Brown Rice Pasta Recipe

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Indulging in a delicious pasta dish doesn’t have to come at the cost of dietary restrictions or compromising on taste. For those avoiding gluten or simply seeking a healthier alternative, gluten-free brown rice pasta emerges as a versatile and satisfying option.

This recipe seamlessly combines the comforting familiarity of pasta with the wholesome goodness of brown rice, offering a dish that not only caters to various dietary needs such as dairy intolerance or other food allergies but also delights the taste buds with its nutty flavor and pleasing texture.


Is Brown Rice Pasta Good for You?

Brown rice pasta can indeed be a beneficial addition to many diets. Being gluten-free, it caters to individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, offering them a pasta option without triggering adverse reactions. Moreover, brown rice pasta retains more nutrients compared to its refined wheat counterparts, boasting essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. 

Its higher fiber content aids in digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it a favorable choice for those aiming to maintain stable energy throughout the day. Additionally, its lower glycemic index contributes to better blood sugar management, particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those seeking to minimize blood sugar spikes. 

With its versatility in various dishes and easy integration into a balanced diet, brown rice pasta stands as a wholesome alternative that can enhance both nutrition and culinary enjoyment. However, as with any food, moderation and overall dietary balance remain crucial for optimal health outcomes.


Gluten-Free Brown Rice Pasta Recipe Ingredients

You can buy gluten-free pasta at the grocery but you can also make your own at home! It’s not as difficult as it may sound like. Making your own brown rice pasta ensures that you know what’s in your food and that there won’t be a risk of cross-contamination. Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make your own gluten-free brown rice pasta at home:

  • 2 cups superfine brown rice flour
  • 2 teaspoons guar gum
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup filtered cold water

How Is Brown Rice Pasta Made?

  1. Add flour and guar gum to the bowl of your mixer. Whisk together well.
  2. Add oil to the water.
  3. Slowly pour the oil and water mixture into the mixing bowl. 
  4. Once the dough comes together, stop the mixer and form a ball with your hands.
  5. Roll the dough as thin as possible between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and cut into your desired shape, such as noodles. Make sure to not roll it out too thin or it will stick to the plastic wrap.
  6. Dust a baking sheet with brown rice flour.
  7. Transfer your cut pasta noodles to the baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together.

Do You Have to Rinse Brown Rice Pasta Before Cooking?

Rinsing brown rice pasta before cooking is generally not necessary. Unlike wheat pasta, which may benefit from rinsing to remove excess starch, brown rice pasta doesn’t contain as much starch and tends to have a firmer texture. Additionally, rinsing brown rice pasta before cooking could potentially wash away some of the beneficial nutrients and natural flavors present in the pasta.


What Is the Best Way to Cook Brown Rice Pasta?

If you just want to have brown rice pasta noodles, then the simplest method is to boil water in a medium pot and add a bit of oil. Next, add pasta. Then, cook the pasta noodles for about 1 to 5 minutes, depending on their thickness.

Aside from that, there are a number of recipes in which you can use brown rice pasta. You can use the brown rice pasta in salads or spaghetti recipes. Here’s one for you:

Gluten-Free Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Recipe

For this pasta recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 8 ounces pasta noodles (spaghetti or fettuccine)
  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces (roasted chicken works too)
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 onions, minced
  • 1 can cherry tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato basil pasta sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Here are the instructions to make this pasta recipe:

  1. Heat a large pot of water until it boils. 
  2. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and simmer until al dente.
  3. In a large pan, heat oil over medium-high flame.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Stir until it’s golden brown.
  5. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and set aside.
  6. In the same skillet, add the broccoli, onion, and tomatoes. Stir until the broccoli has a tender-crispy texture or the tomatoes are slightly softened.
  7. Place the chicken in the large pot where you boiled the water. Mix in the broccoli, onion, and tomatoes.
  8. Add the cooked spaghetti pasta into the pot.
  9. Pour the can of pasta sauce into the pot. Gently toss everything together until well combined.
  10. Transfer the cooked pasta to a serving dish.
  11. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Gluten-Free Brown Rice Pasta Recipe Tips

  • This recipe also works well for white rice pasta. Simply replace it with white rice flour and follow the recipe accordingly.
  • You can use this pasta to replace wheat pasta in many regular recipes for yum times ahead.
  • You may also use xanthan gum for this brown rice pasta recipe if you can’t find guar gum.
  • You can use a pasta maker to shape the pasta. 
  • If you’re using a KitchenAid pasta attachment, use the flat pasta plate. Shape half of the dough into a log and push it through the funnel. Place the other half in a ziplock bag.
  • If your dough is too sticky, add equal parts tapioca starch and brown rice flour to stiffen it.
  • While this particular pasta recipe doesn’t require the use of eggs, some recipes do specify using egg whites to form the pasta dough.
  • You can use any sauce that you’d like for this pasta recipe. Aside from tomato sauce that’s used in regular recipes, some other popular options include meat sauce and white sauce. 
  • While the pasta recipe indicated in this article uses Parmesan cheese, you may use any cheese that you’d like. Non-dairy cheese tastes great with this recipe too. Of course, you may also choose to not add cheese to your pasta.

Final Note

Venturing into the realm of cooking with brown rice pasta offers a gateway to a world of culinary creativity and health-conscious dining. From hearty recipes like chicken and broccoli brown rice pasta to vibrant salads and creamy bakes, the adaptability of pasta knows no bounds. Embracing this gluten-free option not only caters to dietary needs but also enriches our palates with the wholesome goodness of whole grains.

Think this rice pasta recipe tasted great and want to try your hand with other recipes? Check out our collection.