Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is the easiest way to make tuna casserole without soup. Dump ingredients in, press a button, and enjoy tuna noodle casserole comfort in under 30 minutes.
Instant Pot tuna casserole has become a favorite rescue dinner recipe. Chicken Alfredo is a close second as a convenient comfort. This toss-and-go pressure cooking method is the easiest way to enjoy tuna noodle casserole in under 30 minutes. It's a family-loved budget-friendly dinner recipe where pantry staples really go the distance.
Instant Pot tuna casserole key ingredients
Ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- egg noodles - use plain or whole wheat
- canned tuna - oil or water packed
- peas - use fresh, frozen, or canned
- carrots - use fresh or frozen
- mushrooms - any variety
- chicken broth - or preferred broth
- dried onion - the perfect pantry substitute if you don't have raw onions on hand
- milk - or preferred dairy product
- cheddar cheese - white or yellow cheddar (I use both)
- Parmesan cheese - grated or shredded
How to make Instant Pot tuna casserole
Recipe instructions are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- Chop carrots and mushrooms (or use pre-cut veggies).
- Place egg noodles, tuna, peas, carrots, mushrooms, chicken broth, and onion in the Instant Pot.
- Press ingredients down to submerge in the liquid.
- Close the lid, seal the pressure valve, and pressure cook, followed by a natural pressure release.
- Release remaining steam, open the lid, stir in milk and cheese, and devour!
How is Instant Pot tuna casserole different from old fashioned tuna noodle casserole?
- it's pressure-cooked = no need to heat up the whole kitchen
- uses less dirty dishes
- the pasta cooks with other ingredients = creamier
- dinner's on the table in 30 minutes
- perfect for don't know how to cook or don't like cooking
- hands-free cooking = get stuff done while dinner is being made
- no canned soup = 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 pressure cooker tuna casserole can be this easy and delicious!
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.
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
- 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
Instant Pot dinner recipes we love
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Lasagna Soup For Instant Pot Or Stove
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Italian Sausage Soup With Orzo
- Ham Alfredo Pasta For Instant Pot Or Stove
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
INGREDIENTS
- ½ (12 ounce package) Uncooked Egg Noodles, (about 3 cups)
- 1 (5 ounce can) Tuna, drained
- 1 cup Frozen Peas, or canned or fresh
- 1 medium Carrot, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 ounces Mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoons Dried Onion Flakes, or ¼ cup diced raw onion
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Milk, any variety
- 4 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, shaved, shredded, or fresh grated
- (optional) Lemon, zested and juiced for garnish
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 only one minute), followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). DO NOT SKIP the NPR...the noodles are still cooking.
- Carefully turn the pressure valve to release any remaining steam and open the lid.
- NOTE: You will see a little excess liquid at first, but it helps incorporate the cheese in the next step AND the noodles will soak it up the longer it sits.
- Stir in MILK, CHEDDAR CHEESE, and PARMESAN CHEESE. I used a minimal amount of cheese, so feel free to add more.
- Serve warm with (optional) grated LEMON ZEST and a squeeze of LEMON JUICE.
RECIPE VIDEO
Traci's Recipe Notes
Tuna Casserole Ingredient Substitutions
- Use 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
- Replace egg noodles with regular pasta and pressure cook 1 minute for thin pasta (such as medium shells) or 2 minutes for thicker pasta (elbow, bow tie, rigatoni, etc).
- Vegetable broth in place of chicken broth
- Fresh onion in place of dried onion flakes
- Gluten-free pasta in place of egg noodles
Equipment
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
DeeAnn says
Five stars for flavor!!! I made the recipe as it stated. I did wait the 10 minutes for natural pressure release. The egg noodles were done but I had broth in the pot. My husband and I enjoyed our tuna noodle soup? Maybe I will pressurize for 2 minutes next time. First time ever using my Instapot. We will make this again.
Traci says
Hi DeeAnn, yes there should be some broth in the pot because it helps the cheese along to make it saucy. But if you have soupy results, something else went wrong for you there (which is not uncommon for a first time use). Let me know if you'd like me to help you figure out what went wrong. Thanks!
Bryan says
Amazing recipe! I'm eating it right now and it's sooo good! The only thing I did different was I added a second can of tuna. That may make it too strong of a tuna flavor for some people, but I love it! I will definitely be making this again!
Traci says
Yayyy! I'm so glad you went for it and that you found your sweet spot with the extra tuna 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback. Much appreciated!
Holly says
This was great few tweaks only because I love cheese and garlic lol. I added 2 cans tuna, carrots, peas, mushrooms, onions, minced garlic, cheddar cheese and parmesan. Topped it with fried onions and bacon in air fryer few minutes! Delicious 💖💖
Traci says
Awesome! Sounds like you made it your own 🙂 Glad you enjoyed and thanks for taking the time to leave feedback! Much appreciated!
Teresa says
This recipe is a keeper! So very tasty and so very easy to make. You must try it. Thank you!!
The Kitchen Girl says
Aww thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback and really glad you're enjoying one of our favorite weeknight dinners 🙂 Yay!
Lindsay says
Made this tonight and it’s delicious! Any chance I can freeze the leftovers? I know it’s dicey since the noodles are cooked already but I’m the only one eating it. Thank you!
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm so glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Yes, you can freeze anything in my book, especially if it's in a freezer-safe container. Thanks for the review! Enjoy!
Jeff says
Wow! Another dinner saved by Instant Pot tuna casserole! We were starving at 7pm the other night and needed a quick dinner and we didn't want to "think" while making dinner - just load the pot and wait. Tuna noodle saved the day - again! We doubled it with no changes to the recipe and it was perfection! Thanks KG!
Rebecca says
Can I double this recipe?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya! You sure can ... as long as your Instant Pot is 6 quart or larger. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you. Enjoy!
Lisa says
Okay my IP friends. Made this Monday evening for the second time. Just as fabulous as the first! Do yourself a favor and make this!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awwww nice! I'm so glad you love IP Tuna Casserole as much as we do 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback. Cheers!
Rikki says
Question- is it possible to double this recipe with the same turn out?
The Kitchen Girl says
Yes, but I would cut the 10 minute natural release down to 5 minutes so the noodles don't overcook 🙂 Lmk if you have other questions. Enjoy!!
Linda Vazquez says
Hi I already cooked my pasta before I got the idea to try in my Insta pot is there an adjustment to be made the noodles are already cooked for cooking time or ingredients?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Linda, yes, since the noodles are already cooked, it changes the whole recipe because the pasta cooking liquid, pressure cooking, and timing work together. Since your noodles are cooked, it voids the instructions. At this point, the vegetables could be sauteed and the remaining ingredients added (tuna, milk, seasoning, cooked noodles, some splashes of broth, and cheese folded in), then served. Hope this makes sense 🙂
Margaret says
As delicious as this sounds, and it does… a 1 cup serving is NOT a realistic supper serving. The cholesterol, fats and sodium in 1 cup, let alone 2 cups, makes this something I could never justify trying. Too bad…
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya Margaret, I appreciate the compliment. Please know that I use 1-cup servings to help readers easily visualize the amounts. If I merely said 8 servings, you would have no point of reference for recipe yield or serving amount. Also, I always encourage readers to use their favorite nutrition calculator for accuracy. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Colleen says
Or Margaret you could just not make it and scroll on by..
Katherine says
Comfort food at its best! I have made this recipe twice now. I’m not a big milk fan so I used yogurt once and sour cream this last time. Delicious and easy to make with the Instapot.