Welcome to a beloved classic reborn! Our easy pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole will transport you straight back to your childhood kitchen, but with a modern, speedier twist. This incredible cheap Instant Pot recipe delivers all the rich, comforting flavors you adore, now ready in a fraction of the time. Say goodbye to long oven waits and hello to quick, delicious weeknight meals!
That perfect blend of chunky tuna, tender noodles, wholesome veggies, and a creamy, cheesy sauce truly feels like its own food group, doesn’t it? While baking it in your oven has always been the traditional route, our pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole recipe revolutionizes this classic. It’s one of our most frequently made Instant Pot recipes, proving that comfort food can also be fast food – the homemade kind!
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole: A Timeless Classic, Modernized
This “oldie but goodie” isn’t limited to just the Instant Pot. You can effortlessly make this delicious dish in your Crockpot Express, Mealthy MultiPot, or as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe. The beauty of modern pressure cookers is their universal high-pressure function, which is exactly what you need to transform simple ingredients into a gourmet meal in record time. Forget the days of waiting for water to boil or stirring over a hot stove; your pressure cooker handles it all with minimal fuss.
Our recipe primarily calls for classic egg noodles and frozen peas, but versatility is key here. If peas aren’t your favorite, feel free to omit them or swap them for another vegetable. Not a fan of tuna? Canned chicken makes an excellent substitute, offering a different flavor profile while maintaining the comforting essence of the casserole. Think of this as your homemade, elevated version of an “Instant Pot tuna helper,” delivering a quick, satisfying meal without compromise.
Effortless Ninja Foodi Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you haven’t explored the world of Instant Pot casseroles, you’re in for a treat! These one-pot wonders are incredibly convenient because all ingredients cook together harmoniously, finishing in what feels like mere moments. For Ninja Foodi users, the process is largely the same; simply ensure you’re using the appropriate pressure cooking lid. The magic lies in the sealed environment, which locks in flavors and moisture, resulting in a perfectly cooked, intensely flavorful dish every time.
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, tuna noodle casserole was a bona fide dinner staple, gracing dining tables across the country perhaps once a month or more. It’s that quintessential “feel-good” meal: creamy, hearty, and packed with all the essential components for a complete, satisfying dinner. While my palate has evolved to appreciate a perfectly seared tuna steak, nothing quite compares to the nostalgic, creamy embrace of this classic casserole. It’s a dish that transcends generations, offering comfort with every spoonful.
Crafting Your Casserole: Essential Ingredient Notes
This meal was a cornerstone of my childhood, much like my mom’s pressure cooker chicken and rice (though she used a stovetop pressure cooker back then!). Incorporating vegetables was always important, which is why peas are included here. They add a lovely pop of color and sweetness, but they are entirely optional if you’re not a fan. Sliced mushrooms also bring a wonderful umami depth to the recipe; feel free to add them for extra flavor or omit them for a simpler dish.
Many traditional tuna noodle casserole recipes rely on canned condensed soups, like homemade cream of mushroom soup. However, for this pressure cooker version, we highly recommend making the creamy sauce from scratch using the ingredients listed below. Not only does this yield a fresher, more vibrant flavor profile, but it also helps prevent the dreaded “burn message” that condensed soups can sometimes trigger in pressure cookers. Our method ensures a smooth, rich sauce every time, guaranteeing a perfect casserole without any fuss.
To truly elevate this comforting meal, we love topping it with a generous sprinkle of cheese. Because, let’s be honest, everything is better with cheese, right?! But why stop there? For an added layer of fun and crunch, consider crushed potato chips, much like we did with our popular Pressure Cooker Dorito Casserole – your kids will absolutely adore it! Alternatively, crispy fried onion strings sprinkled on top offer a delightful savory crunch that perfectly complements the creamy pasta. Get creative with your toppings and make it your own!
Achieving the Perfect Consistency: How to Make it Thicker
Most pressure cooker recipes that feature a creamy sauce, like our tuna noodle casserole, benefit from a few minutes of resting time to truly thicken up. Once your casserole is finished cooking and the pressure has been released, I highly recommend taking off the lid and allowing it to sit undisturbed for about 10 minutes. This resting period gives the sauce time to cool slightly and naturally thicken to that perfect, rich consistency. Plus, it needs a bit of time to cool before serving anyway, so this step serves a dual purpose.
If you’re in a hurry or prefer an even thicker sauce immediately, there’s a quick trick: remove a small amount of the hot liquid from the pot into a separate bowl, whisk in a tablespoon or two of cornstarch until smooth, then stir this slurry back into the casserole. Continue stirring gently for a minute or two, and you’ll notice the sauce thickening beautifully.
But honestly, I promise you that simply giving it a good 15 minutes to sit after cooking will result in a wonderfully thick and creamy casserole. The next day, leftovers are just as delightful! Reheated with a little extra cheese on top, it makes for a fantastic lunchtime treat. The flavors meld even further, making it arguably even better!
Do You Cook Noodles Before Putting Them in a Pressure Cooker?
Absolutely not! This is one of the greatest time-saving advantages of using a pressure cooker for casseroles. You can completely skip the step of pre-boiling or pre-cooking your noodles. Simply add them directly into your pressure cooker pot, straight from the bag, along with the other ingredients.
The key to perfectly cooked noodles in a pressure cooker is ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid or sauce within the pot. This allows them to absorb the moisture and cook evenly to a tender, al dente consistency (or softer, depending on your preference). Before sealing the lid, gently press the noodles down into the liquid with a spoon to ensure they are thoroughly coated. Avoid vigorous stirring at this stage, as it can sometimes lead to starches sticking. Once sealed, the pressure cooker does all the work, yielding perfectly cooked noodles without any extra pots or pans!
Pressure Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
Justine
10 minutes
3 minutes
13 minutes
6
Comment
Print Recipe
Equipment
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1 pressure cooker
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
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Place all ingredients except for half and half and cheese into your Instant Pot and gently stir together.
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Put lid on and close steam valve.
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Set to pressure high for 3 minutes.
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Do a quick release and open the pot.
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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 the cheese can melt.
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Then take lid off. The longer it sits, the thicker it will become. (You can also add some hot liquid in a bowl with some cornstarch, then add back into the pot to thicken quicker if desired.) Serve immediately!
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 454kcal,
Carbohydrates: 57g,
Protein: 23g,
Fat: 14g,
Saturated Fat: 7g,
Cholesterol: 108mg,
Sodium: 1038mg,
Potassium: 457mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 1g,
Vitamin A: 395IU,
Vitamin C: 8.9mg,
Calcium: 216mg,
Iron: 2.3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Entree, Main Course
American
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tuna Noodle Casserole
When stored properly in an airtight container, your delicious cooked tuna noodle casserole will last for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. To maximize its freshness and extend its life, you can also freeze it! Simply transfer cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If you don’t have specialized containers, wrapping portions tightly in aluminum foil before placing them in a larger freezer bag works just as well. This makes it a fantastic make-ahead meal option for busy weeks!
Absolutely! Tuna noodle casserole freezes wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep or saving leftovers. After preparing, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer portions into freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Lay the bags flat in your freezer for easy stacking, and they will keep for 2-3 months. To reheat your leftover tuna noodle casserole, first allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, place it in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through. For an extra creamy touch, add a sprinkle of fresh cheese during the last round of heating, letting it melt into gooey perfection.
More Family-Friendly Pressure Cooker Recipes You’ll Adore
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of our pressure cooker tuna noodle casserole, then you’re in for a treat! We have a delightful version of Crockpot tuna casserole if you prefer slow cooking. And for those who enjoy the creamy, indulgent flavors of this style, you absolutely must try our Instant Pot crack chicken casserole – it’s dangerously delicious and incredibly easy to make!
Once you’ve mastered this tuna classic, expand your repertoire with other amazing Instant Pot dinner recipes. You’ll love this easy deconstructed Pressure cooker lasagna recipe, which offers all the flavors of traditional lasagna without the tedious layering – essentially, it’s a lazy lasagna style dish that’s perfect for weeknights. And don’t miss our Instant Pot taco casserole (you can see it in the image below!). It’s wonderfully creamy and hearty, whether you make it with ground beef or sausage, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Perfect Pairings: What Goes Well with Tuna Casserole?
Tuna noodle casserole is a complete meal on its own, but a fresh side dish can really elevate the experience. Crisp green vegetables are always a fantastic choice. Consider serving snow peas, as their vibrant color and slight crunch offer a lovely contrast in texture and taste. Fresh green beans, steamed or lightly sautéed, would also complement this dish beautifully, much like they do with our flavorful Instant Pot shrimp boil.
While we’ve incorporated mushrooms directly into this casserole for ease, you could also sauté fresh mushrooms in butter and serve them on the side for an extra burst of savory goodness. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette would also cut through the richness of the casserole, adding a refreshing element to your meal. Don’t forget some crusty bread for scooping up every last bit of that delicious, creamy sauce!
