Noodles make the best casseroles and this Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe is no exception. Packed with flavor and goodness, you're going to love this Tuna helper recipe. Say goodbye to oven-baked hassles and hello to a creamy Instant Pot Tuna Casserole Dish.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Comfort Food Classic: The Instant Pot takes this classic dish to a whole new level, ensuring that busy weeknights or lazy weekends can still feature a homemade comfort meal.
- Quick and Easy: You can pressure cook this Tuna casserole Instant Pot dish in no time .
- Nutritious and Filling: This Tuna helper dish is packed with protein and veggies for a well-rounded, satisfying meal.
📋 Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Helps to release their flavors and soften them.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy element to the dish and helps in developing a thicker consistency.
- White Onion, Diced: Provides a sweet, tangy base that complements the tuna and other ingredients.
- Chicken Broth or stock, low sodium: Infuses the noodles with a savory depth of flavor.
- Kosher Salt & Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder & Dried Dill Weed: Add layers of flavor, from pungent garlic and onion to the slightly bitter note of dill.
- Canned Tuna: The protein star of the dish, canned tuna is convenient, flavorful, and hearty.
- Wide Egg Noodles: These soak up the flavorful broth and provide a satisfyingly chewy texture.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds a creamy, umami-rich element that ties all the flavors together.
- Half and Half: Adds creaminess to the casserole, making it richer and more luxurious.
- Frozen Peas: Add a pop of color and a fresh, sweet contrast to the rich, savory flavors.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded: Melts into the casserole, adding a tangy, cheesy layer that makes the dish even more comforting.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken Stock: Choosing between chicken stock or vegetable broth for your one pot tuna casserole is largely a matter of personal preference. While both will work well in this dish, the vegetable broth may make the recipe slightly healthier if you are concerned about reducing sodium intake. Additionally, chicken stock tends to create a richer flavor that works well with the savory tuna and umami flavors of the mushrooms.
- Heavy Cream: If you prefer to use heavy cream instead of half and half, this will work well in your Instant Pot tuna noodle casserole recipe. However, keep in mind that this may change the texture and flavor slightly. Heavy cream is thicker and richer than half and half, so if you want a creamier dish you may want to try this substitution when pressure cooking.
- Noodles: If you have an egg allergy, you can switch out the egg noodles for an egg-free spiral-based pasta.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Tuna Casserole?
- Step 1: Turn your Instant Pot onto sauté mode. Once it is hot, add in your oil and butter. Stir well until the butter is completely melted. Add the diced onions to your melted butter. Sauté the onions for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are fully cooked.
- Step 2: Next, add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, and dill weed. Pour in the cup of half and half and mix well.
- Step 3: Place your noodles on top of your liquid mixture.
- Step 4: Add the drained tuna fish to the top of your noodles. Make sure the tuna is evenly distributed on top of the noodles.
- Step 5: Pour the can of mushroom soup evenly over the top of your tuna mixture. Stir the ingredients well. Close the Instant Pot lid by twisting it closed. Push the sealing valve away from you to lock in the pressure. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for three minutes followed by a quick release.
- Step 6: Once the pressure has been released, open your Instant Pot lid. Give your tuna noodle casserole a good mix. Add the peas into your Instant Pot Tuna casserole and stir well.
- Step 7: Next, add the cheese and mix once more. The heat from the pasta should melt the cheese.
- Step 8: Serve this delicious comfort food casserole in a bowl garnished with fresh parsley or chives. Serve with crusty bread or a crisp salad.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Layer Flavors: Sauté onions, garlic, and celery for a savory base before combining with tuna, noodles, and a creamy, seasoned sauce.
- Mind the Liquid Ratio: Ensure enough broth or milk is added to cook the noodles perfectly without becoming mushy during pressure cooking.
- Quick Release & Final Touch: Use a quick release to avoid overcooking, then stir in peas or your favorite veggies and finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
💭 FAQs
Tuna casserole is a classic American dish made with egg noodles, tuna, and cheese. It is a simple dish to make and is typically served as a quick and easy dinner perfect on a weeknight.
Tuna Noodle Casserole’s appeal lies in its comforting combination of tender egg noodles, creamy sauce, flaky tuna, and often additional savory elements like onions and seasonings, that create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that evoke a sense of homey satisfaction.
The answer is no. Egg noodles and spiral pasta are very similar, however, spiral pasta tends not to be made from eggs. Noodles, on the other hand, have much more egg in them, and the spiral-shaped dry pasta makes them great for casseroles and stews. If you have an egg allergy, you can switch out the egg noodles for an egg-free spiral-based pasta.
Mushroom soup is the perfect addition to tuna casserole because it adds a rich, creamy flavor that complements the savory tuna and tender pasta. Whether you prefer traditional cream soup or opt for low-sodium you can find a variety of options to make this Instant Pot tuna casserole recipe your own.
If you’re not a fan of frozen peas, simply leave them out of switch them for corn or diced fresh carrots. Some people also like to add bread crumbs to the top of their tuna noodle casserole for a crispy topping. You can use the air fryer lid to make the bread crumbs golden brown and crispy with extra cheese.
Store Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days, keeping it in an airtight container.
For longer storage, let the casserole cool, then transfer it to airtight freezer containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
If you're wondering what to serve with this Instant Pot Tuna Noodle casserole dish, then here are a few side dish options:
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes
- Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Maple Syrup
- Steamed Green Beans and Carrots
- Berry Salad With Goat Cheese
Serving Instant Pot Tuna Casserole with a side dish will make the meal more balanced and healthy. Try pairing it with a side of your favorite vegetables, rice or bread for the perfect meal. No matter how you choose to enjoy this budget-friendly casserole dish, one thing is certain--you're sure to love it!
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Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- ½ White Onion Diced
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth or stock low sodium
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Dill Weed dried
- 2 Can Tuna
- 12 oz Egg Noodles uncooked
- 2 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 Cup Half and Half
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas
- 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot onto sauté mode. Once it is hot, add in your oil and butter. Stir well until the butter is completely melted. Add the diced onions to your melted butter.
- Sauté the onions for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are fully cooked.
- Next, add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, dill weed. Pour in the cup of half and half and mix well.
- Place your noodles on top of your liquid mixture. Do not stir.
- Add the drained tuna fish to the top of your noodles. Make sure the tuna is evenly distributed on top of the noodles. Do not stir.
- Pour the can of mushroom soup evenly over the top of your tuna mixture. Do not stir.
- Stir the ingredients well. Close the Instant Pot lid by twisting it closed. Push the sealing valve away from you to lock in the pressure.
- Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for three minutes.
- After your three minutes cooking time, use a hot pad or towel, bring the sealing valve toward you to open and release the pressure.
- Once the pressure has been released, open your Instant pot lid.
- Give your casserole a good mix.
- Add the peas into your Instant Pot Tuna casserole and stir well. Then mix your shredded cheese. into the pot and combine.
- Enjoy this delicious comfort food casserole in a owl garnished with fresh parsley or chives. Serve alongside some crusty bread and a crisp salad for the perfect meal.
Notes
Nutrition
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This is a very forgiving recipe, as I made a few changes (omit dill weed, sub evaporated milk for half and half, sub 2x diced sweet onion for white onion, sub 2x frozen pea & carrot mix for frozen peas) and missed the instruction not to stir before pressure cooking, but it still came out well. This will be my go-to recipe for tuna casserole, as I grew up making upgraded Tuna Helper, not the baked casseroles with crispy topping. This was much better and faster, using only what I had on hand.
Making any adjustments where you feel you can make changes is the best thing about cooking. I am glad you liked this recipe. As for the Stirring instruction, we can add that to the recipe. Thank you for the input.
I am confused. At the end of step 5 it says do not stir. But the first thing step 6 says is stir well. Which is correct?
Hi burt,
You can stir the ingredients at any point. We just prefer to layer the ingredients and stir it all at the end but either way will work.