If you have read any of my previous posts, you might already know that we are a multi-cultural family. I’m originally from Albania while my husband was born in Bolivia. We have known each for over 16 years now and needless to say we have learned a lot about each other’s heritage. When it comes to food, I learned how to eat quinoa and saltenas from my husband while he learned how to eat greek yogurt, feta cheese and olives with almost every meal from me:). However, until recently I hadn’t heard of gluten free quinoa pasta!!!
My husband’s cousin recently sent a package to me from Bolivia and I was surprised to see lots of quinoa food items in it. She is one of my most avid readers and has given me excellent advice on Bolivian recipes along with other family members. One of the boxes contained fusilli pasta made with quinoa. As I was reading the packaging, it said that this pasta is gluten free. I was curious on how it compared to regular pasta.
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Gluten Free Quinoa Pasta VS. Regular Pasta
- Gluten free quinoa pasta is made of quinoa while regular pasta is made with wheat. Therefore regular pasta is not gluten free. Quinoa is naturally gluten free.
- Quinoa pasta takes same amount of time to cook as regular pasta 8-12 minutes and it is prepared in the same way.
- Gluten Free Quinoa Pasta looks a bit lighter in color after it is cooked than regular pasta.
- Quinoa pasta tastes the closest to regular pasta than any other gluten free pasta I have tried before.
- While quinoa pasta is increasing in popularity and such it is being sold in several grocery stores, it might not still be as readily available as regular pasta. Also, quinoa pasta is more expensive.
- Quinoa pasta has more dietary fiber and protein for same serving than regular pasta.
Last Sunday I prepared the Bolivian fusilli quinoa pasta and served it with this Mediterranean Mushrooms Beef Pasta Sauce. The pasta sauce is very versatile. The sauce can be served with any pasta you like, rice or even side salads or veggies. I love this combination of Mediterranean & Latin foods. It’s definitely a fusion of foods like our family is a fusion of traditions and cultures!
Simple Recipe
Gluten Free Quinoa Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 grams quinoa pasta I used fusilli shaped but you can use different types of quinoa pasta
- salt to taste
- 0.5 gallons water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Bring water to boil as you would for regular pasta.
- Add salt as needed and olive oil.
- Pour pasta in boiling water. Stir occasionally for 3 minutes so pasta doesn’t stick together. Let cook for 8-12 minutes according to box. In my case, 10 minutes was enough.
- Pour on colander and serve immediately with sauce of your choice.
Notes
My kids love this pasta without sauce too. Another version of how I prepare it for them is with butter and parmesan cheese. Prepare everything the same as recipe above. Drain water and throw pasta back on the pot with some butter. Serve and sprinkle with parmesan cheese!! Kids love this and makes for an easy dinner sometimes. Add steamed veggies on the side:).
Sheila
I have a friend who doesn’t eat gluten and I am dying to try this on her!
Sonila
Sheila, i hope you can find quinoa pasta because it tastes the closest i have found to real pasta. My local grocery store didn’t have it but Whole Foods has several brands, i don’t know which ones is best because the one i cooked was sent to me from Bolivia, so it might be a bit trial and error.
Holly Bird
I can’t wait to try this yummy looking recipe!! Thank you!