Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is comfort food without any processed ingredients and a little twist to put this over the top delicious.
We use coconut milk to add a nice umami flavor combination with tender noodles, flaky tuna, velvety peas, and dill.
This pantry staple dish is taken to the next level of yumminess. It is luscious and a fabulous family dinner.
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Why this recipe works
- Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole takes a classic casserole to the next level of ease with this simple recipe.
Ingredients Needed
- olive oil or unsalted butter
- onion
- celery
- garlic
- all-purpose flour
- coconut milk
- chicken stock
- dried dill
- salt
- black pepper
- dry small pasta
- solid albacore white tuna packed in water, drained
- frozen peas, defrosted
- cheddar cheese
Kitchen Tools Needed
- 6-quart Instant Pot
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
How to Make Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Press Sauté on the Instant Pot, add olive oil.
- Stir in onion and celery, sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, sauté for another minute to release the flavor of the garlic.
- Remove the vegetables to a small bowl, set aside.
- Pour the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil into the vessel of the Instant Pot. Stir in the all-purpose flour and whisk to form a brown roux.
- Whisk the coconut milk into the roux. Be sure to stir up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Mix in the chicken stock, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Add back in the sauteed veggies. Then, layer in the pasta, tuna, and cheese. (Do not mix) See Note 6.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to manual pressure, high for 5 minutes. The noodles will be soft. If you prefer harder noodles, set time to 3 minutes.
- Once cook time is complete, do a quick release.
- Stir in the peas and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Taste, if needed, adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy.
How to store, reheat, and freeze
Leftovers can be kept in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Freezer - Leftovers can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the microwave, following the manufacturer's instructions.
The leftovers can also be defrosted in the refrigerator for a few hours and then reheated in a 350°F.
Expert Tips
- Once the brown bits are scraped from the bottom, hit the cancel and let the vessel cool slightly before continuing with the recipe
- I have been finding that my 8-quart pot gets a frequent burn message. To prevent it, after using the saute function, be sure to bring up all the brown bits off the bottom of the pot with your liquid. In this recipe, the coconut milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is believed that the tuna casserole originated in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in the early 1950's.
Change up the Ingredients
Do you want to change up this recipe?
- Protein: Add salmon instead of canned tuna.
- Pasta: Use any small pasta you have handy for this recipe.
- Dairy Free: Use dairy free cheese
More Instant Pot Dinner Ideas
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Press Sauté on the Instant. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to heat.
- Add 1 medium yellow onion (diced) and 2 stalks celery (sliced thin) to the hot oil. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cloves garlic (chopped), sauté for another minute to bloom the flavors of the garlic.
- Remove the vegetables to a small bowl, set aside.
- Pour the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil into the vessel of the Instant Pot. Stir in 4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk to form a brown roux.
- Whisk in 1 cup coconut milk into the roux. Be sure to stir up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Shut off the Instant Pot.
- Mix in 2 cups chicken stock. 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Add back in the sauteed veggies. Then, layer in 1 pound dry small pasta , tuna, and cheese. (Do not mix) See Note 6.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to manual pressure, high for 5 minutes. The noodles will be soft. If you prefer harder noodles, set time to 3 minutes.
- Once cook time is complete, do a quick release.
- Stir in the 1 cup defrosted peas and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Taste, if needed adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy.
D
Wow, great recipe! I didn’t have dill, but, thought that was ok as my daughter doesn’t care for it. It turned out delicious. The coconut milk adds a rich flavor...it was a nice surprise. I did face the “burn” warning a couple of times. I added more liquid and that seemed to help.
Eileen xo
Excellent Dora, glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Laura
this was definitely a "make again" recipe. I used a "Earths Own" almond milk and lactose free cheese. I got the "burn" signal so i opened the IP added another cup of chicken broth (stirred), put it back on and it came out perfect. Really nice flavour.
Eileen xo
I'm so glad you liked the recipe, Laura. I am not sure why you got the Burn message but I am so glad it turned out well.
Kari Alana
I am so happy I came across this recipe! Definitely going to be trying it soon and I have already saved it.
Eileen xo
Awesome Kari. I'd love for you to check in after you make it and let me know how it works for you.
Aditi
Tried these over the weekend. It came out perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Eileen xo
I'm glad you enjoyed the tuna casserole.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli
I have actually never had or heard of tuna casserole, but I am loving the ingredients that go into it! A great meal, tasty and nutritious, ready in mere minutes!
Eileen xo
I hope you give it a try soon.
Kushigalu
This tuna casserole is packed with full of flavors. Love the combination of ingredients in this recipe. Thanks for sharing
Eileen xo
I'm very happy you enjoyed the casserole.
Jenny
Loved this tuna casserole! We made the dairy free version with olive oil and coconut milk and it was delicious. And easy, it was ready in a pinch. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Eileen xo
I'm so glad you enjoyed the tuna casserole. We make it dairy-free all the time too.
Denise
Tuna Casserole is one of my favorite comfort foods! Love that your recipe is to make in the Instant Pot too!
Eileen xo
Enjoy Denise.
Kathryn Donangelo
I love how easy this tuna casserole is to make and takes no time to make. It makes a great dinner especially for busy nights! Thank you!
Eileen xo
So glad you enjoy the recipe, Kathryn.
Marta
I've never thought to make tuna casserole in an instant pot, but looking through the recipe, it looks genius! I can't wait to try it out.
Eileen xo
I love the instant pot because you can do anything in it! Try it out and let me know what you think!! Thank you Marta!
Aditi Bahl
Tried your recipe and it came out lovely. Perfect flavors. Exactly what i expected.Thanks for sharing.
Eileen xo
Wonderful Aditi, thank you for letting me know the recipe worked for you.
Eva
Your detailed instructions and step by step pictures make it easy to replicate also for those who do not have an instant pot. I just cooked my pasta on the side, and reduced the liquids. Indeed a wonderful combination of flavours. The practicality of getting this all in no time in one pot would be priceless.
Eileen xo
Wonderful Eva, glad you like the tuna casserole.
Bernice Hill
What an absolute bowl of comfort! It's been AGES since I've made tuna casserole but I love how simple it is and how quick it is in the Instant Pot. Dill and peas are essential!
Eileen xo
I agree Bernice. This is a classic and so good.
HEATHER PERINE
Oh this is a classic I grew up on!! Thank you for creating a recipe to make in my Instant Pot! Can't wait to try 🙂
Eileen xo
I hope you love it just as much as I do! Thank you Heather!
Amanda
I love that this tuna casserole cooks in the Instant Pot! It makes it so convenient, and the results were amazing. The sauce was so rich and creamy.
Eileen xo
Wonderful, Amanda. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tuna casserole. I agree, it's so easy in the Instant pot.