Our easy pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole without cream of mushroom soup will bring you back to your childhood! This cheap Instant Pot recipe comfort food can now be made in no time, but with the same great flavors.
Chunk tuna, noodles, veggies, sauce and cheese is another food group right. 😉 Making it in your oven is a given, but now you can make it quickly using this pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole recipe! Definitely one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes we make several times a month.
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole Recipe
You can make this oldie but goodie in your Crockpot Express, Mealthy or as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe as well. All the brands work basically the same and all have the high pressure function you need.
I used egg noodles and frozen vegetables but you could leave out the peas if you wanted. Prefer canned chicken to canned tuna instead? Swap that out instead if you’d like. It is very versatile. It is kinda’ like an Instant Pot tuna helper type of meal done quick!
Ninja Foodi Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you haven’t tried any Instant Pot casseroles yet they are our favorite because everything cooks together and is done in no time. In fact you’ll love it more because it takes no time at all to make!! In the foodi the only difference is that you use the lid that is not attached.
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and tuna noodle casserole was just a staple dinner that almost all of us had probably every month. It’s a feel good meal that’s creamy and packed with everything for a complete meal right?? As I got older I appreciated a great tuna steak but still it isn’t the same as the creaminess of this dish.
Ingredient Notes
This meal was a staple meal in my era. My mom also made what we call pressure cooker chicken and rice. She had to use the stovetop back then though. Incorporating a vegetable was always important. So, peas are added but optional if you aren’t a fan. Mushrooms bring a great flavor to this recipe too. Those are optional too if you want it just plain with no additional add ins.
Some people only know how to make this with canned or homemade cream of mushroom soup but if you use the ingredients below instead, it comes out better. Often times condensed soups will trigger the burn message so I highly suggest that you make it from scratch as directed below instead.
We like to top it with cheese for added flavor, after all everything is better with cheese right??!! What else could you top this killer meal with? Crushed potato chips is always fun like we did on top of our Pressure cooker Dorito casserole your kids will love You’ll love crushed fried onion strings on top too.
How to Make it Thicker
Most pressure cooker recipes using a creamy sauce takes a few minutes to really thicken up. If you want that outcome then I suggest taking the lid off once it’s done and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. It will need a bit of time to cool before serving anyway so this will allow it to thicken up a bit.
You can always take some sauce out and into a small bowl and whisk some cornstarch into it too, then add back into the pot and stir to thicken it quicker.
I promise you though if you just give it a good 15 minutes to sit it will be as thick as you want it. The next day with some added cheese on top warmed up is a great lunchtime treat too. 😉
Do you cook noodles before putting them in a pressure cooker?
Nope, you can skip that step and add them into your pot right out of the bag. Just make sure your egg noodles are submerged into the liquid or sauce in the pot so they can “boil” to al dente or as tender as you would like. Gently press down so they are coated (not stirred) before sealing the lid.
Pressure Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 can tuna, 8-12 oz. albacore chunk preferred, drained
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper, optional
- 1 cup half and half
- 1.5 cup cheese, optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except for half and half and cheese into your Instant Pot and gently stir together.
- Put lid on and close steam valve.
- Set to pressure high for 3 minutes.
- Do a quick release and open the pot.
- Slowly stir in half and half and cheese (can use less or more cheese depending on your taste). Put lid back on ajar and allow to sit for about 3 minutes so it can thicken up and cheese can melt.
- Then take lid off. The longer it sits the thicker it will become. (you can add some hot liquid in a bowl with some cornstarch then add back into the pot to thicken quicker too) Serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
FAQ
Stored in an airtight container, cooked tuna will last for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. You could freeze it too in covered containers or freezer bags. If you don’t have those cover with aluminum foil.
Of course. If you have leftovers just let them cool to room temperature and store in freezer bags. Lay flat and store for 2-3 months. To reheat leftover tuna noodle casserole allow to thaw out first. Then put into a microwave safe dish and heat in 30 second intervals stirring in between. Add cheese on last round so it melts and makes it creamy again.
Other family friendly recipes you’ll love
We have a version of Crockpot tuna casserole you can try too. If you love this style, try our Instant Pot crack chicken casserole too!
Once you’ve made this you should try these other Instant Pot dinner recipes like this easy deconstructed Pressure cooker lasagna recipe. It is basically an easy way to make a lazy lasagna style dish. Instant Pot taco casserole you can see below. It is creamy and hearty with ground beef or sausage.
What goes well with tuna casserole?
Green veggies like snow peas because the pod adds variety in color and taste. Fresh green beans on the side would also work as they compliment our Instant Pot shrimp boil too. We added mushrooms inside this meal, but could be cooked in butter and served on the side.
Do you have a recipe for “Tuna Noodle Casserole” for moms who don’t have a pressure cooker and will cook it on the stove? I can’t find one and this one looks just like I remember.
You could make this on the stove, cook noodles separate, then add in when done and turn off to sit and thicken.
Hi, try this one. The hubby loves it so much more than any made with canned soup. I scaled it down from 4 servings.
Stove Top Tuna Casserole
Serves 2
4 ounces fettuccine pasta, uncooked
1⁄2 cup celery, sliced
1⁄3 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1⁄2 cup frozen English peas
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed and softened
2⁄3 cup milk
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (6 -1/8 ounce) can solid white tuna, drained* and flaked (* I add the liquid to the pasta cooking water).
1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parsley, fresh, chopped
Cook pasta according to the package directions; drain well, set aside and keep warm.
Cook celery and onion in butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly until tender. Add English peas, stir until warm.
Add cream cheese, milk, salt, and pepper; cook over medium heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in tuna and Parmesan cheese; cook until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
Add pasta and toss well. Cover at low or warm heat until pasta is warmed up. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Serve immediately.
Can you cut this in half for 2 people? Say 6 oz. oodles?
Probably, in the IP you just need to make sure you have enough overall liquid so the burn notice doesn’t come on.
Great recipe! Simple and comforting!!
I sautéed mushrooms, onion, and garlic in the IP with some olive oil. Added the broth, noodles, frozen peas, and tuna stacked in the pot. 5 min pressure, QR, and finished with crushed goldfish crackers. Delicious!!!
So glad you loved it too.
Can you use macaroni noodles?
Totally, may want to add 1 more min. Depends on how soft you want them.
I made it with two cans of tuna, perhaps even more mushrooms than the recipe, and it was fantastic !! Plus it opened the door to other possible casseroles. This really is a “foundation” recipe and a great introduction to what instant pot can do with noodle based dishes .. and in just a few minutes of prep. Many thanks.
I made this exactly as instructed and all I can say is Amazing. Very easy to make and absolutely delicious! Ty for another awesome recipe
Asking again .. what size can of tuna. And really using uncooked mushrooms? Not sauteed? Trying this tonight.
It is really up to you but a regular sized can, 5 oz can is what I have used.
I changed the recipe slightly… Instead of using one can of tuna I used two, and added an extra minute to the cook time. Minor tweaks, but it tasted great! Thanks for the recipe!
So glad!
What size can of tuna did you use?
What kind of cheese do you recommend?
Depends on your preference, cheddar or even jack.
More like this please, easy, not a lot of ingredients, thank you!
…so many are doing Instant Pot recipes with way too many ingredients. You have the right idea, good tasting food without having to go buy out the store ?
Glad I can help!