What we have here is even larger than what is in the title. Let’s all say it together:
Trader Joe’s Sodium Free, Wheat Free, Cholesterol Free, Gluten Free, Organic Brown Rice Penne Pasta
That is quite the mouthful. On the plus side, here are the ingredients: Brown rice, Water. That’s pretty awesome. So we’re guessing that the magic of making brown rice pasta is really in the processing?
I wish that there was a lot more to say about these noodles. Like gluten-free brown rice noodles made by other manufacturers, you have to be careful not to overcook them. What we do is watch and test them a lot when the timer says they should be done. Then when they are just on the cusp of al dente, we pour them into a colander and use cold water to stop the cooking process. The Trader Joe’s Gluten Free noodles end up being a little slimy, so the rinsing and draining process helps with that, too. Then, since we don’t like our pasta cold, we put the drained pasta in a non-stick pan and heat them back up, stirring constantly.
And here they are, gluten-free and steaming hot. Sienna made an awesome marinara sauce for these and added some mushrooms, spices, and Trader Joe’s ground buffalo burger in there.
The Trader Joe’s gluten-free pasta compared well to other brands we have tried, such as the Tinkyada brand gluten-free rice pasta. It’s definitely not as good as “real” pasta made with wheat, and I think we both like the gluten-free quinoa pasta better than any kind of rice pasta we’ve tried yet, but we really liked this pasta.
We want to know: Do you have a favorite gluten-free pasta? For some reason we were surprised that the gluten-free Trader Joe’s pasta compared well to the more expensive brands. Did you notice any difference? Let us know in the comments.
Times we have visited: once (but we feel confident about our score.)
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Price compared to “regular”: We think more expensive
I’m pretty sure the TJ’s brand is just repackaged Tinkyada. It says “product of Canada” on the label and Tinkyada is Canadian.
I LOVE the Tinkyada/TJ’s pasta; I actually think it is incredibly close to wheat pasta (at least the spaghetti – the penne isn’t quite as good.) I’ve fed it to many people and they’ve been none the wiser.
Tinkyada used to be my first choice, then I went onto Jovial, and now my number one pasta choice is Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Penne Pasta. To die for in my book, and definitely better than Tinkyada. I suppose all tastes differ. I believe TJ’s is closer to the real thing, doesn’t get soggy, and has a rubbery texture like real pasta. I haven’t tasted anything besides their penne pasta. Now you have me wanting to do so, though. Thanks for the tip.
I bet you’re right. Very sneaky! I’ve wondered about other Trader Joe’s products being re-packaged versions of others. Thanks for the insight.
I’m not a fan of brown rice pasta, but I like TJ’s better than most other brands I’ve tried. My favorite gluten-free pasta is still the Ancient Harvest quinoa and corn pasta. I just did a pasta review, too! It’s on a different quinoa pasta made with rice flour called Andean Dream. Come check it out if you’re interested in trying new pastas.
My technique for dealing with the slime factor on rice pastas is to cook it until it’s just al dente and then rinse it thoroughly in HOT water. I’ll have to try your method to see if it gets better results. Thanks for the tip!
TJ’s pasta is my favorite for a number of reasons:
it’s organic; it’s a whole grain product (unlike wheat pastas which are usually made from a “white” flour); it’s way cheaper than Tinkiyada; the price hasn’t changed in however many years they’ve been selling it; there’s a longer window of opportunity between being al dente and mush than many other GF pastas. But, mostly I like it because it tastes great! Like Natasha I serve it to guests with never a complaint.
I actually prefer TJ’s spiral pasta shape over the penne. I think it holds its texture a bit better.
I live in Corvallis and we don’t have a TJ’s store, so I stock up on this (and lots of other stuff) when I go to Portland or Eugene. That’s always my last stop on the way home!
I am quite positive that Trader Joe’s is Tinkyada repackaged for TJ.
I love Tinkyada the best so it was great to find them cheaper. It cooks up nicer than other brands and tastes great!!!
I don’t miss wheat pasta at all.
I love penne and brown rice spiral shapes the best and you must rinse them thoroughly with cold water to get rid of the starch.
Don’t overcook or you will get mush with any pasta.
Bon Appetit
I think the TJ’s is Tinkyada too…which when I first went gluten free and tested all the brands out there…Tinkyada came up top of the list. It was the only one that could stay in the fridge overnight and reheat for lunch the next day without getting chalky and mealy. It still had the same texture. And my non-gluten folks like it too.
TJs is **not** Tinkyada by no measure!!!
I’m really grateful Tinkyada was my first experience with Brown Rice Pasta cuz I realize it was easy to get right.
I’ve tried to make TJ’s pasta twice now – once rinsing with cold and another rinsing with hot water as someone mentioned above and it’s the same – the water gets really cloudy, the pasta is chewy – I’m sticking with Tinkyada as much as I love TJ’s!
I do not think it is the Tinkyada. The Trader Joe’s also does not say it is truly gluten free. I had it and reacted to it. So clearly it is being processed around gluten ingredients.
Anna,
I had the same reaction, in that the package does not state gluten-free, so I just emailed them. I saw it listed on their no gluten list online.
i havent tried these noodles yet, but am wanting to now. i have a tip for cooking pasta — instead of rinsing the pasta with cold water, i just drain them and then dress then with my sauce.