If you’re following a  gluten free diet, you might think that pasta is off the menu for good, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be. With Glutafin gluten free pasta, you can still enjoy all your traditional Italian favourites, and discover some new ones too.

What is gluten free pasta made of?

While traditional pasta is made from durum wheat, gluten free pasta can be made from a variety of alternative flours. Corn flour has been used to make pasta in Italy for centuries in the Abruzzo and Piedmont regions, and here at Glutafin, we use a combination of maize flour and rice flour to create our prescription pasta products. 

Top gluten free pasta recipes

Here on the Glutafin website, you’ll find no less than fifteen different recipes for gluten free pasta dishes, covering everything from classics like mac ‘n’ cheese and spaghetti Bolognese, to delicious cold pasta salads.

Top tips for cooking gluten free pasta

Gluten free pasta needs a little more attention than traditional pasta varieties if you want to achieve the same delicious ‘al dente’ texture. Here are our top gluten free pasta cooking tips:

1. Use a bigger pan – gluten free pasta needs more space because it releases more starch. Aim for one litre of water for every 100g
2. Salt like the sea – gluten free pasta needs lots of salt to bring out the flavour. Aim for one or two teaspoons per litre
3. Stir at the start and often – to stop your gluten free pasta from sticking together, stir as soon as it hits the pan and keep stirring regularly while it cooks
4. Start checking sooner – start checking two or three minutes before the stated cooking time to avoid overcooking your gluten free pasta. Remember, a hot sauce will continue to cook your pasta, so make sure you allow for this.
5. Don’t rinse it – the starch on the pasta surface will help the sauce to stick, so don’t wash it off
6. Serve straight away – gluten free pasta will continue to cook in the colander, so serve it as soon as you can

Staying safe with gluten free pasta

Gluten free pasta is safe for coeliacs, but you still need to take care to avoid cross-contamination. If your family cooks a lot of pasta, consider getting a separate cooking pan and colander for the gluten free stuff.

It’s also important to carefully check the ingredients for everything you pair with your pasta. This includes sauces from packets and jars, as well as stock cubes and seasonings. 

Enjoy Gluten Free Pasta from Glutafin and Schar

If you’ve been formally diagnosed with coeliac disease, you can get three types of gluten free pasta on prescription from Glutafin. This includes:

1. Gluten free pasta spirals (Fusilli)
2. Gluten free pasta tubes (Penne)
3. Gluten free spaghetti

Gluten free pasta on prescription is only available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is not available in England, however, you can still enjoy delicious gluten free pasta from our sister brand Schar. You’ll find it in the ‘free-from’ aisle of the supermarket.

Hundreds of tasty treats

You’ll find loads more delicious meal ideas right here on the Glutafin website. It’s just one of the many ways we’re supporting you as you learn to live gluten free. 

If you’ve got a favourite gluten free recipe or cooking tip, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop us an email at glutenfree@glutafin.co.uk and we’ll share it with all our gluten free friends.

Frequently asked questions about gluten free pasta

Q. Is gluten free pasta available on prescription?

A. Yes. Gluten free pasta is available on prescription in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for people who have been diagnosed with coeliac disease, whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with a coeliac diagnosis for a while. 

Q. Is gluten free pasta cooked the same way?

A. Mostly yes. However, it benefits from a larger pan with more water and you need to stir it more often, especially at the start of cooking.

Q. Can gluten free pasta be eaten cold?

A. Yes, gluten free pasta is great for cold pasta salads. To retain the texture, rinse in cold water immediately after cooking to prevent the pasta from going soft.

Q. What is gluten free pasta made from?

A. Gluten free pasta can be made from a variety of gluten free flours. Some regions of Italy use corn flour, while Glutafin gluten free pasta is made with maize flour and rice flour.

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