These dairy free creamy tuna noodles are easy to make and even easier to eat. This satisfying pasta dish is simply delicious, creamy, hearty, comfort food.
When I was growing up I remember having tuna noodle casserole for dinner. It was a creamy dish, and I think it had canned cream of mushroom soup in it, and potato chips on top. We also had tuna melts, which I really loved, and which also involved creamed soup. This recipe for creamy tuna noodles reminds me of those recipes from my childhood.
Even though those ingredients aren’t safe for us anymore, we can still enjoy creamy comfort food. There are many good options for dairy free cheese and milk, as well as gluten free noodles.
After some tinkering, I have a recipe that I love for creamy, cheesy, tuna pasta that’s dairy free and gluten free.
Ingredient Notes
- Gluten Free Pasta – There are many brands of gluten free pasta available today. Some brands to check out are Ancient Harvest, Jovial, and Tinkyada. I find the texture and flavor of these brands to be very good.
- Non-Dairy Milk – Use a neutral tasting plant based milk that works for your dietary needs.
- Dairy Free Cheese – There are lots of options for dairy free cheese. I like using a cheddar flavored dairy free cheese in this recipe.
- Tuna – Canned light tuna works well here – be sure to drain it before adding it to the pasta.
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook the gluten free pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chopped onion in vegan buttery spread. Once it is soft, whisk in the gluten free flour. Then add the non-dairy milk, and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add the dairy free cheese and the seasonings. Stir well until the cheese melts.
- Stir in the drained tuna.
- Add the gluten free pasta to the pot, and stir well to coat.
- Serve immediately, and top with gluten free garlic breadcrumbs if desired.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 3 days.
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Recipe
Creamy Tuna Noodles (Gluten Free, Dairy Free).
Ingredients
- 8 ounces gluten free pasta penne, rotini, or macaroni would all work well
- 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 2 Tablespoon gluten free flour blend
- 1 ¼ cup non-dairy milk
- ½ cup onion diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup dairy free cheese
- 10 ounces light tuna in water drained
- 1 cup gluten free garlic bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cook the gluten free pasta according to package directions. Once it's done, drain it and set it aside.
- While the pasta cookies, in a medium saucepan melt the buttery spread, and saute the onion until soft, about five minutes. Stir in the gluten free flour and cook for about 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly add in the dairy free milk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture almost boils; reduce heat to a simmer, but keep stirring constantly.
- Gradually stir in the dairy free cheese. Add the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese melts.
- Add the tuna and stir, then add the pasta and stir to combine.
- Top with bread crumbs if desired. You could also top this with crushed gluten free crackers or potato chips.
D
This was so comforting!
Stacy
Please help!
What if you can’t have daiya because of nightshade issues? I can eat Manchego cheese, would that work?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, any cheese substitute or real cheese that works for your diet should be fine in this recipe.
Mary
Was easy and very tasty. Thanks so much.
Katie
Delicious recipe!
Nancy D
Hi, Kelly!
I too have children with multiple food sensitivities and am a nursing mom as well right now. I really appreciate your 31 Days of GF, DF, Soy Free, and Egg free recipes! I’ve come up with a few of my own over the past 4 years…. You know what say,they say, “Necessity is the mother of invention”!
I have a couple of questionsfor you. First, your tuna noodle recipe; where do you get soy free tuna and what brand do i look for? It has probably been 3 years since I’ve had tuna bc finding soy free tuna has been a challenge. When I did find it it was something like $7 for a 6 oz can. Crazy!!! There are 6 good eaters in my family so this is quite expensive. Have you found a better deal on soy free tuna somewhere?
Next: I often worry about nutrition, realizing that unless we eat we eat simply, as in just a meat and plain veggie sides… which we are TOTALLY tired of, then our diet is high glycemic,has no variety, and really is no different than the SAD, especially if we replace foods we have an issue with with allergen friendly/free versions of the same, which are often loaded with unhealthy fats, fillers, preservatives, and high glycemic ingredients. I do not want to trade one health problem for another or miss out on nutrition bc of a lack of variety in ingredients or meals. What does your family do to get around these issues???
Kelly Roenicke
Whole Foods has a soy free tuna, but I know it’s expensive! :( I know it really frustrates me that some allergy friendly options have so many “fake” ingredients. We just do the best we can. I try to have my boys eat a lot of fruit and veggies, and I will hide some in baked goods as well. The double chocolate sweet potato cookies and the skillet brownie are big hits over here. We just try to balance it out. It’s difficult, I know!
Lisa Howard
This sound delicious…pure comfort food. But I’m not sure about the non-dairy cheese. I’m such an adventurer…until it comes to food. haha! Seriously, I am willing to try most anything but I’ve never been a fan of dairy in general, other than cheese. It is a mental thing for me. Does Daiya really taste like cheese?