Right then, let’s talk about my little adventure with Tesco’s gluten-free pasta. It’s something I’ve been meaning to try for a while, mainly because I’ve been feeling a bit, you know, sluggish after regular pasta lately. Thought I’d give my gut a bit of a break.
The Hunt at Tesco
So, off I went to my local Tesco. Navigating the aisles, as you do. I headed straight for the pasta section, expecting a bit of a search, but actually, it wasn’t too bad. They have a dedicated “Free From” aisle, which is pretty handy, but sometimes they also sneak bits and bobs into the regular sections. This time, though, the gluten-free pasta was clearly marked. Found it! Several types, actually. I grabbed a bag of their own brand penne – seemed like a safe bet to start with.
The packaging was alright, nothing fancy, but it told me what I needed to know. Price-wise, a bit more than the regular stuff, which is usually the case with gluten-free options, isn’t it? But not outrageously so, which was a plus.
Cooking Up a Storm (or just some pasta)
Got home, and later that week, decided it was pasta night. I read the instructions on the packet – usually do, especially with something new. They said to boil it for about 8-10 minutes, pretty standard. So, I got the big pot out, salted the water, brought it to a rolling boil, and tipped the pasta in. Gave it a good stir to stop it from sticking, which is always a good move with any pasta, gluten-free or not.
I kept an eye on it. Sometimes gluten-free pasta can be a bit temperamental – either it goes mushy or stays too hard. I tested a piece around the 8-minute mark. It was nearly there. Gave it another minute or two. Pro tip: always taste it to see if it’s done to your liking.
The Moment of Truth: Taste and Texture
Once cooked, I drained it. The texture looked pretty good, actually. It hadn’t disintegrated into a starchy mess, which I’ve had happen with some other brands in the past. I decided to keep it simple for the first try, just a basic tomato and basil sauce I whipped up.
And the taste? Honestly, it was pretty decent! It wasn’t exactly like regular wheat pasta, let’s be real. There’s a slight difference in texture, maybe a tiny bit denser, or perhaps a little less… “stretchy”? It’s hard to describe. But it wasn’t unpleasant at all. It held the sauce well, which is crucial. No weird aftertaste, which is a big win for gluten-free stuff.
- Cooked pretty easily.
- Texture was surprisingly good.
- Held the sauce well.
- No strange aftertaste.
Final Thoughts: Would I Buy It Again?
Yeah, I think I would. For a supermarket own-brand gluten-free pasta, Tesco’s version did a solid job. It’s a perfectly acceptable alternative if you’re avoiding gluten, or just fancy a change. It’s not going to fool a die-hard Italian pasta purist, maybe, but for a regular weeknight meal, it definitely hit the spot.
So, if you’re in Tesco and wondering about their gluten-free pasta, I’d say give it a go. It’s a thumbs up from me for a basic, no-fuss option. Made a nice change and my stomach felt pretty good afterwards, which was the main goal, really.