Gluten-Free Pasta Dishes

September 10, 2012
Photo: Oxmoor House
Get excited about dinner and rediscover the pasta dishes you love that are ideal for a gluten-free lifestyle. 
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Yellow Squash Pasta with Caramelized Lemon

Yellow Squash Pasta with Caramelized Lemon Recipe

Look for lemons with thinner skins (smoother, shinier skins are often thinner); you'll get a nice citrus hit with each bite, but charring the slices softens the flavor so it's not overpowering. Serve right after tossing everything together, as the squash will start to wilt.

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Zoodles with Tomatoes and Spinach-Caper Pesto

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Zoodles with Tomatoes and Spinach-Caper Pesto Recipe

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Eggplant Pappardelle

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis 
Eggplant Pappardelle Recipe

If you thought zoodles were good, wait until you give eggplant “noodles” a go. Swapping pappardelle pasta for long ribbons of eggplant makes for a stunning and flavor-packed, veggie-forward entree you’ll love to serve to guests. The key is to make sure you do not overcook the eggplant, as it should be tender, but still have some body to it. To do this, be sure to get the oil hot before adding your eggplant, and cook the eggplant undisturbed to promote browning. Turning the heat off when stirring in the pesto keeps the eggplant from burning. This dish is not ideal for reheating, so aim to eat what you make. However, on its own, the scrumptious pesto sauce is worth doubling to have leftovers you can use throughout the week.

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Chicken Parmesan over Zucchini Noodles

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Chicken Parmesan over Zucchini Noodles Recipe

A julienne peeler creates lovely "zoodles," but may we suggest a spiralizer? It works like a pencil sharpener, turning veggies into noodles (look for them at kitchen stores and amazon.com).

5 of 25

Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

Jennifer Causey
Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Spaghetti squash is a favorite ingredient for those seeking a lower-carb, gluten-free alternative to pasta. If you’ve cooked it before, you’ve likely cut it in half lengthwise to form two “boats.” And while that method works just fine, it disregards the way the strands grow inside the squash—in circles around the width of the squash. When you cut the squash lengthwise, you cut each strand in half, which makes for shorter, and often soggy, “spaghetti.” Try this instead: Cut the squash into rings to preserve the length of the strands. See our step-by-step guide below.

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Creamy Sausage and Zoodle Bake  

Photo: Daniel Agee; Prop Styling Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton
Creamy Sausage and Zoodle Bake   Recipe

It may be rich, it may be cheesy, but this vibrant twist on a traditional pasta casserole is also packed with veggies. Beyond swapping out pasta for zucchini noodles—which, no worries, do hold up well in this creamy bake—the casserole boasts roasted butternut squash, savory mushrooms, and caramelized onions. The veggie blend in this dish is a great balance to spicy Italian sausage and the luscious béchamel sauce, which we infuse with robust fall flavor by first steeping garlic and herbs in the milk later used for to make the sauce. Although this recipe isn’t an ideal choice for a last-minute throw-together meal, it is an excellent make-ahead option. Every component of the dish can be prepped ahead of time for a quick and easy assembly, making this veggie-centric casserole a delicious and impressive go-to for entertaining. 

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Squash Ribbon Pasta with Herb Cream Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Squash Ribbon Pasta with Herb Cream Sauce Recipe

Draining the hot cooked pasta over the squash ribbons softens the vegetables just enough to keep their fresh texture yet combine well with the pasta. Adding the red onion to the pasta in the last 2 minutes of cooking removes its harsh bite.

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Zoodles with Shrimp and Green Goddess Dressing

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Zoodles with Shrimp and Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Using a blend of spiralized summer squash and zucchini “noodles,” this light and bright summer entree is as refreshing as they come. We absolutely love the fresh flavors this simple green goddess dressing packs into the dish; any leftover dressing would be great for dipping veggies into for an easy snack. Taking advantage of already steamed shrimp from the seafood counter of your favorite grocery store keeps this vibrant dish entirely no-cook and incredibly speedy. And to save a few extra minutes, you can grab containers of pre-spiralized vegetables from the produce section. In order to prevent sogginess, wait until it’s time to eat before assembling the components of your zoodle bowl.  

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Sweet Potato Fettuccine

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Sweet Potato Fettuccine Recipe
This clever technique for transforming sweet potatoes into "fettuccine" was inspired by a prize-winning recipe from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission. Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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Teriyaki Pork and Vegetables with Noodles

Photo: Oxmoor House
Teriyaki Pork and Vegetables with Noodles Recipe
Once you buy the gluten-free spaghetti noodles, finish off this tasty pasta dish by checking for gluten-free teriyaki sauce and chili garlic sauce.

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Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Photo: Oxmoor House
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Recipe
Craving veggies and pasta tonight? Let gluten-free penne pasta, roasted vegetables, and fresh Parmesan cheese delight your taste buds.

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Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

Photo: Oxmoor House
Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Recipe
Break from tradition and try this pasta dish with gluten-free lasagna noodles. The flavor is phenomenal!
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Pasta Carbonara Florentine

Photo: Oxmoor House
Pasta Carbonara Florentine Recipe
Are you an avid bacon-lover in need of a nutritious dinner idea? Enjoy the benefits of gluten-free spaghetti noodles, along with baby spinach leaves and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce accompanied with bacon bits in this perfect pasta dish.

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Three-Cheese Baked Penne

Photo: Oxmoor House
Three-Cheese Baked Penne Recipe
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and panko-style breadcrumbs atop the gluten-free brown rice penne and sink your teeth into this savory pasta dish.

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Spicy Asian Noodles with Chicken

Photo: Oxmoor House
Spicy Asian Noodles with Chicken Recipe
The sauces are the secret. Include gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce to complete this nutritious noodle dish. Your favorite takeout dinner is now healthier and ready in no time.
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Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta

Photo: Oxmoor House
Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta Recipe
To complete this dish, check for gluten-free Italian sausage to include with your gluten-free multigrain penne pasta for a deliciously healthy dinner.

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Spaghetti and Meatballs

Photo: Oxmoor House
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
This classic comfort food of spaghetti and meatballs just got even better with gluten-free spaghetti noodles and Italian herb pasta sauce. This recipe is satisfying and filling with meatballs that hold together well. Remember to check for gluten-free sweet turkey Italian sausage along with gluten-free chicken broth.

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Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper and Cream Sauce

Photo: Oxmoor House
Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper and Cream Sauce Recipe
The secret is in the gluten-free seashell pasta. Serve to your family for a tasty weeknight meal and watch them clean their plates.
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Baked Vegetable Lasagna

Photo: Oxmoor House
Baked Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
Leave out the gluten in this classic, creamy and cheesy comfort food by simply using gluten-free lasagna noodles.

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Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine"

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett
Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine" Recipe
Cutting zucchini into thin strips is easy and makes a fresh, naturally gluten-free substitute for pasta. Add thinly sliced ribbons of salami for a meatier meal.

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens

Photo: Oxmoor House
Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens Recipe
Check the beef broth and the soy sauce to make sure they are gluten-free and enjoy this quick and easy Vietnamese cuisine.
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Linguine with Peppery Shrimp

Photo: Oxmoor House
Linguine with Peppery Shrimp Recipe
The uncooked quinoa linguine in this recipe is gluten-free. Full of protein and flavor, this shrimp pasta will be welcomed at any family dinner.

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Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss

Photo: Colin Price; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss Recipe

Spaghetti squash is a great lower-calorie, lower-carb alternative to pasta. It's a neutral-tasting veggie that absorbs all the flavors of this simple dish. Eat with 1 orange or 2 clementines. Dairy-free option: Use 4 teaspoons toasted chopped walnuts instead of feta cheese.

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Tomato-Basil Pasta with Asiago

Photo: Oxmoor House
Tomato-Basil Pasta with Asiago Recipe
Believe it or not, this pasta just got healthier. Grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and grated Asiago cheese join with gluten-free rice penne to create a nutritious alternative.
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