A Tuna pasta recipe made in Sri Lankan style with coconut milk.
looking for a tuna spaghetti dish that is dairy-free and yet creamy?
Then you need to try this stove-top creamy pasta with canned tuna with loads of curr flavor and a hint of spiciness that everyone in your family will love.
Making a dairy-free pasta recipe creamy without cheese.
It’s creamy without any cheese or dairy.
That’s right, I’m not using cheese or dairy products used in this recipe to give the sauce its thickness and creamy texture.
Instead, I use thick coconut milk to make this delicious creamy non-dairy pasta sauce.
If you are in a hurry to make dinner or even simple lunch then try making this easy stove-top pasta dish.
If you are a regular curry maker, you’ll definitely have all the ingredients you need in your pantry to make it.

A curry tuna pasta dish Sri Lankan style.
All you Italian food lovers!
Please don’t hate me but I’ve added my twist to this dish, turning it into one of my versions of a classic and popular casserole pasta with tuna dish.

Pasta and canned tuna recipe equal a family favorite dinner.
Don’t be surprised by the ingredients and wonder if they will taste good or not in a tuna pasta dish.
I’ve been making this creamy tuna pasta casserole for my family for a long, long time.
Over the years I’ve tweaked the pasta dish to give it a Sri Lankan twist to make it an easy dinner favorite with my kids.
All I’m asking is you give it a try and let me know how you like it.
By the way, this tuna pasta dish can easily be adapted to a school lunch box meal as well.
SAVE THE RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD

Reader’s reviews for the canned tuna pasta dish.
- “Absolutely loved this dish. Sri Lankanized pasta. Pls, post more recipes related to pasta and noodles”
- “I was looking for a pasta recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!”.
- “Fantastic dish!! I absolutely loved it. Full of flavor and so easy to make. I was looking for a non-dairy recipe as we are on a detox, no dairy for 8 weeks. So we will be having this again a lot! I will be saving this recipe and sharing it, so happy, Thank you”.
You can find the original in the comment section below.
More pasta recipes.
Spicy penne pasta(penne arrabbiata).
pasta in coconut curry sauce/ Dairy-free.
Can I use a different type of pasta for this canned tuna pasta dish?
Yes, penne, shells, elbow, and tie pasta are the types that are ideal for the recipe.
Can I substitute tuna with any other type of canned fish?
No, I would suggest NOT using any other type of canned fish except tuna.
Storing– Store in an airtight container once the pasta cools down. the tuna pasta has curry and this may stain your new containers. use glass containers with lids or old containers you won’t mind staining.
Reheating– you can heat over the stovetop, the tuna curry pasta might be dry as you take it out of the fridge.
Add a few tablespoons of water or coconut milk to bring back the consistency.
Refrigerating and freezing– if refrigerated consume within 48 hours. avoid freezing.
Stop food waste by-perfect for a family of 6 as this tuna pasta yields a lot. so make as much as you need.
RECIPE DIFFICULTY- LITTLE CARE NEEDED.
stove-top creamy tuna pasta dish(no-dairy recipe).
Please make sure to read the recipe instructions carefully to avoid mistakes.
Ingredients
The ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
A pack of fettuccine pasta(see notes above on other types of pasta to use)
3-5 tablespoons of oil
2 medium-sized onions sliced fine
4 cloves of garlic minced
1 large carrot grated
100g of green beans sliced thin
1 large tomato sliced fine
2 green chillies finely sliced
1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 tablespoon of curry powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
1/2 teaspoon of pepper powder
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup
1/2 cup of thick coconut milk
2 cans of tuna(2 180g of tuna cans should do)
Method
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions, drain and set aside.
How to make the dairy-free, coconut milk pasta sauce.
Place a large pan or wok over medium heat and pour in the oil(3-5tbs).
Add onion slices(2 medium) and garlic(4)to the oil, cook 3-5 minutes until both ingredients turn slightly brown.
Add beans(100g), grated carrots(1 large shredded), tomato slices(1), green chillies(2), turmeric powder(1/2 tbs), garam masala(1/2tsp), curry powder(1 tbs), pepper(1/2 tsp).
Add the ingredients in the given order. combine and cook all ingredients for 3 minutes over medium heat.
keep mixing them as you add to avoid burning.
Once the above-mentioned spices, add tomato paste(1 tbs), tomato ketchup(2 tbs), and salt to season.
Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for a further 5 minutes.
Add tuna flecks(drain first)into the pan(2 cans), continue cooking over low heat for another 3 minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk(1/2cup), cover with a lid.
Cook until you have a creamy thick pasta sauce flavored with all the ingredients you’ve added so far. this would take a little over 10 minutes.
The final result should be a thick coconut cream sauce that can easily coat the pasta.
Make sure you have the seasoning balanced at this stage, adjust the taste by adding a little more salt, pepper, ketchup sauce, and curry powder to suit your taste.
Once the sauce is reduced and thick, add in the fettuccine pasta and combine well, serve warm.
Join me on islandsmile youtube channel.
Made this recipe? great!
If you are a regular on the blog and would love to help me grow, here’s how you do it.
*When you make the recipe, please do leave a review and a rating on the recipe card.
*subscribe if possible.
*Catch my mistakes and send me a scolding to correct them.
*Spread the word, share links to my recipes with your friends and family. every little thing you do helps me grow the site.

Stove-top creamy tuna pasta dish(Sri Lankan style,no dairy).
A one-pot, creamy pasta with tuna dish made without cream or cheese.
An easy pasta stovetop dinner can be as easy as making this simple non-dairy dish with loads of curry flavor and just enough heat.
Ingredients
- Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
- A pack of fettuccine pasta(see notes above on other types of pasta to use)
- 3-5 tablespoons of oil
- 2 medium-sized onions sliced fine
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 large carrot grated
- 100g of green beans sliced thin
- 1 large tomato sliced fine
- 2 green chillies finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon of pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup
- 1/2 cup of thick coconut milk
- 2 cans of tuna
Instructions
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions, drain and set aside.
How to make the dairy-free, coconut milk pasta sauce.
Place a large pan or wok over medium heat and pour in the oil(3-5tbs).
Add onion slices(2 medium) and garlic(4)to the oil, cook 3-5 minutes until both ingredients turn slightly brown.
Add beans(100g), grated carrots(1 large shredded), tomato slices(1), green chillies(2), turmeric powder(1/2 tbs), garam masala(1/2tsp), curry powder(1 tbs), pepper(1/2 tsp).
Add the ingredients in the given order. combine and cook all ingredients for 3 minutes over medium heat.
keep mixing them as you add to avoid burning.
Once the above-mentioned spices, add tomato paste(1 tbs), tomato ketchup(2 tbs), and salt to season.
Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for a further 5 minutes.
Add tuna flecks(drain first)into the pan(2 cans), continue cooking over low heat for another 3 minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk(1/2cup), cover with a lid.
Cook until you have a creamy thick pasta sauce flavored with all the ingredients you’ve added so far. this would take a little over 10 minutes.
The final result should be a thick coconut cream sauce that can easily coat the pasta.
Make sure you have the seasoning balanced at this stage, adjust the taste by adding a little more salt, pepper, ketchup sauce, and curry powder to suit your taste.
Once the sauce is reduced and thick, add in the fettuccine pasta and combine well, serve warm.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 444Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 123mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 6gSugar: 9gProtein: 19g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.
Each recipe on this blog has been written with great care and love to the best of my ability with you in mind.
It’s free and on the blog, for you to try anytime.
All I ask is that you do not save it on any apps, recipe boxes or online groups which will affect me as a food blogger and the growth of this blog.
I would appreciate if you only share the link rather than the full recipe.
All images and text on this website are protected by copyright.
Emily
Wednesday 31st of May 2023
Hi, can’t wait to make this. Can I use coconut cream? And how much of it. Thank you
jehan
Friday 2nd of June 2023
Hi Emily, yes I think you can use coconut cream, may be add 1/4 cup water to 1 cup of coconut cream so it becomes a pourable consistency. depending on how much pasta you will be cooking the amount can change. regards j
Loretta Kaval
Sunday 18th of April 2021
This looks good for my non dairy daughter. You say 2 cans of tuna, but what size? I'm thinking you are in the US? In Australia there are different size cans. Could you let me know the weight of tuna you recommend, Thanks Loretta
Loretta Kaval
Monday 3rd of May 2021
@jehan, Thank you!
jehan
Monday 19th of April 2021
Hi Loretta, I'm from Sri Lanka, will amend the recipe to include the size of the tuna can as I didn't realize there was a larger can available. I used 180g cans should do. hope this helps. regards J
Lynda Jane Turner
Wednesday 14th of August 2019
Fantastic dish!! Absolutely loved it. Full of flavour and so easy to make. I was looking for a non dairy recipe as we are on a detox, no dairy for 8 weeks. So we will be having this again a lot! I will be saving this recipe and sharing it, so happy, Thank you.
jehan
Wednesday 14th of August 2019
Hi Lynda, Thank you! I like to make this tuna pasta for guests who don't eat chicken or beef. I've served it with spicy tomato salsa bruschettas for a simple meal. appreciate if you could rate the recipe so other's could find it as well.
Kate Berkey
Saturday 13th of April 2019
I was looking for a pasta recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!
Ilma Sharaz
Monday 7th of January 2019
absolutely loved this dish . Sri Lankanized pasta. Pls post more recipes related to pasta and noodles