This is the Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Mom used to make but it’s Gluten Free!!! Creamy, cheesy with traditional ingredients like mixed vegetables, tuna and diced mushrooms it’s the classic you remember…just gluten free! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will love. If you’re lucky, there may even be some leftover to eat for lunch the next day… but don’t get your hopes up… it’s really really good!
Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole – Gluten Free
When I was growing up one of my favorite dinners was Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole. My Mother (z”l) used to whip it up with her secret “patented” recipe on nights where life was especially rushed. When I “grew up” and had kids of my own I often turned to my Mother’s classic recipe. It’s a family favorite.Sadly, Mom’s recipe is seriously glutenous and I haven’t been able to enjoy the comforting creation that reminds me of my childhood.Until now.
Just like Mom used to make but Gluten Free!
Making Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Gluten Free
Over the years I’ve tried several methods to imitate the “oldie but goodie”. One attempt included using the Daiya Deluxe Cheezy Mac and adding stuff to it. It was really good but it didn’t make a lot and I felt it was high in fat and calories and was extremely costly as well.
Searching for gluten free cheese powder
One of the ingredients I like to add to my Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is the cheese powder package that sometimes comes in macaroni and cheese boxes. It’s hard to find kosher versions of this that are gluten free. There are some on the market but they are often very expensive.
Jovial Mac & Cheese is a great example. It may be tasty but it gets expensive to use several boxes in this casserole.
After a lot of research I found one by Z Natural Foods. A whole pound is pretty reasonably priced and goes a long way. I tried it in my first attempt at my gluten free Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole and it was a huge success.
The Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole but made with gluten free ingredients.
But.. What if you don’t want to use gluten free Cheddar Cheese Powder in Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you don’t want to purchase a bag of the cheddar cheese powder, don’t worry. Even though the recipe is best with the powder, I developed a second version of the recipe that uses only shredded cheddar. It’s super cheesy and delicious, just not exactly the same as the Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole I grew up with.
Cheesy Cheddar Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole…check out how incredibly cheesy it is!!!
Using good quality tuna… or not
For this version of the recipe I used a canned tuna that my nutritionist recommended by Safe Catch. I get the 6 pack Ahi Wild Yelowfin Tuna at Costco so it’s a little cheaper. It’s high in protein, more Omega 3’s, Mercury tested and certified ok by the American Pregnancy association. It also tastes great.While this may be what I used in this version of the recipe, Mom, and nearly everyone’s mom used canned Starkist or Chicken of the Sea – whichever was cheaper. If you feel like being a traditionalist – go for it. It will remind you of your childhood.
You can see the chunks of most excellent quality tuna peeking out from the macaroni. Delicious and good for you too!
Mixing up the pasta shapes
I like mixing up the shapes of the pasta. It’s more fun and seems to taste better lol. I ended up using a ratio of 8-ounces gluten free macaroni (store brand or Barilla) to 4-ounces of Ancient Harvest mini shell pasta. You can absolutely use only macaroni like Yankee Doodle did.
The Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is way more fun with different shaped pasta. It’s the perfect quick dinner whichever pasta you use!
Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole – Gluten Free
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
- Diet: Kosher
Description
This is the Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole Mom used to make but it’s Gluten Free!!! Creamy, cheesy with traditional ingredients like mixed vegetables, tuna and diced mushrooms it’s the classic you remember…just gluten free! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will love. If you’re lucky, there may even be some leftover to eat for lunch the next day… but don’t get your hopes up… it’s really really good!
Ingredients
For Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole and Cheddar Cheesy Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
- 12 ounces gluten free macaroni (can be different shapes)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons gluten free 1:1 flour (I like Bob’s Red Mill blue bag)
- 1 cup 2% milk
For Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
- 4 slices American cheese, torn into pieces
- 1/3 cup powdered white cheddar cheese
For Cheddar Cheesy Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
For Both Recipes
- 3 (5-ounce) cans tuna, drained
- 16 ounces mixed vegetables
- 1 (10-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained and chopped
- gluten free panko crumbs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
For Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole and Cheddar Cheesy Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Cook noodles according to package directions in a large stock pot. Drain and set aside.
- Using the same stock pot used for the noodles, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour all at once and whisk until the flour and the butter are completely combined.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until smooth with no lumps.
- Whisk in the cheese based upon the recipe you’re making (sliced cheese and cheese powder) or (shredded cheddar) until melted and smooth.
- Transfer the drained macaroni to the pot and stir to coat with the cheese sauce.
- Add the tuna, mixed vegetables and chopped mushrooms. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle panko crumbs over the casserole and serve hot.
Equipment
Barilla Gluten Free Elbow Macaroni
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Safe Catch Wild Ahi Yellowfin Tuna
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Z- Natural White Cheddar Cheese Powder
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You can reduce the fat and calories of this recipe by using skim milk and lower fat cheese.
Either recipe is great. The Cheddar Cheesy Classic is a cheesier version of the original and is included for those that don’t have the White Cheddar Cheese Powder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 346
- Sugar: 3.6 g
- Sodium: 523.2 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.6 g
- Fiber: 3.7 g
- Protein: 26.4 g
- Cholesterol: 46.3 mg
More Perfect Pasta Recipes
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Still looking for some help on how to make your wonderful Hush Brown Potato Kugel gluten free!!!
Hi Toby. The best way to make the Hash Brown Potato Kugel Gluten free is to substitute Gluten Free 1:1 flour or potato starch in exactly the same volume as traditional flour. It works extremely well gluten free. Hope this helps. Sharon