Pasta Sticky

[Chrissyb]

I need help no matter what I do my pasta always comes out mushy or sticky. I use brown or white rice pasta. I cook it to the instructions on the package, I have tried cooking it less time then on the package but no avial not matter what I do I never comes out right, any ideas.

Chrissy

[jerseyangel]

Are you using a big pot of water? The rice pastas especially need a lot of water.

[GlutenGalAZ]

I had trouble in the beginning too with rice pasta. Figured out that you need a big pot like jerseyangel mentioned and also move them around a lot the first couple of minutes or they will want to stick together (mainly true with the spaghetti noodles) I have seen this with all of the gluten free spaghetti noodles I have tried. When you drain them rinse the noodles with water in the strainer.

Have you tried a little salt, butter or pam in the pot?

Thai Kitchen has rice noodles, they are really easy to make and I have never had a problem with them. I like Ancient Harvest right now for spaghetti noodles. Going to try the Tinkyada brand soon (bought a spiral bag to try baked mac and cheese).

Good Luck.

[purple]

I have only tried Tinkyada and have had no trouble. However my daughter said she didn't like the curly noodles frozen and thawed. I made chicken alfredo and froze some for her so I never tried them thawed. Be sure to rinse them.

[tom]

I stir a lot and definitely the rinsing is crucial. Rice pasta gets a starchy coating much more than regular pasta.

Wondering whether everyone rinses w/ cold water, as I'd heard it's also important to stop its own heat from continuing to cook itself.

[jerseyangel]

I rinse with hot water, or not at all just because I don't want the finished dish to get cold. Of course, if you were doing a cold salad or something, it wouldn't matter.

I also start testing for doneness a good 5 minutes or more before it's supposed to be done. The cooking times on the package, I've found, are too long. Draining it (I've only ever used Tinkyada) while it's al dente also seems to cut down on the starchiness.

It's one of those things that you have to tinker with until you hit on the method that works the way you like it.

[imsohungry]

As others have said...not overcooking your pasta, draining, and rinsing will help with the mushiness.

If the pasta continues to stick, try adding 1/2 tsp oil or 1/4 tsp vinager while it boils/simmers. That should help it "unclump."

Happy baking.

-Julie

[Katsby]

I've had bad experiences too. I didn't really like the texture of the finished product. I see that a lot of people recommend Tinkyada, but I bought De Boles at Kroger, and it just didn't taste very good I hope you have better luck. The advice given so far sounds pretty good.

[purple]

I have always put oil in my wheat pasta so I forgot to mention that earlier. I automatically put oil in the rice pasta too. With wheat my spaghetti would always clump together until I learned to use some oil. I then I would stir it a few times to keep it separated.

[munkee41182]

I've had bad experiences too. I didn't really like the texture of the finished product. I see that a lot of people recommend Tinkyada, but I bought De Boles at Kroger, and it just didn't taste very good I hope you have better luck. The advice given so far sounds pretty good.

I've tried De Boles before and wasn't a fan. Tinkyada is def my favorite! De Boles just fell apart on me and Tinyada holds up more like pasta should. I definitely don't cook the pasta for the entire time on the package either. As others have said, pasta is something you need to play with until you get it just right. Good luck!