Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole is not like Grandma used to make, but it sure will make you reminisce over the past.
Bring this classic dish into the 21st century with a delicious and creamy sauce (made from scratch,) tuna, noodles, mushrooms, and peas.
Making Tuna Noodle Casserole in the Instant Pot is one way to simplify and amplify this dish.
Not only does it make dinner faster and easier, but it also makes it taste so much better! This is something you’ll want to share with the family to make your own modern memories.
Serves 6 | Ready in 20 min | Perfect for Dinner | 6Qt Instant Pot
Tuna Casserole Without Cream of Mushroom Soup
Although many Tuna Noodle Casseroles request cream of mushroom soup to be added, I personally don’t like them.
It’s much healthier to make your own sauce, and while it can be a little more time consuming than opening a can, it’s not difficult at all.
In fact, the homemade sauce is what makes this Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe so darn delicious!
Even if you aren’t a fish lover, this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is something we can all enjoy. It’s that perfect and flavorful blend that has you going back for more and it’s the perfect comfort food.
Tuna Noodle Casserole for the Instant Pot and Stove Top Directions too!
How many of you remember when Grandma or even your own mom would make Tuna Casserole? I sure do! It makes me smile to remember those days. Wow. I’m old! haha..
Tuna Noodle Casserole is a classic, with a creamy sauce, mushrooms, peas, and of course Tuna.
I have a phobia to using canned cream of “anything” and try hard to not use them, if I can.
This from scratch sauce is quick and easy and tastes so much better than a canned sauce, trust me, you will thank me later.
I’m not a fish lover, but somehow Tuna Casserole is different and I find that even my picky eater son ate 3 bowls right up.
Not sure what makes this Easy Tuna Casserole different than other fish recipes, maybe it’s the simplicity of the dish or the comfort food that it has become.
What is Tuna Casserole?
Tuna Noodle Casserole is the same as Tuna Casserole, a dish that became popular in the 1950’s using a can of soup, tuna, and noodles.
How to Make Tuna Noodle Casserole?
Tuna Noodle Casserole can be made in a variety of ways but traditionally Tuna Casserole Recipes have Tuna, Noodles, and a creamy sauce as a base.
Often times Peas, and or mushrooms are also added with a crunch baked top.
How to Reheat Tuna Noodle Casserole?
You can easily reheat Tuna Casserole on the stove by adding a little bit of milk or cream and heating over a medium low heat and stirring untli desired temperature is reached.
You can also re-heat in the Microwave.
How to make Tuna Casserole without Soup?
Great question, as mentioned in the post we tend to steer away from canned soups so this recipe does not use one. It’s also super easy to make, easier than opening a can sometimes.
Check out the recipe card for full directions and measurements.
How to Freeze Tuna Casserole
You can freeze your leftovers really easily by wrapping the casserole dish with aluminum foil and freezing it in the pan.
Once it's frozen, remove the casserole from the pan and place it in a freezer zip-loc bag. Then return it to the freezer.
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Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 can 12 oz Solid White Albacore Tuna in water
- 1 12 oz package Egg Noodles
- 2 tbs Butter
- 1 tbs Garlic
- 1 cup Mushrooms sliced
- ½ tbs Lawrey's Season Salt
- 3 ½ cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ - ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 1 pkg 30z French Fried Onions *(optional add-in)
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Drain Tuna and set aside.
- Heat Instant Pot to Sauté and wait until it reads "hot".
- Add Butter and Garlic, and allow the Butter to melt while stirring.
- Add Mushrooms and sauté until softened. Add Lawrey's Seasoning. Heat through.
- Press Cancel and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the Chicken Broth, then add the Egg Noodles and make sure they are mostly covered. Add the Heavy Cream, but do not stir.
- Put the Tuna on top of the noodles, without stirring.
- Set the Instant Pot to Manual for 2 minutes. Allow a 4 minute Natural Release and then Quick Release.
- Stir the noodles and tuna together until evenly mixed.
- Add in the Cream Cheese, Black Pepper, and Parmesan Cheese and stir to combine.
- Add the Frozen Peas and stir. Close the lid for 5 minutes to heat the peas and melt the cheese.
- Place the Tuna Casserole into a 9x13 casserole dish, and top with French Fried Onions.
- To crisp the top of the casserole, bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve and enjoy.
Stove Top Directions
- Cook noodles according to package directions, drain the water. Set it aside.
- Drain the Tuna and set it aside.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add garlic. Add mushrooms and sauté until softened.
- Add Lawrey's seasoning salt and stir.
- In a saucepan, add 1 cup heavy cream and ½-¾ cup chicken broth and heat through.
- Add parmesan cheese and cream cheese and stir.
- Next, add the cooked noodles and stir to coat evenly.
- Then add the tuna and stir to combine. Add peas and heat through.
- Add pepper to taste.
- Either enjoy right away, or place the Tuna Casserole in a casserole dish and top with French Fried Onions (optional).
- Bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes until the top is crispy and warm. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover Tuna Casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it's covered in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to keep it as fresh as possible.
- Reheating: Reheat this Tuna Casserole on the stove by adding a little bit of milk or cream, heating it over medium-low heat, and stirring until it's piping hot. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
- Freezing: You can freeze your leftovers really easily by wrapping the casserole dish with aluminum foil and freezing it in the pan. Once it's frozen, remove the casserole from the pan and place it in a large freezer Zip-loc bag. Then return it to the freezer for compact storage. Allow it to thoroughly defrost in the fridge before reheating it.
Sally
Another one for my Souper Cubes!
MaryAnne Wiggins
Can I use half and half instead of heavy/whipping cream? Just to cut down a bit on the calories?
Devour Dinner
Hi MaryAnne, yes! You can use Half and Half as a substitute. Let me know how it goes.
Linda Blowers
This is a very yummy recipe! If you have your lazy moments like I do, I brown the onions in my toaster oven and throw them on after I dish out the servings which saves cleaning a baking dish.
Patty Wengler
I love that tip!!!
Patricia
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. I
Patticalif@hotmail.com
A bit soupy even after I pulled off more than a cup of liquid before popping in the oven. I had to add water to cover noodles. Tasty but to watery!
Devour Dinner
The recipe has the right amount of liquid to cook the noodles. If you added more liquid to the recipe it would be very watered down and would throw the recipe off. Which sounds like what you did.
Sally
You've done it again! Now I've got to go to the grocery store to get the items for this (I used up my tuna in a salad yesterday). Really looks yummy!
Thanks Rebecca.
Devour Dinner
Hi Sally! Your comments make me smile. Thank you for such a great review
Olympia
Thanks so much for not using “the soup”. Hubby has to watch potassium & salt so I’m never able to use the canned soups. Love tuna noodle casserole, my mom made it often.
Devour Dinner
Hi Olympia! This is a great recipe made from scratch. I try to avoid using "the soup" as much as possible.
Brenda
Love the recipe. Only difference is I crumbled potato chips on top like my mom use to.
Devour Dinner
Hi Brenda, Potato Chips are also delicious. I love to use the Wavy Chips!
Charity
Could I substitute milk for the cream?
Devour Dinner
Hi Charity, you can substitute Milk for Heavy Cream however Regular Milk does not have enough Fat content to be placed under pressure without curdling. So you would need to add a little more thin liquid so the noodles would cook properly.
Brian
We cooked for 7 minutes. Used 2 cans of tuna . Other than that it's an awesome recipe. We make this often.
Devour Dinner
Hi Brian, adjusting the cook time can easily be done and a personal preference for sure. I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. It's a classic!
Penny
What size French Fried Onions; 3 oz. or 30 oz.?
Devour Dinner
Oops! Typo! 3oz would be plenty!
Heather
How would I double this recipe?
Devour Dinner
Hi Heather... A recipe can be doubled if you have a larger Pressure Cooker. Double the ingredients and follow the directions as listed. It will take a little more time for the pasta to come to pressure but otherwise you should be good!
Grace Fly
I have not made tuna casserole in years, this recipe made me anxious to make it again. Thanks!!!
Devour Dinner
Tuna Casserole is an oldie but goodie recipe. We enjoy this recipe without using canned soup. Yum!