Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole! A classic tuna noodle casserole from scratch that's quick, easy, and your whole family will love!
It's that time of year that we could all use a few more quick dinner recipes which is why we love Instant Pots! I've already shared my Instant Pot Broccoli Chicken Pasta with you and if you haven't you have got to try my Instant Pot Taco Chicken! Did you grow up with a classic tuna noodle casserole being a comfort food staple? Well, now you can make it in your instant pot! Yup, you heard correctly. Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole, made from scratch, without canned soups and all the cheesy goodness you remember!
So, how do you make the best tuna noodle casserole with your instant pot?
First of all I used a 6 quart Instant Pot (affiliate link) for this recipe.
- Start by dumping 8 oz medium sized egg noodles, 3 cups of chicken broth and 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (affiliate link) (if you buy the bulk size container like I do this is 3 Tbs. of dressing mix). Stir it around and lock the instant pot lid into place.
- Important tip!!! The ranch dressing mix is a MUST! If you opt to leave it out this tuna noodle casserole is going to taste really bland.
- Cook under high pressure for 4 minutes. Press the quick steam release button and allow the steam to escape.
- Add 1 cup warmed milk, 4 oz cubed cream cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 cans of drained tuna.
- Stir it up and secure the instant pot lid again. Allow to stand for 10 minutes so the cheese can melt.
- Open the lid, stir the casserole up and...Boom! Done!
Can I add frozen carrots and peas to this recipe?
- I've been asked this quite a bit and yes, you can. I usually don't because my kids will not eat peas. If you want to add them then add them in with the milk, cheeses and tuna.
How long is tuna noodle casserole good for?
- If stored in an airtight container it should be good for 2-3 days.
Can you freeze tuna noodle casserole?
- This isn't a recipe that I particularly recommend freezing because the quality of the casserole wouldn't be the same once thawed. The taste should be fine but the noodles may not fair well. If you choose to freeze this tuna noodle casserole just make sure it's completely cool before spreading into a freezer safe dish and sealing well. Thaw before reheating. This should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Need more instant pot recipes? Check out these:
Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
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Some things you may need for this recipe!!!
Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (does not include time needed to build or release pressure)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole! A classic tuna noodle casserole from scratch that's quick, easy, and your whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 8 oz Medium Egg Noodles
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (or 3 Tbs. from the bulk container)
- 1 Cup Milk, warmed
- 4 oz. Cream Cheese, cubed into small pieces
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 cans Tuna, drained
Instructions
- Dump the egg noodles, chicken broth and ranch dressing mix into the pot of your instant pot. Stir it around and secure the instant pot lid.
- Cook under high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Use the quick release valve and let the steam escape.
- Open the instant pot lid and add the warmed milk, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese and tuna.
- Stir it a little bit and re-secure the instant pot lid. Allow to sit for 10 minutes so the heat will melt the cheese.
- Open the lid and stir well.
- Serve!
Notes
The ranch dressing mix is a MUST for this recipe! If you choose to leave it out the end result is going to be really bland.
Keywords: Instant Pot, Tuna, Casserole
Very tastey and easy. I cut the entire recipe in half for my 3 qt and it made two meals for the two of us. I also used uncooked tuna and put it on top of the noodles in step one.
Awesome! Thank you!
I made this but used salmon instead of tuna. Thanks! It's a kid approved tasty meal!
Ooo!!! My husband loves salmon! I’ll have to try it! Thanks!
Add frozen peas and carrots for a little color and flavor.
When do you add these?
If I were going to add frozen peas and carrots, I would add them when I added the cheese since they really only need to be heated up. They should be able to heat through while the cheese melts.
My coworker made this and I love this recipe! Do you know how to make it in a slow cooker? I don't have an instant pot.
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you. I've been thinking over your question. This recipe could probably be made in a crockpot but I am unsure of how long or high to recommend slow cooking this. My concern is that the noodles would turn to mush and you would end up with a soggy possibly soupy mess. First I would try just making this in a pot on the stove. Lessen the chicken broth to 2 cups. Boil the pasta in the broth and ranch seasoning until done and don't drain it. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until melted and heated through. I haven't tried is this way myself, but it is where I would start. Let me know how it works and if I can offer any other help. Thanks!
Tonight, I made the best tuna noodle casserole I have ever made, your recipe is to die for My husband loves tuna noodle casserole and also thinks this is the best!! I did add cooked peas, as we love them in our tuna casserole.
Your kind comments were the perfect way to start my day! Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This recipe for tuna noodle casserole in my instant pot was delicious!!!
I’m so glad! Thank you!
Quite the tasty use of tuna!
★★★★★
Tuna never looked so good!
★★★★★
This is a keeper, instapot recipes like this save me and hallelujah for meals my kids love ;D
★★★★★
I'm scared to try inst-pot cooking, but this recipe makes it looks effortless. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Looks easy and so good.
★★★★★
My family doesn’t do Tuna, do you think it would work with canned chicken?
★★★★★
Yes, I think it would!
This recipe looks like all my kids would eat it! And it’s quick and easy! Bonus!
★★★★★
So easy for a busy weeknight
★★★★★
Looks delicious and great for a quick meal on busy nights!
★★★★★
I made this the other day and it was my first time trying pasta in the instant pot. I was skeptical at first because the dry pasta was not fully submerged but it all worked out. I followed your recipe exactly except I put 1 can of tuna. When I used to make Tuna/hamburger Helper I would also halve the amount of meat that it called for.
As for future meals I will omit the mozzarella or only put a little in. I found that it left a bitter aftertaste. And I liked the creaminess that it already had from the milk and the creamed cheese.
Thank you for taking the time to post this! I love my InstantPot!!
★★★★★
That's great! I am so glad you are enjoying your instant pot!
Not sure what happened. I follow the directions to the letter (I did not have curly egg noodles so I used straight ones). When I opened my insta pot I had tuna noodle soup! I tried to cook it down a bit - that only resulted in a horrible stuck on mess on the bottom of my pot. Finally spooned it out into a cake pan and baked off the excess moisture. The flavor was fabulous and I WILL definitely try it again.
★★★
I am so sorry that happened. I have heard that flat noodles have a tendency to clump and burn. Than would also explain the extra liquid. Definitely, use the curly noodles next time.
I made this last night because I wanted something quick and easy. I followed the recipe exactly as written, no change in ingredients and only the addition of peas and carrots. It was so easy! And delicious! I will make this again because I always have those ingredients in my pantry. Thanks for posting a recipe for a quick and tasty meal that satisfies. I wonder how it would taste using canned chicken instead of tuna? Love my Instant Pot.
★★★★★
You’re welcome! I think it was just taste good with canned chicken.
Will I need to add more broth if doubling up this recipe?
Yes 🙂
Thank you!