Full House Casserole–creamy, dreamy noodles with chicken, ham and three types of cheese. An easy and scrumptious Instant Pot recipe.
Full House Casserole
You know the sitcom Full House? As you think about the opening of the show (picture Danny driving the family in a red convertible) and the theme song of that show you’re filled with all sorts of nostalgia and family togetherness feelings! “Everywhere you look, there’s a place you belong, a heart, a hand to hold onto!” The lyrics reflect the idea of always being there for each other through life’s ups and downs. This Instant Pot recipe is a comforting dish that brings together various ingredients to create a wholesome meal. The Instant Pot, with its quick cooking time, allows for more moments of togetherness and bonding.
Likewise, this meal will feed a full house (6-8 people). You can even double the recipe if you need to. (Double the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same). You’ll get a ton of compliments as your family eats this meal! It’s so good!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil–or canola, vegetable
- Onion–yellow, white or shallot
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Spaghetti–I used thin spaghetti
- Cubed ham
- Chopped, cooked chicken–such as rotisserie
- Cream of chicken soup–or cream of mushroom. You can also make your own from scratch.
- Garlic powder–or granulated garlic
- Cottage cheese–or a half cup of sour cream
- Cheddar cheese–I like sharp
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl around. Add in the onion and saute for 4 minutes.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Break spaghetti in half and lay it in a criss cross pattern into the pot.
Dump the ham, chicken, cream of chicken and garlic powder on top evenly.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and creamy. Add it into the pot along with the cheeses. Taste test and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with a green salad, some roasted green beans or another favorite vegetable.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with ham are Dallas Cowboys Soup and Weary Traveler Casserole.
- This recipe is adapted from Heartland Cooking.
More Instant Pot Recipes with Spaghetti…
Instant Pot Red Eagle Spaghetti
A one pot meal of spaghetti and meatballs that comes together quickly.
Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti
Creamy chicken or turkey spaghetti with lots of flavor from Monterey jack cheese, seasonings and french-fried onions. This recipe is going to instantly be a family favorite!
Instant Pot Assassin’s Spaghetti
Instant Pot Assassin’s Spaghetti looks like normal spaghetti but it is spaghetti with an attitude! It’s got a flavor kick that you’re going to love. The spaghetti is cooked in a simmering tomato liquid and it absorbs all of the moisture (no colander needed!).
Instant Pot Southwestern Spaghetti
An easy one pot spaghetti dinner with southwestern seasonings, geren bell pepper and cheese. A fun and delicious twist on normal spaghetti.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Full House Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, dreamy noodles with chicken, ham and three types of cheese. An easy and scrumptious Instant Pot recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1 (8 oz) package cubed ham
- 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (such as rotisserie)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl around. Add in the onion and saute for 4 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Break spaghetti in half and lay it in a criss cross pattern into the pot.
- Dump the ham, chicken, cream of chicken and garlic powder on top evenly.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and creamy. Add it into the pot along with the cheeses. Taste test and salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I’m not sure about some of these other reviews. Cottage cheese not creamy enough? You didn’t blend it long enough. My vintage (1990’s era) immersion blender worked just fine. I’ve now made this twice in the past week and had no issues at all. The second time I used vegetable stock, cream of celery soup and shrimp. Very tasty and will make it again.
Thanks Michele! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I was almost afraid to try this after reading some comments, which were helpful. I made a few adjustments for two people. 1/2 c onion, 2 c broth, 4 oz spaghetti noodles, 1 c ham, 1 c chicken and the rest the same. I think it turned out delicious. I used my immersion blender to blend up the cottage cheese – note that it wasn’t entirely smooth like the picture but it worked fine. After I stirred everything in, I let it set in the pot for about 30 minutes and it thickened up really well.
it threw a food burn notice, even after following the directions to a T. Would never make this again.
same, it threw a food burn even after following the directions to a T. also would never make this again.
can you cook without an instant pot?
Could you substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese?
yes you can do that
Followed this recipe exactly. I was so disappointed. It was terrible. Wouldn’t make it again.
I subbed crème fraîche for the cottage cheese with no problems; I got cubed ham and rotisserie chicken from a salad bar for a helpful shortcut. This was tasty, but I followed the recipe to a T (with the exception of the cottage cheese substitute) and ended up with soup, not a casserole. (Made in an IP mini, full recipe). If I make again, I’ll cut the chicken broth to 2 cups to see if that helps.
When can you add frozen peas and carrots or broccoli?
I would say you can add it in from the beginning if you like soft veg or add it in after pressure cooking if you like more al dente veggies.
This sounds so yummy!! Do you think I could add some frozen peas?
I was thinking frozen peas and carrots to add a pop of color and some veggies. Or even a bag of mixed veggies (with corn and green beans) or California blend (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower) would make this dish a one-pot meal.
yep for sure! I would stir them in after pressure cooking probably so they don’t get too soft.
Is there a substitute for the cottage cheese?
You may substitute sour cream for cottage cheese.