Dairy free creamy tuna noodles and cheese sauce is easy to make and easy to eat! Creamy, delicious, dairy free comfort food.
I was debating whether or not to post this recipe, because it is simple, but it is a dish that we eat in our house, and I think it’s a very appealing comfort food to children.
When I was growing up I remember having Tuna Noodle Casserole in our family. It was a creamy dish, and I think it had Campbell’s 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.
These creamy tuna noodles aren’t fancy, but they are so yummy!
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Creamy Tuna Noodles with Cheese Sauce - DF and GF
Super easy and super comforting creamy tuna noodles with cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces gluten free pasta penne or macaroni would work
- 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 2 Tablespoon gluten free flour blend
- ½ cup onion diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup non-dairy milk
- 1 cup Daiya shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 ounces light tuna in water drained
Instructions
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Cook gluten free noodles until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
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In a medium saucepan melt the buttery spread, and saute the onion until soft, about five minutes. Stir in the flour and spices.
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Slowly add in the dairy free milk.
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Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils; reduce heat to a simmer, but keep stirring constantly.
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Gradually stir in Daiya cheese.* You will have to really whisk the cheese in so it melts and incorporates into the sauce. Daiya cheese melts nicely, but for the sauce to be smooth, you have to use a little bit of muscle.
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Add the tuna and stir, then add the pasta and stir to combine. Serve hot, season with more salt and pepper if desired.
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We like to top ours with garlic bread crumbs, which are so simple to make. Just saute gluten free breadcrumbs in a skillet with olive oil or vegan buttery spread until crisp and golden. Season with garlic salt.
Creamy tuna noodles are perfect for:
- an easy lunch
- anyone who is avoiding gluten and dairy
- kids and adults alike
One thing that I wondered when I saw Daiya cheese in the store for the first time was, is it even worth trying? How could non-cheese taste like cheese?
Yes, it is totally worth trying. The cheddar is really good, and does have a cheddary flavor. We don’t eat it all the time, but when we are in the mood for something cheesy, I will pick up a bag and add it to a sauce for noodles or melt it over nachos or whatever. It definitely satisfies my cheese cravings when they occur.
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?