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Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a one-pot dinner classic! Just drop ingredients in and pressure cook this delicious, comfort meal in under 30 minutes.
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Instant Pot dinner to the rescue
Instant Pot tuna noodle casserole is an absolute rescue dinner for busy weeknights. The toss-and-go pressure cooking method is the easiest way to enjoy the flavor and comfort of a casserole entree in under 30 minutes. It's creamy and dreamy – and, as always, no canned soup is needed.
Instant Pot beginners especially love that there is no pre-cooking ingredients, which simplifies dinner even further. So many of my first-time users have deemed this the recipe that made them fall in love with their pressure cooker because it's straightforward and family-loved. Even kids love this dish, which is quite a compliment.
Why you'll love this recipe
- You won't heat up your kitchen when using a pressure cooker.
- There's no canned soup used in this recipe.
- Everything cooks in one pot, which means there's only one pot to clean.
- Dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes.
- So simple, even non-cooks and IP beginners win dinner!
- The recipe is toss-and go, so it's mostly hands-off.
- It's delicious, creamy, comforting, and family-loved!
Ingredient notes
Ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- egg noodles - Use plain or whole wheat egg noodles. The cooking time is the same.
- canned tuna - Oil-packed or water-packed tuna are equally delicious for this recipe.
- frozen peas - These are convenient, colorful, and hold up well in the Instant Pot. Of course, fresh or canned peas can be used.
- carrots - These add nutrients, color, texture, and flavor.
- mushrooms - These are an essential ingredient needed for
- chicken broth - Or preferred broth.
- dried onion - These are also called dehydrated onions or minced onions and are more convenient than slicing onions.
- milk - Use any dairy milk or even non-dairy liquid such as nut milk.
- cheddar cheese - Use white cheddar, yellow cheddar, or both.
- Parmesan cheese - Grated or shredded
How to make this recipe
Instant Pot tuna casserole makes dinner a breeze in one pot! Enjoy these step-by-step photos, or skip down to the printable recipe below.
Step 1. Place uncooked egg noodles in the Instant Pot. Place tuna, peas, carrots, mushrooms, and onion on top of the noodles. Do not stir the ingredients.
Step 2. Add chicken broth to the cooker. Press ingredients down to submerge noodles in the broth. Close the lid, turn pressure valve to the 'Sealing' position, and pressure cook for 1 minute followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
Step 3. Carefully turn the pressure valve to the 'Venting' position to release any remaining steam. Open the lid. Heads up, it's a little unsightly at this point. Add milk and cheeses. Stir to incorporate. Cover and rest as needed to melt the cheese.
Step 4. Serve and devour!
Recipe tips
- tested and trusted - This pressure cooker recipe is community-tested and trusted exactly as it is written.
- doubling the recipe - You are welcome to double this recipe in the 6 quart Instant Pot, or larger, with no changes to the instructions. However, the total time will take slightly longer.
- freezing instructions - To freeze, allow to cool completely and place in freezer-safe containers for up to 90 days. To thaw, refrigerate overnight OR use microwave defrost settings.
- reheating - I recommend using a medium heat setting on your stove or microwave in 1 to 2 minute increments, stirring as needed.
- ingredient swaps - Visit the recipe variations section for recommendations.
Recipe variations
- Swap egg noodles with a thin semolina pasta, such as pasta shells. If using a thicker pasta, add 1 (one) extra minute of pressure cook time to the recipe instructions.
- Many readers have reported great success with substituting gluten free pasta. Please experiment at your own discretion.
- Substitute frozen carrots for fresh carrots. I recommend adding them after the pressure cook cycle to maintain their texture.
- Use canned salmon or chicken in place of canned tuna.
- Any broth will work for this entree, including turkey stock.
- Substitute any dairy liquid in place of milk.
- Use any shredded cheese in place of cheddar cheese.
- Serve with optional French fried onions, potato chips, or toasted Panko breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.
Instant Pot pasta recipes we love
- Taco Pasta Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Ham and Pea Pasta
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Uncooked Egg Noodles, (about 3 cups)
- 1 (5-ounce can) Tuna, drained
- 1 cup Frozen Peas, thawed
- 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, or heavy cream
- 4 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded or grated
Optional toppings
- Lemon (zest and juice)
- Potato Chips, French Fried Onions, or Toasted Panko
Instructions
- Place EGG NOODLES in the Instant Pot.
- Place remaining ingredients on top of the egg noodles (TUNA, PEAS, CARROTS, MUSHROOMS, ONION, SALT, and PEPPER).
- Pour in CHICKEN BROTH. Do not stir the ingredients, but DO press ingredients down to submerge the noodles.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, close the valve seal, and cook on manual HIGH pressure for 1 minute (yes, only one minute), followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR).Please do not deter from this instruction set if you want perfectly cooked noodles.
- After the 10-minute NPR, carefully turn the pressure valve to release any remaining steam. Carefully open the lid. (It won't look very pretty at first.)NOTE: You'll see a small amount of excess liquid, which is natural and helps incorporate the cheese. It will also be absorbed by the noodles within minutes.
- Add MILK, CHEDDAR CHEESE, and PARMESAN CHEESE. Gently stir to incorporate. Cover and rest as needed to melt the cheese.
- Serve warm with optional toppings.
- To store, allow tuna noodle casserole to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days or up to 90 days in the freezer.
Recipe Notes
- tested and trusted - This pressure cooker recipe is community-tested and trusted exactly as it is written.
- doubling the recipe - This recipe can be doubled in the 6 quart Instant Pot with no changes to the recipe instructions. However, the total time will take slightly longer.
- freezing instructions - To freeze, allow to cool completely and place in freezer-safe containers for up to 90 days. To thaw, refrigerate overnight OR use microwave defrost settings.
- reheating - I recommend using a medium heat setting on your stove or microwave in 1 to 2 minute increments until the entree is warmed through, stirring as needed.
- ingredient swaps - Visit the recipe variations section for recommendations.
Claire says
I was wondering if I could use chickpea pasta (small shells or penne) instead of the egg noodles, and if I should adjust the time?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya, others have reported using chickpea pasta without adjusting the time. Keep in mind that different brands use different flours, so you may need to do some testing. Please do let me know how it goes. Thanks and enjoy!
Claire says
I used a box of Banza corkscrew pasta with no changes and it worked great! Thank you!
Hilary says
Really good I have to admit I unsure as I made it but it was delicious comfort food Than you
The Kitchen Girl says
Well that's perfect! So glad to inspire ... thanks so much!
Loretta Russell says
I am going to try tuna casserole. Sounds delicious!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Loretta! Let me know if you have any questions. We just made it a few days ago ... absolutely love this recipe for convenience and comfort 🙂 Enjoy!
Lisa says
I've made this using tuna several times. Fast, easy, and yummy. My parents and I really enjoy it. My husband will eat it, but doesn't love tuna. My kid hates tuna and refuses to touch it.
So tonight I used a can of chicken. I always increase the carrots. Added one stalk of chopped celery, and a sprinkle of thyme & garlic powder.
He says this is much better than tuna. Kid agrees (even though she's never tried the tuna!). I still prefer tuna for when I visit my folks, but this is a better choice for my husband and daughter.
Thanks again for a great recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Aww you're so welcome and yep, canned chicken is perfect in this too. I love it both ways 🙂 So glad you're enjoying it!
Mary says
This was absolutely delicious. I made it for my parents and my sister and they devoured it. I added an extra can of tuna, thawed peas and carrots (added at the end), and part low-fat cheese mixed with extra sharp cheddar and parmesan. (I didn't use more cheese than the recipe called for and that was a perfect amount! The end result was very creamy.) I added fresh crushed garlic, fresh onion, and a little sprinkle of Bay Seasoning and red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon - which took it to a whole other level. Also, I used whole wheat rotini pasta and kept high pressure for 2 minutes - perfect! This will be made again many times.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome Mary! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like you you really did take Instant Pot tuna casserole to a new level. Love the Old Bay add-in...great idea! I really appreciate your feedback and review. Thanks so much!
Jill Wyatt says
Very good!! I didn't read the notes until I already started my pot, so my frozen peas and carrots were already in the pot. Not sure it mattered cause it turned out great! Will definitely make again.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂
Marcy says
Made this tonight and it was delicious! I didn’t think tuna casserole in the Instant Pot could be as good as in the oven, but I was wrong. I also liked that it didn’t use creamed soup and still turned out creamy.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Marcy ... I'm so glad you tried it and were so pleasantly surprised 🙂 And yep, I tested this recipe many times before getting the consistency just right. I'm happy you enjoyed. Thanks!
Alexa says
If I wanted to triple the amount of tuna but leave the same amount of pasta, how should I modify this recipe - would the broth amount stay the same? I assume I could just add some extra veggies and cheese to account for the extra volume.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya! I think you'll be fine to add the tuna without adding liquid, but be prepared to add a few splashes if it feels like it needs it. As for adding veggies and cheese...that can never hurt 😉 Let me know how it turns out for ya!
Diana says
My daughter, who has Down Syndrome and I made this. Such comfort food, and so easy to prepare! Thank you so much
The Kitchen Girl says
Awww yay Diana! What a great activity for you and your daughter ...so happy to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Amy says
Can you double this recipe? If so, should I double the chicken stock or keep it the same. I have read when doubling some pasta dishes you don’t always double the liquid. I have an 8qt IP. Thank you!
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Amy, I'm not sure which pasta dishes would not require doubling, but this one definitely does require it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy!
Howard says
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.
The Kitchen Girl says
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 🙂
Howard says
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.
The Kitchen Girl says
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
Cathleen says
I have never thought of making this in an Instant Pot!! Wow, what CAN'T the Instant Pot do?
The Kitchen Girl says
Haha right?! This tuna casserole is literally a toss-and-start too! Enjoy!
JB says
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!
Sue says
We don't have an instant pot - can you give us directions for doing this without one?
The Kitchen Girl says
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!
Jen says
Tuna has been a staple here during quarantine - and so has the instant pot. Looking forward to making this!
The Kitchen Girl says
Haha yes!! Same here...glad you can enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks, Jen!
Kushigalu says
Love the combination of ingredients in this casserole. Can't wait to try this for dinner. So delicious
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome...so glad you can enjoy this one, Kushigalu! Thanks!
Dannii says
I love a tuna pasta bake and this is a great idea to do it in the instant pot.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks Dannii! Yes, tuna noodle casserole in the Instant Pot is...game-changer
Elizabeth says
This recipe is total comfort food extraordinaire! My kids love it too, so there's totally Mum points there! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Elizabeth! So glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks for the kind review!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Now this is a dish I am simply going to have to try in my Instant Pot -it sounds absolutely delicious!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Bintu! I don't think I'll ever make tuna casserole any other way Enjoy!!!
Sadia Malik says
Love it so easy to make
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Sadia...glad you think so 🙂
Mirlene says
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.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Mirlene...so glad you can enjoy this 🙂
Chef Mireille says
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!
The Kitchen Girl says
Such a compliment...thank you and glad you think so, Chef!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
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.
The Kitchen Girl says
Haha, thanks Michelle! I totally hear that I'm all in on the pantry recipes
Tawnie Kroll says
We love our instant pot and I was so excited to come across this recipe - delicious! Thank you!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Tawnie...thanks! It's recipes like this easy tuna casserole that make me love my Instant Pot even more!