Gluten free options are now highly sought after, and thankfully, over the past ten years, the choice, quality, flavour and texture available have all improved dramatically. Having worked in the health industry for many years, I have watched the transformation firsthand, from the days when cardboard-textured, flavourless pasta was the only option, to today’s vast and genuinely enjoyable range. This shift matters because more and more people report reacting to gluten or simply feel better when they avoid it.
The good news is that we have been working hard behind the scenes on a new range of gluten free and gluten friendly pastas, arancini and more, all designed to deliver amazing texture and incredible flavour while remaining quick and easy to prepare.
Gluten Free and Gluten Friendly: What Is the Difference?
Before introducing our new products, it is worth clarifying exactly what these two terms mean, as the distinction matters for anyone managing a gluten sensitivity or coeliac disease.
What Does Gluten Free Mean?
Gluten free means a product contains zero gluten ingredients and carries no risk of cross-contamination. These items are prepared in a kitchen that handles no gluten at all, making them a genuinely safe option for coeliacs.
What Does Gluten Friendly Mean?
Gluten friendly means a product is made with zero gluten ingredients, but within a kitchen that also produces items containing gluten. Gluten friendly products suit those avoiding gluten by lifestyle or dietary choice, but are not intended for anyone who reacts to trace amounts that may occur in the air or find their way into the ingredients.
We believe one of the most important things we can do for our customers is to be completely transparent about which of our products are gluten free and which are gluten friendly, so everyone can make an informed decision based on clear facts.
With that clarified, here is what we have been developing.
Our New Range of Gluten Free and Gluten Friendly Products
Gluten Friendly Pumpkin Feta Arancini
This arancini is crumbed using polenta rather than wheat flour, and while the ingredients themselves are entirely free of gluten, it is cooked in the same oil we use for our arancini that do contain gluten.
Jackfruit Curry Arancini
This is something genuinely new and exciting. In place of a wheat flour coating, we use desiccated coconut on the outside, with jackfruit inside, a wonderfully mild fruit with a meaty texture that takes on flavour beautifully. We have added curry to the mix, and the result is fantastic. Simply heat from frozen in the oven or air fryer, just like the rest of our meals, and it makes a brilliant snack or entertaining option.
Gluten Free Ricotta Spinach Ravioli
This ravioli is certified gluten free and made in a dedicated kitchen containing no gluten whatsoever, making it a safe and reliable choice for coeliacs. The texture is excellent, and honestly, you would never guess it was gluten free.
Our Sauces
All three of our tomato based sauces, along with our pesto, are gluten friendly. They contain no gluten ingredients but are prepared in our main kitchen alongside products that do contain gluten. As it turns out, sauces are considerably easier to make gluten free than pasta.
Macaroni, Gemelli and Spaghetti
We have introduced three new gluten friendly pasta varieties, all fresh frozen and made primarily with corn. These should be cooked directly from frozen rather than thawed first, and the texture has turned out beautifully.
Coming Soon: Gluten Friendly Harvey Beef Lasagna
We have just finished testing a gluten friendly Harvey beef lasagna, and it is genuinely fantastic. It features a new gluten friendly béchamel recipe created by my Sicilian father in law, and it is wonderfully creamy. In our tasting, nobody could tell it was gluten friendly, and it may well give our traditional lasagna a run for its money. Keep an eye out for this one.
Gluten free and gluten friendly cooking is a real passion of mine, and we will continue rolling out new products in this space, so watch this space for more.
Nathan
Founder, Tommy Sugo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gluten free and gluten friendly products?
Gluten free products contain no gluten ingredients and are made in a kitchen with zero gluten present, making them safe for coeliacs. Gluten friendly products also use no gluten ingredients, but are made in a kitchen that also handles gluten.
Are Tommy Sugo’s gluten free products safe for coeliacs?
Yes, our gluten free ricotta spinach ravioli is certified gluten free and made in a dedicated kitchen with no gluten present. This makes it a safe option for those with coeliac disease.
What is the gluten friendly pumpkin feta arancini made with?
It uses polenta for crumbing instead of wheat flour, with zero gluten ingredients in the filling itself. It is cooked in the same oil as our gluten containing arancini, so it is classed as gluten friendly rather than gluten free.
What makes the jackfruit curry arancini different?
It is coated in desiccated coconut instead of wheat flour, filled with mild, meaty textured jackfruit, and seasoned with curry. It can be heated straight from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
How should I cook the gluten free ricotta spinach ravioli?
It should be prepared like our other fresh frozen products, cooked directly rather than thawed beforehand. It is made in a dedicated gluten free kitchen for full peace of mind.
Are Tommy Sugo’s sauces gluten free or gluten friendly?
All three tomato based sauces and our pesto are gluten friendly. They contain no gluten ingredients but are made in our main kitchen, which also produces gluten containing items.
What ingredient is used in the gluten friendly macaroni, gemelli and spaghetti?
Corn is the main ingredient across all three pasta varieties. They are fresh frozen and offer a great texture once cooked.
Should I thaw the gluten friendly pasta before cooking?
No, these pastas should be cooked directly from frozen rather than thawed first. This helps preserve the texture and is how all our fresh frozen meals are designed to be prepared.
What is coming next in Tommy Sugo’s gluten friendly range?
A gluten friendly Harvey beef lasagna is on the way, made with a creamy new béchamel recipe. Further gluten free and gluten friendly products are also in development.
Why does Tommy Sugo distinguish between gluten free and gluten friendly?
Because health is one of the most important factors in a person’s life, we believe customers deserve clear, honest labelling. This allows everyone to make dietary decisions based on accurate information rather than assumptions.
