Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a 30-minute, hands-free version of classic tuna casserole. This easy dinner recipe is made with egg noodles, tuna, peas, carrots, and mushrooms in a simple, delectable cheesy sauce. Check out my Skillet Tuna Casserole for the stove version.
Instant Pot tuna casserole has become my favorite omg-I-didn't-plan-dinner recipe (Chicken Alfredo is a close second). This creamy, dreamy tuna noodle casserole is the easiest way to get a veggie-loaded dinner on the table with very little effort. It's another one of my budget-friendly dinner recipes where pantry staples really go the distance.
Instant Pot tuna casserole ingredient list
* Get the full recipe below
- egg noodles
- canned tuna
- peas (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- carrots (fresh or frozen)
- mushrooms
- chicken broth
- dried onion (or diced raw onion)
- salt and pepper
- milk
- cheddar cheese
- parmesan cheese
- lemon (optional)
Summary of how to make Instant Pot tuna casserole
* Get the full recipe below
Step 1: Chop carrots and mushrooms (or use pre-cut veggies).
Step 2: Place ingredients in the Instant Pot and press them down to submerge the pasta in the liquid. (I use a potato masher for this)
Step 3: Close the lid, seal the pressure valve, and start the cooker.
Step 4: Let it cook and go make a quick and easy salad.
Step 5: Turn the valve, open the lid, stir in milk and cheese, and devour!
Ok that's the super duper simplified version, but those are the actual steps to get this dinner in the pressure cooker and on the table. So yeah, an Instant Pot beginner will literally rock this recipe!
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How is Instant Pot tuna casserole different from old fashioned tuna casserole?
- pressure-cooked = no need to heat an oven
- one-pot meal = less dirty dishes 🙌🏼
- the pasta cooks right inside the pot with the other ingredients
- on the table in 30 minutes
- perfect for people who hate to cook or don't know how to cook
- hands-free cooking = get stuff done while dinner is being made
- no canned soup used = real food with less salt and more flavor
- perfect for people who literally forget to plan dinner 🙋🏻♀️
You'll be glad to know that the flavor, texture, and tuna casserole dreaminess is all there with Instant Pot Tuna Casserole. It's almost hard to believe that a one-pot pressure cooker meal can be this good!
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Can I freeze tuna casserole?
Absolutely! That is, if there's any left over 😉 Like any casserole, this tuna noodle casserole can be frozen up to 90 days portioned into freezer-safe containers or freezer-safe plastic zip top bags.
To thaw frozen tuna casserole, place casserole portion(s) in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost function on a microwave following manufacturers instructions.
Best noodles for tuna casserole
Egg noodles are the most common pasta for old fashioned tuna casserole. Compared to conventional pasta noodles, egg noodles actually cook a little quicker. But fee free to use regular pasta in place of egg noodles by adding an extra +1 minute of pressure cook time to the recipe (for a total of +2 minutes on high pressure).
If using a gluten free pasta, keep the original pressure cooking time of +1 minute, especially if your pasta is made from beans or legumes, which tend to be more delicate and cook more quickly.
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How to add crispy toppings to Instant Pot tuna casserole
Want that crispy topping like an old fashioned tuna casserole? Use breadcrumbs (lightly coated in olive oil or melted butter), or French fried onions, or potato chips, and either of these 2 methods:
Method 1: Turn the oven broiler to HIGH; transfer the tuna casserole into a baking dish or individual serving dish sprinkled with your choice of topping. Place casserole 6-10" under the broiler until golden brown (about 2 minutes).
Method 2: If you have the Instant Pot air fryer lid, you can sprinkle your toppings over the casserole in the cooker and follow the manufacturers instructions to toast them to your liking.
Ingredient substitutions for tuna casserole
- Heavy cream or half and half in place of milk for a creamier texture and richer flavor (but beware the fat calories)
- Frozen mixed vegetables in place of fresh vegetables (thawed and mixed in after the pressure cook cycle)
- Canned chicken or salmon in place of canned tuna
- Your favorite cheese in place of the cheddar and parmesan
- Regular pasta in place of egg noodles and add 1 minute to the pressure cook time (for a total of 2 minutes)
- Vegetable broth in place of chicken broth
- Fresh onion in place of dried onion flakes
- Gluten-free pasta in place of egg noodles
Recommended Tools
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- Instant Pot
- stirring utensil
- can opener
- air-tight storage containers (to store leftovers)
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Skillet Tuna Casserole
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Italian Sausage Soup With Orzo
- Lasagna Soup For Instant Pot Or Stove
- Ham Alfredo Pasta For Instant Pot Or Stove
- Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta In Lemon Cream Sauce
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Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 oz Egg Noodles same as 3 cups
- 1 5oz can Tuna drained
- 1 cup Frozen Peas or canned or fresh
- 1 large Carrot diced
- 5 whole Mushrooms 4 oz chopped
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Tbsp Dried Onion Flakes or 1/4 cup diced raw onion
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- optional Lemon
RECIPE VIDEO
Recipe Instructions
- Add EGG NOODLES to the Instant Pot. Then cover the noodles with TUNA, PEAS, CARROTS, MUSHROOMS, ONION, SALT, and PEPPER. Pour in CHICKEN BROTH.
- Do not stir the ingredients. Instead, press down to submerge the noodles in the broth. (I like to use a potato masher for this).
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, close the valve seal, and cook on manual HIGH pressure for +1 minute (yes, that’s one minute), followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release (NPR). DO NOT SKIP THIS 10-MIN REST PERIOD.
- Carefully turn the pressure valve to fully depressurize the pot and open the lid.
- Add MILK, CHEDDAR CHEESE, and PARMESAN CHEESE and stir to combine. (feel free to add more cheese if you want it cheesier).
- Serve warm with (optional) grated LEMON ZEST and a squeeze of LEMON JUICE.
RECIPE NOTES
Tuna Casserole Ingredient Substitutions
Heavy cream or half and half in place of milk for a creamier texture and richer flavor (but beware the fat calories) Frozen mixed vegetables in place of fresh vegetables (thawed and mixed in after the pressure cook cycle) Canned chicken or salmon in place of canned tuna Your favorite cheese in place of the cheddar and parmesan Regular pasta in place of egg noodles and add 1 minute to the pressure cook time (for a total of +2 minutes) Vegetable broth in place of chicken broth Fresh onion in place of dried onion flakes Gluten-free pasta in place of egg noodlesTOOLS NEEDED
Nutrition
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I wanted to let you know that I made the tuna casserole again yesterday. I was looking for a can of peas and noticed a can of mixed vegetables on the shelf. I looked at the can - it had the peas and carrots - plus corn, green beans, and lima beans. I thought to myself that would provide even more flavors and textures for the casserole. OK, truth is I saw a lazy way out of chopping up a carrot. So I used the mixed veggies in place of the peas and carrots. It was still wonderful! Probably going to go the mixed veggie route from now on.
Awesome, Howard! Any veggies will work and you can be as lazy as you want 😉 So glad you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for taking the time to review 🙂
I made this yesterday, and was skeptical at first because there just didn't seem to be enough liquid in the pot. However, it came out PERFECT! Thank you.
Yes, Howard...I think that happens to me with every pasta dish in the IP 😂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe. This tuna casserole is def a fav 🤩
I have never thought of making this in an Instant Pot!! Wow, what CAN'T the Instant Pot do???
Haha right?! This tuna casserole is literally a toss-and-start too! 🙌🏼 Enjoy!
Whoah, you turned my favorite childhood meal into the best tuna casserole ever! Lots of flavor, no canned soup, and no mushy noodles EVERY time I make it, which is often. Thanks TKG!
We don't have an instant pot - can you give us directions for doing this without one?
Hi Sue, sorry for my delayed response. Yes, I have a skillet tuna casserole that's very similar. Let me know if you have any questions on it 🤩 Cheers!
Tuna has been a staple here during quarantine - and so has the instant pot. Looking forward to making this!
Haha yes!! Same here...glad you can enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks, Jen!
Love the combination of ingredients in this casserole. Can't wait to try this for dinner. So delicious
Awesome...so glad you can enjoy this one, Kushigalu! Thanks!
I love a tuna pasta bake and this is a great idea to do it in the instant pot.
Thanks Dannii! Yes, tuna noodle casserole in the Instant Pot is...game-changer 🤩
This recipe is total comfort food extraordinaire! My kids love it too, so there's totally Mum points there! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Yay Elizabeth! So glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the kind review!
Now this is a dish I am simply going to have to try in my Instant Pot -it sounds absolutely delicious!
Thanks, Bintu! I don't think I'll ever make tuna casserole any other way 😂 Enjoy!!!
Love it so easy to make
Thanks, Sadia...glad you think so 🙂
My goodness! Talking about comfort food. This is a amazing that I can make this in the instant pot. That's perfect. Thanks for the idea. Will be trying this soon.
Awesome, Mirlene...so glad you can enjoy this 🙂
The variety of vegetables you included in this version of tuna casserole makes it such a healthy and filling one pot meal. Full of protein and nutrients, its a great meal without any guilt!
Such a compliment...thank you and glad you think so, Chef!
Oh, yes. I have been in the "forgot to plan dinner" camp more than once in the last month. I love that this recipe comes straight out of the pantry, so it's there when I haven't shopped.
Haha, thanks Michelle! I totally hear that 😂 I'm all in on the pantry recipes 🙌🏼
We love our instant pot and I was so excited to come across this recipe - delicious! Thank you!
Awesome, Tawnie...thanks! It's recipes like this easy tuna casserole that make me love my Instant Pot even more!