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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

    Published: Jul 1, 2021 · Modified: Jul 12, 2021 by Jenny

    Jump to Recipe
    baking dish filled with tuna casserole with egg noodles and peas
    baking dish filled with tuna casserole with egg noodles and peas

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a classic casserole turned into an easy Instant Pot dinner with egg noodles, tuna & peas in a homemade creamy pasta sauce.

    baking dish filled with tuna casserole with egg noodles and peas this recipe

    If you want to sit down to a bowl of comfort, then this Instant Pot Tuna Casserole needs to be on the menu!

    This Instant Pot version of a 1950s classic casserole features wide egg noodles and tender chunks of tuna in a creamy, cheesy sauce with peas and just a hint of parsley.

    I love this one-pot tuna casserole not only for the flavor, but also because of the nostalgia. You simply can't eat tuna casserole without thinking about your childhood! My family never put crushed potato chips on top, but if that's part of your casserole memories than by all means go for it!

    Looking for more canned tuna pasta recipes? Try Tuna Pesto Pasta or Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Only a few minutes of ingredient prep
    • Egg noodles cook in just 2 minutes
    • No canned, condensed sauce - just fresh, simple ingredients
    • Creamy and rich, but not thick and heavy
    • Fresh parsley (or dill) brightens up the dish
    • A one-pot dinner that's on the table in less than 30 minutes!
    baking dish filled with tuna casserole with egg noodles and peas

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Saute onion and garlic in butter
    2. Add water, egg noodles and salt
    3. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes, instant release
    4. Stir in cream cheese, grated cheddar, whole cream and Dijon mustard
    5. Add canned tuna, frozen peas and fresh parsley
    • chopped onions and garlic in a pot
      Step 1: Saute onion and garlic
    • uncooked egg noodles in a pot
      Step 2: Add water, egg noodles & salt
    • uncooked egg noodles and chunks of cream cheese in a pot
      Step 3: Cook noodles, then add cheese, cream and Dijon
    • uncooked egg noodles, canned tuna, frozen peas and parsley in a pot
      Step 4: Add canned tuna, frozen peas and
      fresh parsley

    Questions About Instant Pot Tuna & Egg Noodle Casserole

    Can I Make This Recipe Without Tuna?

    Yes, you can, and you'll end up with a deliciously creamy pasta dish. Yum! Just leave out the tuna and follow all other recipe instructions

    Can I Make Instant Pot Tuna Casserole with Elbow Macaroni?

    Yes, you can. Use 12 ounces of elbow macaroni (¾ of a one pound box or bag of dried pasta). Follow the recipe below with this one change: When you add the pasta to the Instant Pot, only add 3 cups of water and cook the elbow macaroni for 6 minutes on high pressure.

    Can I Use Any Other Types of Pasta?

    Only if you know exactly how much water to add and the correct cooking time for another type of pasta. The 2 minute cooking time and 4 cups of water for 12 ounces of pasta has only been tested for egg noodles.

    One pasta shape to try would be this recipe for Instant Pot orzo. Follow the cooking instructions for orzo, then just stir in the ingredients for this tuna casserole.

    Can I Finish The Noodles in a Casserole Dish with a Crunchy Topping?

    Classic tuna casserole is often baked with either breadcrumbs or crumbled potato chips on top. When you finish cooking this recipe, you can transfer it to a casserole pan and add one of these toppings before serving.

    What Type of Canned Tuna Should I Use?

    I like to use "solid" canned tuna for this recipe, so that the dish has larger pieces of tuna in it. This is different than "chunk" tuna, which has very small/shredded pieces. The label on the can should indicate "solid" or "chunk." Here's a guide from Good Housekeeping about the different types of canned tuna.

    I also used water-packed, because this dish is rich enough and doesn't need any added oil. If you'd like a recipe for oil-packed tuna try Tuna Pesto Pasta.

    Is Canned Tuna Cooked?

    Yes, canned tuna is already cooked and ready to eat. That's why you can add it to this recipe after the pasta has cooked.

    Can I Freeze Tuna Casserole?

    Yes, you can freeze the cooked casserole in a sealed container or you can wrap a casserole dish with several layers of plastic wrap. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat tuna casserole, use the microwave or reheat in the oven in a foil-wrapped dish at 350 F. Add a drizzle of milk or half an half as it reheats to loosen up the noodles and sauce.

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    More Instant Pot Comfort Food

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    Print

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

    casserole dish of egg noodles, tuna and peas
    Print Recipe
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    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a classic 1950s casserole turned into an easy Instant Pot dinner with egg noodles, tuna & peas in creamy pasta sauce. This one-pot dinner is simple but flavorful comfort food made with fresh ingredients. 

    Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 10 minutes to reach pressure + 2 minute cooking time + instant release

    • Author: Jenny Meier | Kitchen Skip blog
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 2
    • Total Time: 12 minutes
    • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Instant Pot
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 shallot or half of an onion, finely chopped
    • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
    • 4 cups water
    • 12 ounces wide or extra wide egg noodles
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (add a generous ¼ teaspoon, and add more to taste later)
    • 4 ounces cream cheese (buy a brick of cream cheese, not whipped)
    • ⅓ cup whole cream
    • 1/2 to 1 cup grated cheddar
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 5-ounce cans solid tuna in water, drained (I used albacore tuna)
    • ½ cup frozen green peas
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill

    Instructions

    1. First, cut the cream cheese into small squares and set it aside so it comes up to room temperature. 
    2. Using the saute function, melt the butter and add shallot/onion. Saute 3 to 5 minutes, just to soften and lightly brown. Don’t let it burn or stick to the pot. 
    3. Add garlic, saute 30 seconds.  
    4. Add water, pasta and salt.  Mix well so that all of the noodles are wet. Try to push the noodles down flat so they’re as close to the water as possible (they won’t be completely covered, which is fine)
    5. Cook on high pressure, for 2 minutes. When the cooking time is done, instantly release the pressure.
    6. Mix well. If there’s some liquid left in the bottom of the pot, that’s okay. 
    7. Stir in the cream cheese, cheddar, whole cream and Dijon mustard. 
    8. Add tuna, frozen peas and parsley. Mix well. Add salt if needed. 

    Notes

    This recipe was made in a 6-quart instant pot

    The frozen peas don’t need to be defrosted. They will defrost quickly when added to the hot pasta. 

    You can use between ½ to 1 cup of grated cheddar, depending on how much cheese you like

    To add a crunchy topping, serve the tuna and noodles in a casserole dish and crumble potato chips on top, or sprinkle browned breadcrumbs on top. 

    Keywords: instant pot tuna casserole, tuna casserole, one-pot tuna casserole

    Please rate and review this recipe!

    Your reviews help other readers. They also help me provide the best recipes possible. Thanks!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. maryanne

      July 01, 2021 at 11:59 am

      I grew up eating tuna noodle casserole and have always had a fondness for it, and I love your addition of mustard and dill! Sounds like a delicious new twist!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Dannii

      July 01, 2021 at 11:24 am

      I love tuna casserole, but I hadn't thought to do it in the instant pot. Such a great idea!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. veenaazmanov

      July 01, 2021 at 10:55 am

      Yummy combination of Tuna and Noodles. This is delicious and one of my Family favorite meal. Perfect Dinner special.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Farah Abumaizar

      July 01, 2021 at 10:34 am

      I am always looking for instant pot recipes, so finding this made me so happy. Can't wait to try this out, looks so easy and comforting!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Denay DeGuzman

      July 01, 2021 at 10:16 am

      Love love this great classic recipe! I had no idea you could make it in an Instant Pot. Adding this now to our monthly meal-plan rotation.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Jenny

        July 01, 2021 at 1:18 pm

        Great, hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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