Timing Is Everything

• Quinoa pasta takes less time to cook than durum wheat pasta. If you boil it as long as you would regular pasta, you'll be left eating unappetizing mush for dinner. Different brands will have slightly different cooking times, so be sure to check the package for directions, but it will usually take around 6 to 9 minutes. Your pasta should be soft, but still have a little bite to it.

Sticky Situation

• Like other gluten-free varieties, quinoa pasta is more likely to stick to the pan and itself. When you first add it to your pot of boiling water, stir it constantly for around 30 seconds to stop the noodles from settling to the bottom of the pan and getting stuck. Stir occasionally for the rest of the cooking time. Boiling your quinoa pasta in a large pot, containing about 5 or 6 quarts of water, will give it more room and make the noodles less likely to stick to each other.

Marinara Madness

• Just like its regular durum wheat counterpart, quinoa pasta goes well with a classic tomato marinara sauce. While you can go with a purchased variety, you'll notice the difference if you have the time to make your own from scratch. A classic marinara sauce only needs to contain onion, garlic, canned or fresh tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh or dried herbs, such as basil, thyme or oregano.

Veggies Galore

• Go for a fresh, healthy and light pasta dish by combining your quinoa noodles with various combinations of roasted or sauteed vegetables and a dash of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice. Possible combinations include sauteed garlic, mushrooms, olives and spinach; roasted red onions, bell peppers and zucchini; or sauteed onion, peas, asparagus and fresh parsley.