Pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole will bring you back to your childhood! This comfort food you love can now be made in your Instant Pot for dinner in no time. Loaded with all the ingredients you once made in your oven. It’s a cheap Instant Pot recipe you can make in as a Ninja Foodi recipe too.
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 here on The Typical Mom. (affiliate links present)
Table of Contents
- Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
- Pressure Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Ninja Foodi Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Tuna Helper Instant Pot
- Do you cook noodles before putting them in a pressure cooker?
- What goes well with tuna casserole?
- What is in tuna helper?
- Can you cook egg noodles in an Instant Pot?
- Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
- What are the ingredients in tuna noodle casserole?
- Ninja Foodi Tuna Casserole
- How do you make Instant Pot tuna casserole without soup?
- Pressure Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
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!
If you are new to pressure cooking we have a lot of easy one pot meal recipes for you here. To begin with let’s start with a few basic tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We add new ones each week!
- Then PRINT this —–> Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet that will help you understand how long meat, vegetables and beans take to cook in your pressure cooker.
- I HIGHLY recommend you buy this non stick pot.
- You should know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing but it won’t have as many issues with this better liner.
For reference, this is the model I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.
Pressure Cooker 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!!
- 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.
Ninja Foodi Tuna Noodle Casserole
Who doesn’t love tuna noodle casserole? It was a staple meal in my era. She also made what we call pressure cooker chicken and rice now. She had to use the stovetop back then though. Incorporating a vegetable was always important. So, peas are added to our tuna casserole but of course they’re optional if you aren’t a fan.
Mushrooms bring a great flavor to this cheap Instant Pot recipe too. Those are optional too if you want it just plain with no additional add ins. I want to say first off that the sauce does thicken as it stands.
Tuna Helper Instant Pot
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. Added right out of the bag you just need to 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 before sealing the lid.
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 as seafood meal
- We added mushrooms inside this meal, but could be cooked in butter and served on the side.
What is in tuna helper?
- Well if you love this popular boxed meal, you will love this even more! Homemade is always better you know.
- That meal requires; 3 cups hot water, 1 cup milk. 3 tablespoons margarine or butter and 1 can (6 ounces) tuna, drained.
- It is similar to this homemade tuna casserole but the ingredients are fresher of course.
Can you cook egg noodles in an Instant Pot?
- I cool ALL THE THINGS in my pressure cooker y’all!
- Not only can you cook these light pasta pieces, but you can also cook fettuccine, spaghetti, linguine or small elbow macaroni.
- Egg noodles take the least amount of time to get tender though. They’re my fave.
- If you love this style, try our Instant Pot crack chicken casserole too!
Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you add other things into your Instant Pot tuna noodle casserole by all means throw them in! Let me know what they are so we can try it too. I love trying other people’s methods to see how they differ. 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 onions on top too.
Some people may use canned 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.
What are the ingredients in tuna noodle casserole?
Use your pressure cooker and if you have an Instant Pot I HIGHLY suggest getting a non stick pot which I have linked above.
- Canned Tuna – I prefer solid white if I can find it
- Egg noodles
- Cheese
- Frozen peas – optional of course
- Mushrooms and onion – great add ins
- Chicken broth – much more flavorful than water
- Half and half – or heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
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.
Ninja Foodi Tuna Casserole
Yes the cook times seems short, but egg noodles don’t need long to pressure cook. I assure you if you follow these super easy instructions it will be a hit.
- Place all ingredients in your pot except for half and half and cheese and gently stir together.
- Put lid on and close steam valve to sealed.
- Set to pressure high for 3 minutes.
- Do a quick release and open the the pot lid away from your cace.
- Slowly stir in half and half and cheese. You 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!
You can skip the last part but I’m telling you, this quick and easy recipe goes from good to our of this world with these babies on top.
We have a version of Crockpot tuna casserole you can try too. But first here are some questions you may have in mind before getting started:
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.
How do you make Instant Pot tuna casserole without soup?
That is right! Many others you might find online use condensed chicken or cream of mushroom soup, not here. I do use that in other creations but sometimes it can make your pot a bit finicky because it’s thick. This works best. Nutritional information with calories, saturated fat, etc are listed below…but ignore that. 😉
Pressure Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole
Equipment
- 1 pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 can tuna, 8-12 oz. albacore chunk preferred, drained
- 1 c frozen peas
- 1 c mushrooms, sliced
- 3 c chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper, optional
- 1 c half and half
- 1.5 c cheese
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.
So good! I used a 16 oz bag of egg noodles and 4 cups of chicken broth, whole milk instead of half n half. My four year old says “I love it” as he eats his bowl!
I’m wondering if I can use a can of cream of mushroom in this instead of fresh mushrooms?
That may make it too liquidy at the end, you can skip the mushrooms.
Justine- Thank you for the recipe can’t wait to try it. Please ignore the haters!!
After you add the cream & cheese do you just leave it on warm to thicken or do you need to move it to something like sauté to get it to a simmer? Sounds wonderful, left over chicken would be great, but I might even try it with tuna, I had that a few times in college, but haven’t tried canned tuna since. Growing up tuna noodle casserole was always made with chicken, even though mom still called it tuna noodle casserole.
Have you ever doubled this recipe?
I have a 6 qt. and I wouldn’t be able to double it but if yours is larger there shouldn’t be an issue.
I doubled the tuna fish and added a tsp of crushed red pepper. Soooo good!
Yeah!!
My mom made this all the time using Campbell’s cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. She also used frozen peas and carrots, mushrooms or broccoli, a can of milk,(more if needed), and precooked noodles. Mixed it all together and topped it with what ever was available, crushed potato chips, cheese crackers, buttered saltines or cheese. In to the oven until it was hot and top was browned or cheese was melted. Cool a few minutes to let set before serving.
Wonderful happy memories. Think I’ll make this in the next day or two, haven’t had this in years.
Keep those IP recipes coming, I’m hooked on my pot. Love it.
I tried this recipe tonight and my husband and I loved it! Thanks for sharing it!
Had this for dinner and it was delicious! My husband loves tuna noodle casserole. We both agree it would be great with pretty much any meat. Also with the addition of other veggies! Thanks so much! ?
Yes totally!
I am on a low sodium diet as much as I can. Why is there so much salt in this? Is it the tuna or the cheese or both?? I was so excited to make this, but now…unless I can do some modifications, I can’t eat this. 🙁
Lee Anne, Could you use low sodium products wherever possible and decrease or remove the salt to accomplish your lower sodium goal. That’s what I usually do.
I don’t calculate that, the widget does it automatically so I don’t know how accurate it is. You could use water instead of broth or low sodium broth.
You can get Herbox sodium free chicken bouillon on amazon!
Use low sodium tuna and lower sodium or no sodium chicken broth. That should bring the totals down a lot.
There are lo-so products out there. A friend found me some lo-so tuna, but it was for specialty stores in industrial-sized cans. No salt added or lo-so broth. Skip adding additional salt. You’ll have to read labels. Many frozen, canned, and prepackaged foods are high in sodium (preservatives). You’ll want to reduce the amount of cheese, too.
Your average chicken broth has 860mg of sodium per cup, table salt has 2325mg per teaspoon. Switching to no sodium broth or water & eliminating the salt would reduce the sodium by 800+ mg per serving. Getting it down in the neighborhood of 220mg per serving. Just under 10% of the daily value. Want to cut back further, check your brand of tuna, they vary about 50mg per serving, & cutting back the cheese to a cup will save you about 60mg per serving, depending on the cheese.