This simple, dairy-free tuna noodle dish is made on the stove top rather than baked. But you can top it with breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips and bake it casserole-style, if preferred. And don’t be afraid to add some more flavors, like onion, garlic, or any vegetables that you have on hand. This is a basic versatile recipe that is ready for your customization! I’ve included a few ideas below.
This Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle is the Epitome of Easy Comfort Food
I originally shared this dairy-free tuna noodle recipe nearly 15 years ago, but it was time for a big update and some new tips! Here are just a few add-in ideas for making this dairy-free tuna noodle recipe your own. I’ve also included a simple baked casserole option below.
- Saute some mushrooms in the buttery spread, or add canned mushrooms with the peas.
- Saute minced garlic or diced onion with the buttery spread.
- Add a little garlic powder or onion powder to the sauce, to taste.
- Steam some broccoli florets or carrots and stir them in with the pasta.
- Stir in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, roasted red bell pepper, or artichoke hearts with the pasta.
- Add chicken instead of tuna. You can use canned chicken, diced cooked chicken breast, or leftover rotisserie chicken.
Purely Pantry Option
If you don’t have buttery spread on hand, you can use oil. The flavor won’t be quite as rich, but you can add a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and/or onion powder to round out the flavor. And use the canned peas, or other canned vegetables (mushrooms, carrots, etc), instead of fresh or frozen.
Casserole Style Option
Pour the cooked tuna noodle into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Toss 1/2 cup of dairy-free bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted dairy-free buttery spread. Sprinkle the buttery crumbs over the pasta. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes at 400°F, or until the crumbs are browned.
If preferred, you can use crushed potato chips or fried onions in place of the bread crumbs.
Special Diet Notes: Tuna Noodle Un-Casserole
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and soy-free.
For vegan “tuna” noodle, you can substitute a vegan canned tuna, but we prefer to just add drained and rinsed canned chickpeas.
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free buttery spread or sticks
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (can use whole wheat or gluten-free all-purpose flour, if needed)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (6-ounce) can tuna, flaked
- 1½ cups frozen green peas (can sub canned or fresh)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups cooked pasta, drained but not rinsed (can use gluten-free, if needed)
- Melt the buttery spread in a skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk until no lumps remain.
- Add ¼ to ½ cup of the chicken broth and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken broth.
- Add the flaked tuna, and bring to a boil while continuing to whisk.
- Once boiling, add the frozen peas, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the black pepper. Add the cooked noodles and gently stir until they are well-coated in the sauce.
72 Comments
Is the chicken broth the only ingredient that makes up the sauce? Is it ‘creamy’ when finished?
It’s a roux, so the flour and butter alternative contribute to the creaminess of the sauce. It’s not like a white sauce, but more of a rich, lightly creamy sauce. If you want, you can use part milk alternative in place of part of the broth, but you would need to compensate with more seasoning.
Delicious! I needed a quick lunch and was craving classic cheesy tuna casserole. I halved the recipe, used butter and cassava flour, and added some nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor. I used chickpea pasta and didn’t make enough, so it came out a little soupy lol but tasty! I just wish it was a little creamier. Added some coconut cream and it helped.
Can I use tuna in olive oil for this recipe or do I have to get the ones in water only? My husband and I really like the ones in oil.
You can definitely use tuna in oil!
YUM! Thank you for my new go-to tuna and noodle dish!! Next time, I’ll add some onion//noon powder to further enhance the flavor!!
Glad you enjoyed it, and definitely on the onion powder!
My daughter is allergic to whey protein but does fine with butter so we actually made this with real salted butter, mushroom stock, mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and diced carrots. Put in the over with a mix of crushed up stale veggie straws and pea snacks and it was fantastic. Thank you so much I always assumed it would need some milk substitute and the almond milk substitute recipes miss the mark. Kudos to you.
I love the crunchy topping improv! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you! This is delicious! There are several of us in the house who have lactose issues. We can eat butter still (hallelujah!). I added about 1 tbs of onion powder and 1 tbs of garlic powder. This was still creamy without having to use milk or cream!
Next time I might add another can of tuna. Thank you again!
So glad you enjoyed it!
This casserole is a favorite! Making it soy, dairy, and gluten free meets all our needs and tastes amazing.
Awesome! Thank you for your feedback Elizabeth.
Please let me know if this dessert may be made ahead and then frozen. Thanks!
Was your question for another recipe Rose? This isn’t a dessert.
I found this recipe today because I needed something to make for lunch using pasta, tuna, and peas and it needed to be dairy free – Google suggested this. I used two cans of tuna, rice flour (because my BF is also gluten free), GF pasta (didn’t measure it, just cooked the whole box), and a can of peas. For the non-dairy spread I used Earth Balance Original. I was pleasantly surprised at how much it tasted like the tuna noodle casserole I grew up eating. I will definitely be making this again and I’m looking forward to checking out more of your recipes.
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it Amanda! Thank you for sharing your modifications.
I can’t wait to try this! My mum used to put crushed potato chips on top but I’m not sure if this would work with this recipe. Question, if I add all the ingredients, including cooked noodles and put it in a casserole dish, how long do I bake it?
So sorry I missed this comment Kathy! I hope you had the chance to try it. I would top it with the chips and bake it for about 20 minutes or so at 350F.