water — more water means more room for the pasta to move and less sticking
- Set your timer 1 minute LESS than the package says — gluten-free pasta overcooks extremely quickly
- Stir frequently in the first 2 minutes — this prevents clumping and sticking
- Test a piece before draining — it should be just slightly firm in the centre (al dente)
- Do NOT rinse after draining — rinsing removes the starch that helps sauce cling to the pasta
- Dress with sauce immediately — gluten-free pasta sticks together quickly once drained
- Don't add olive oil to the water — this prevents sauce from sticking to the pasta later
🛒 What to Look for When Buying Gluten Free Pasta
- Certified gluten-free label — especially important for celiac disease. Look for the GFCO certification stamp
- Dedicated facility — some brands are made in shared facilities with wheat. Check the label for "made in a dedicated gluten-free facility" if you have severe sensitivity
- Simple ingredients — the best gluten-free pastas use simple, recognisable ingredients like brown rice, corn, or quinoa. Avoid long lists of additives and starches you can't pronounce
- Pasta type — rice and corn-based pastas taste closest to regular pasta. Bean and legume-based pastas (chickpea, lentil) offer better nutrition but a more distinct flavour
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which gluten free pasta tastes most like regular pasta?
Jovial Brown Rice Pasta and Barilla Gluten Free are consistently rated as the closest in taste and texture to regular wheat pasta. Both have been confirmed by blind taste testers to be nearly indistinguishable from conventional pasta when cooked correctly.
Is gluten free pasta healthier than regular pasta?
Not necessarily. Rice-based gluten-free pasta has a similar nutritional profile to regular pasta. However, bean-based varieties like Banza chickpea pasta and Tolerant red lentil pasta offer significantly more protein and fibre than conventional pasta.
Why does my gluten free pasta always turn mushy?
You're overcooking it. Always set your timer for 1 minute less than the package suggests and taste-test a piece before draining. Gluten-free pasta has a very narrow window between al dente and overcooked.
Can I use gluten free pasta in baked pasta dishes?
Yes — but use brands with a firmer texture like Jovial, Rummo, or Ancient Harvest. Undercook the pasta slightly before baking since it will continue to cook in the oven.
Final Thoughts
The best gluten free pasta brands have come an incredibly long way in recent years. Whether you choose Jovial for its authentic Italian taste, Barilla for its accessibility, or Banza for its impressive nutritional profile — there is now a genuinely delicious gluten-free pasta option for every cooking style and every budget.
The most important advice: cook it carefully, don't overcook it, and dress it with sauce immediately after draining. Do these three things and your gluten-free pasta nights will be just as satisfying as they've always been.
Which gluten-free pasta brand is your favourite? Share it in the comments below — your recommendation might help another reader find their perfect pasta! 🌿
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