Tuna Noodle with Stove Top & Classic Casserole Options

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 tuna noodle casserole-style, if preferred. That option is included! 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 several ideas in the updated post below.

This Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle Un-Casserole is Easy Comfort Food

I originally shared this dairy-free tuna noodle recipe over 15 years ago, but it was time for a big update and some new tips. It’s been very popular since it doesn’t require any milk alternatives, coconut milk, or “cream of” soups. And it’s deliciously simple! But I do have add-in ideas and ingredients options below to help make this dairy-free tuna noodle dish your own.

Add-In Ideas

• Sauté some mushrooms in the buttery spread, or add canned mushrooms with the peas.
• Sauté 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 olive 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.
• Add salmon instead of tuna. Again, you can use canned salmon or leftover cooked flaked salmon. Both are delicious!

Choose Your Noodle

If you have them, use egg noodles! They’re a dairy-free classic for tuna noodle casserole. But if you need egg-free, just about any pasta will do. My favorites are short noodles, like corkscrew style pasta (fusilli, gemelli, or cavatappi) or bow ties (farfalle). But my husband prefers linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair noodles. We mix it up! For gluten-free needs, feel free to use your favorite gluten-free noodles. We like Barilla Gluten-Free – they make various types, and all are good.

Purely Pantry Version

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.

Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free 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 use drained and rinsed canned chickpeas and maybe a sprinkle of nori flakes for that sea-worthy vibe. Also use a vegan “chicken” broth.

Alisa Fleming

Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle UnCasserole

4.79 from 23 votes

This quick and easy recipe goes nicely with steamed carrot slices. It's a stove-top dish, but you can bake it in the oven if you prefer a dairy-free tuna casserole. I've included casserole directions in the Notes below.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Calories: 434

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 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
• 1 ½ 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)

Method

 

1. Melt the buttery spread in a skillet or pot over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and whisk until no lumps remain.
3. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the chicken broth and whisk until smooth.
4. Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken broth.
5. Add the flaked tuna, and bring to a boil while continuing to whisk.
6. 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.
7. Whisk in the black pepper. Add the cooked noodles and gently stir until they are well-coated in the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 25.5gFat: 9.6gSaturated Fat: 1.7gSodium: 731mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 5.3gSugar: 3.9gVitamin A: 1170IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle Casserole Style Option: Pour the cooked tuna noodle into a 1 1/2 quart baking or casserole 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 and butter alternative.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

For More Everyday Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!