This gluten free pasta with creamy, dairy free tomato sauce is easy to make in 25 minutes. There are 5 other pasta recipes here for you, too!
This recipe is perfect for those who are new to gluten free eating, and also for those who may be looking for a lighter pasta alternative.
It’s a protein-packed, vegetarian pasta dinner with a healthy amount of plant based iron. For the recipe, scroll down to the bottom of this post.
But first, let’s talk about carbs…
ARE CARBS BAD?
Carbs can be a confusing topic, am I right? But I will say this; almost everyone enjoys eating them! Gluten free, of course. And depending on what the body needs, we adjust:
- the amount of carbs we eat
- the type we eat (grain free and pseudograins that are gluten free), and
- when we eat them.
I don’t believe in a one size fits all adrenal health.
For some people, adding in a bit of healthy gluten free carbs at dinner can help with sleep and cortisol regulation. Kids and athletes in training need carbs for energy. So no, carbs aren’t bad for us unless we eat too many at the wrong time. To sum it up, listen to your body and feed it according to its needs.
Types of gluten free pasta
There are two types of gluten free pasta that I adore. One is a buckwheat pasta and the other is a lentil pasta.
BUCKWHEAT PASTA
Buckwheat pasta is made from buckwheat flour. Buckwheat is a pseudo-grain, which is not really a grain, but a seed, from the rhubarb plant.
For those with healthy hormones and healthy guts, buckwheat is well tolerated, especially if it’s soaked or fermented.
You can learn more about this nutritional seed in my post, Buckwheat 101.
LENTIL PASTA
The other gluten free pasta I use often is lentil pasta. I love to use lentil pasta because it adds plant based protein without adding meat. Oh, and fiber to boot!
Actually, both types of gluten free pasta contain significant amounts of protein and significant levels of other nutrients, especially B vitamins and iron.
Troubleshooting: why is my pasta mushy?
If you have been eating gluten free for a while, you probably understand. Remember the days when every gluten free pasta option was made from corn, and it melted in the pan? Haha, yep!
A common mistake that many people make is to over cook pasta. This especially applies when cooking gluten free pasta. The key is to cook it to al dente.
This means, cook it a couple of minutes less than what the directions on the box call for.
So, if the instructions say to cook the pasta for 10 minutes, stop cooking it after 8 minutes.
The great news is, our bodies absorb and digest al dente pasta more slowly. So, it doesn’t just taste better, but it’s also healthier for you to eat it that way!
Creamy tomato penne pasta recipe notes
I have a special tip for making the sauce super creamy – Use an egg yolk combined with paleo mayo!
Yes, it’s almost like a carbonara style pasta, minus the cheese. This is also how we add in more good fats and Choline without the dairy. Plus 9 grams of protein- not too shabby!
Just mix a tiny bit of mayo and egg yolk together, then stir it right into the pasta. It melts together with the tomato and onion, which makes the penne pasta extra creamy.
You can also use nutritional yeast or even a cashew cream sauce. For even more protein, add in chicken, beef, or even shrimp if you’d like!
Ingredient Notes– You can buy lentil and buckwheat penne pasta here and you can buy spirals here.
Watch this quick IG video to see how I make the dish without stewed tomatoes. It’s perfect for when you are in a hurry.
View this post on Instagram
Other gluten free pasta recipes
Here are a few other recipes that are made with other gluten free options, like spaghetti squash and chickpea pasta. Just as easy to make, healthy and delicious, too!
This Spaghetti Squash Pasta is gluten free and paleo! The tender pasta is topped with miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy, lighter version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!
This vegan chickpea pasta recipe is packed with lemony flavor, making it the perfect light, gluten free pasta dinner for spring or summer!
An easy gluten free pasta recipe for a quick weeknight dinner or healthy lunch! Ready in under 30 minutes and vegan friendly. Can’t beat that now, can you?
Make this for an easy dinner, using just 5 ingredients! Tender pasta with a delicious and smooth garlic walnut sauce. Gluten free with a low carb recipe option!
Vegan Jalapeño Chickpea Mac and Cheese is gluten free, full of flavor, and ready in under 45 minutes. Made with lentil and chickpea pasta, jalapeños, and Mexican spices.
Now, go make any of these delicious meals for your friends and family. Bet they won’t notice that they’re eating something HEALTHY!
So, I would LOVE to know… what’s your favorite type of gluten free pasta?
If you have a recipe that you want to me make, leave a comment below the post!
Oh, and if you make ANY of these pasta recipes, please (pretty please!) let me know that, too!
Print
Creamy Tomato Gluten Free Pasta (Dairy Free)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Gluten free pasta doesn’t have to be mushy! This penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce is the ultimate in gluten free, dairy free comfort food.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 10 oz gluten free pasta {See notes for the kinds that work best}
- 8 oz canned Italian stewed tomatoes (drained) * Diced or halves
- 1/4 cup paleo mayo
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 tsp each kosher salt and black pepper
- Optional 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil and cracked pepper
optional add-ins
- diced chicken or chicken sausage.
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
Instructions
- In a small pan, sauté onions and garlic in 1 tbsp olive until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Once they are almost cooked, set aside.
- In a large pot, cook your gluten free pasta according to directions.
- Drain, rinse the pasta, and place pasta back into pot. Keep on low heat.
- Mix in the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and mix well. Mix gently.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and egg yolk. Add this mix to your pot with the pasta, coating until creamy. Gently mix in the sauteed onion/garlic.
- Toss the pasta with the tomatoes, kosher salt and pepper.,
- Stir gently over low to medium low heat until creamy and combined.
- If using a cooked protein, add it in here.
- Plate pasta into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil and cracked pepper.
Notes
Gluten Free Pasta Options
- Buckwheat Pasta options – penne or spirals
- For lentil penne pasta, check out chickapea pasta
Vegan Recipe Option
- If you are looking to make this vegan, just replace 1/4 cup mayo with my vegan cashew cream sauce and add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast. YUM!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: main, dinner
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 353
- Sugar: 4.8g
- Sodium: 186mg
- Fat: 17.1g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.2g
- Trans Fat: 8.2g
- Carbohydrates: 42.2g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 9.2g
- Cholesterol: 77mg
Keywords: gluten free pasta, gluten free pasta recipe, meatless, dairy free dinners
This post was originally published on November 21, 2016. New photos and content were added on November 2, 2020.
Cheers,
LC
