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    Recipes » Recipes

    Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jul 6, 2021 by Dee

    Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with pasta, peas and carrots in a cheesy creamy sauce is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! This homemade tuna casserole recipe is made from scratch without soup or boxed mixes, and it's absolutely delicious! via @meamelInstant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with pasta, peas and carrots in a cheesy creamy sauce is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! This homemade tuna casserole recipe is made from scratch without soup or boxed mixes, and it's absolutely delicious! via @meamel

    Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with pasta, peas and carrots in a cheesy creamy sauce is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! This homemade tuna casserole recipe is made from scratch without soup or boxed mixes, and it's absolutely delicious!

    Jump to Recipe -
    instant pot tuna noodle casserole with frozen peas and carrots in white bowl with cheese and parsley
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole in the Instant Pot
    • Cooking Time
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • More Instant Pot Casseroles
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    If you've ever had old fashioned tuna noodle casserole, you know it's definitely comfort food. Back in the day, my mom made the best tuna noodle casserole recipe and a lot of other recipes with canned tuna, including Tuna Helper and tuna fish patties -- especially during Lent when we ate meatless meals often.

    I make my Instant Pot Tuna Casserole recipe from scratch without cream of mushroom soup. It's super easy, budget friendly and a quick weeknight meal. If you're looking for easy Instant Pot recipes, you'll love this pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole!

    By the way, this easy recipe is done in 30 minutes, with almost no prep work. Best of all, even my pickiest eater liked it!

    Ingredients

    You can make this Instant Pot tuna pasta using pantry staples and ingredients from your fridge and freezer:

    • Canned tuna - I use albacore tuna packed in water
    • Egg noodles -- You can use yolk free pasta if you have it
    • Chicken broth -- for flavor, or vegetable broth
    • Spices -- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried onions or onion powder and herbes de Provence
    • Cheddar cheese -- or cheddar blend, shredded
    • Heavy cream -- or heavy whipping cream
    • Frozen veggies -- I use a blend of frozen peas and carrots or mixed veggies

    How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole in the Instant Pot

    Since the tuna is already cooked, you basically just dump the dry pasta and everything into the electric pressure cooker and press start. But, I'll walk you through this simple recipe, and you can find step-by-step full directions in the printable recipe card.

    First step -- Add the uncooked egg noodles first, then some low sodium chicken broth, chicken stock or vegetable broth.

    You could also use water if you want. I just like the extra flavor you get from using broth.

    egg noodles and tuna in instant pot

    Next, add your drained tuna and the seasonings. I love adding herbes de Provence seasoning blend when I make cook with chicken or turkey, so I used some here. If you can't find it, that's fine.

    It just adds a little extra flavor. You can also use Italian seasoning or dried parsley or just the basic salt, pepper, garlic and dried onions.

    You'll add the cheese and heavy cream after pressure cooking. This helps to avoid getting the burn notice and prevents the dairy products from curdling.

    egg noodles and tuna fish in pressure cooker with spices mix

    Cooking Time

    Egg noodles cook faster than other pasta. So, pressure cook the tuna casserole for 2 minutes on high pressure followed by a quick release.

    If you need to use penne, shells, macaroni or other thicker dried pasta, you'll want to increase the cook time to 4 minutes.

    After pressure cooking, stir in mixed vegetables, heavy cream and shredded cheese. I used a cheddar blend  here, but I like using extra sharp cheddar, colby jack or Monterey jack, too.

    mix shredded cheese and peas and carrots in instant pot casserole

    The tuna mixture might look like it has too much liquid, but don't worry. It will definitely thicken up as it cools down. You can turn off the keep warm setting, and let it sit in the pot or transfer to a serving bowl or dish if you want.

    Tender noodles, flaky tuna and vegetables in a perfectly seasoned creamy sauce. This is definitely the best instant pot tuna casserole out there!

    And that's all, folks! Time to dig in and enjoy this super cheesy one pot meal. You don't even need a side dish, although we love to serve dinner rolls with this delicious family meal.

    pressure cooker tuna casserole on wooden spoon

    Variations

    If you have the Duo Crisp, Ninja Foodi or mealthy crisplid or any pressure cooker that crisps, you can top the casserole with bread crumbs, cracker crumbs or crushed potato chips. Then, spritz a little cooking spray or add melted butter, and crisp it up before serving.

    Or, transfer the cooked tuna casserole to a baking dish (grease with olive oil or butter), add toppings, and bake until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. You can do this in your air fryer toaster oven, as well.

    If you want to add cream of celery soup or another cream soup, you can add it before pressure cooking, but don't stir everything together.

    instant pot tuna casserole in white serving bowl

    How to Store

    When refrigerated in an airtight container, this easy tuna casserole should last for 3 to 4 days -- if it isn't gone by then. Ours is usually gone by the next day! You can always freeze leftovers for longer storage.

    More Instant Pot Casseroles

    • Easy Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Casserole
    • Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole
    • Instant Pot Pierogi Casserole

    Recipe

    instant pot tuna noodle casserole in white bowl with crackers and cheese

    Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole with pasta, peas and carrots in a cheesy creamy sauce is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love! This homemade tuna casserole recipe is made from scratch without soup or boxed mixes, and it's absolutely delicious!
    5 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 17 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 321 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces egg noodles uncooked
    • 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth
    • 10 ounces canned tuna drained, 2 5-oz cans or large 12 ounce can
    • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion flakes or 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence optional
    • 1 cup mixed vegetables thawed
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 3 cups shredded cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Add the egg noodles to the Instant Pot, then pour chicken broth over and around noodles
    • Put drained tuna over noodles, and top with salt, pepper, dried onions, garlic powder and herbes de Provence
    • Place lid on pressure cooker, turn vent to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 2 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then count down and cook. When pot beeps, do a quick release
    • When pin drops, carefully open lid, and stir in mixed vegetables
    • Stir in heavy cream, and gradually stir in cheese, 1 cup at a time. Liquid will thicken as casserole cools

    Notes

    Recipe was made in 6 quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker but can be  made in 8 quart without any adjustments.
    Any shredded cheese can be used here.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 18gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 544mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1345IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 204mgIron: 1.4mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Recipe originally published in 2019 and updated in 2021

    ip tuna  pasta with egg noodles and cheese in a white bowl
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenn says

      October 22, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      I am impressed with how this perfectly cooked the noodles. I used my nonstick pot liner, and no sign of sticking or burning. I stuck close to the recipe but tossed in a can of cream of celery soup I have been trying to use that has sat on my shelf for months. Also was out of dried onion, so I threw in some frozen diced onions as well as the last of some frozen peas, all with the tuna and seasoning. Looking forward to baking the leftovers with some breadcrumb topping.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Nigel says

      June 27, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      I made this with penne noodles because i did not have egg noodles.
      For vegetables i used fresh carrots, celery, half of a large onion and a cup of frozen peas.
      I cooked it all together for 3 mins and did a quick release and used half and cream instead.
      It turned out perfect and tasted awesome.
      Best tuna noodle casserole ever!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 27, 2022 at 8:53 pm

        Thank you so much for the wonderful review!

    3. Monica caldwell says

      June 01, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      Imake it biweekly delicioso5 stars

      Reply
    4. Tina says

      March 03, 2022 at 8:26 am

      Do you need to adjust the cooking time if I half the recipe? There are only 2 of us.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 03, 2022 at 11:30 am

        Hi Tina. The cook time remains the same even when you adjust the amount.

    5. Mac says

      December 09, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      Absolutely delicious and oh so simple to make.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Amy says

      August 12, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      This is the most perfect recipe because it is simple, quick, has good ingredients, doesn’t use canned soup, and always turns out perfect. I’ve used chick pea pasta as well as whole wheat and they’ve both been really good. I did add a few minutes when using whole grain pasta.
      I also end up using 14oz of tuna and 12oz of pasta just because that is the package sizes I have. I just all a little water in addition to the broth.
      Besides hamburgers this is my kids’ favorite dinner! I wish all insta pot recipes were like this one.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 13, 2021 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you SO much for the amazing review, Amy! I'm thrilled that you liked the casserole this much!

    7. Jules says

      July 24, 2021 at 2:03 pm

      I love, love, love, love, LOVE this recipe!! It was raining like crazy, so I wanted a warm and comforting dish, and this definitely did the trick! It was super creamy and flavorful, and even all my kiddos enjoyed it! I know I’ll be making this dish again in the future:)5 stars

      Reply
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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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