Bring the fiesta to your dinner table with Instant Pot Taco Pasta! This quick and easy recipe combines the best of both worlds – the beloved flavors of tacos and the comforting allure of pasta. This one-pot dish provides all the flavors of tacos without any hassle or mess, perfect for busy mums looking for an easy way to whip up something special at dinnertime.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Fusion of Favorites: This recipe cleverly combines the flavors of tacos and comfort of pasta.
- One-Pot Wonder: Utilize your Instant Pot to make this meal quickly with minimal cleanup.
- Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
If you love this Taco Past Instant Pot recipe then you have to check out Creamy Gochujang Pasta and Instant Pot Feta Pasta too!
📋 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed for this taco pasta Instant Pot recipe:
- Lean Ground Beef: The primary source of protein in this dish, it adds a hearty and savory element.
- Small Onion, Diced: Contributes a sweet and slightly sharp flavor that complements the beef.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic note that deepens the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Pasta Shells: Serve as the base of the dish, soaking up all the flavors from the other ingredients.
- Mild Salsa: Infuses the pasta with a tangy, mildly spicy flavor and also adds some vegetable content to the dish.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid necessary for cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot and also enhances the overall savory taste.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the hot pasta, adding a creamy, rich, and slightly tangy flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Homemade Taco Seasoning: Brings a warm, earthy, and slightly spicy flavor that's characteristic of taco dishes.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Extra Beans: There are many different variations that you can try with this taco pasta Instant Pot recipe. One tasty option includes adding black beans, frozen corn or bell peppers to the mix.
- Add Tomatoes: This cheesy Instant Pot taco pasta does not need tomatoes. However, if you wish to add a tomato taste, add 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce or ½ can diced tomatoes to the recipe for a tomato flavor.
- Cheese: You could even use a variety of different cheeses, such as cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, to give your dish a unique flavor. Or try using a Mexican blend cheese.
- Broth: Other substitutions include switching the chicken broth for beef broth, and adding a cup of enchilada sauce to the meat mixture.
- Add Chicken: If you prefer to use chicken instead of ground beef or ground turkey, simply add 1 pound of shredded chicken to your electric pressure cooker and follow the instructions as above.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Taco Pasta?
- Step 1: Add the ground beef, diced onion and minced garlic to the Instant Pot insert. Press saute and brown the meat. Drain the grease if needed.
- Step 2: Once the ground beef is browned, add the homemade taco seasoning.
- Step 3: Add in the chicken broth, salsa and pasta and stir to combine the ingredients. Close the Instant Pot lid and seal it shut. Set the manual button to pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Once the cooking cycle has completed, carefully vent the Instant Pot by performing a quick release. Stir in the 2 cups of shredded cheese until melted into the shell pasta. Garnish with salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, and other taco garnishes.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Preheat and Sauté: Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Brown ground beef (or your preferred protein) along with diced onions and garlic, and add taco seasoning to build a robust flavor base.
- Layer in Fresh Ingredients: Once your meat is nicely browned, stir in diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and a splash of salsa to enhance the taco vibe.
- Mix in the Pasta and Liquid: Add your dry pasta along with a blend of broth and a little extra salsa. This liquid not only cooks the pasta evenly but also infuses it with a zesty, taco-inspired flavor.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Seal the Instant Pot and set it on high pressure for about half the cooking time recommended on your pasta package, ensuring the pasta cooks just right without becoming mushy.
- Quick Release for Texture: Perform a quick release to stop the cooking process immediately, maintaining the pasta’s texture and locking in all the vibrant flavors.
- Finish with a Bold Garnish: Stir in a handful of shredded cheese, and serve topped with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of sour cream for that perfect finishing touch.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen ground beef in this taco pasta recipe. Simply add the frozen beef to the Instant Pot and slowly cook in the pot from frozen.
Yes, you can use ground turkey for this recipe instead of ground beef. Simply follow the same cooking instructions.
You may also need to use a little extra chicken broth or salsa if the meat is not as flavorful and juicy as you would like it.
Yes, you can cook cheesy taco pasta in the slow cooker. Brown your mince and then add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, and stir well to combine.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the pasta is cooked through and tender. Garnish as desired and serve warm.
To store taco pasta, allow it to cool to room temperature. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. If the pasta seems dry after reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back its creaminess.
Optional Toppings
Here are the best toppings for cheesy taco pasta.
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Guacamole
- Jalapeños
- Pico De Gallo
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Taco Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Onion Diced
- 2 Teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 16 oz Pasta Shells
- 16 oz Jar Of Mild Salsa
- 4 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- Pinch Salt & Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ Teaspoon Oregano
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Add the ground beef, diced onion and minced garlic to the Instant Pot insert.
- Press saute and brown the meat. Drain the grease if needed.
- Once the ground beef is browned, add the homemade taco seasoning.
- Add in the chicken broth, salsa and pasta and stir to combine the ingredients.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and seal it shut. Set the manual button to pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle has completed carefully vent the Instant Pot by performing a quick release.
- Stir in the 2 cups of shredded cheese until melted into the shell pasta.
- Garnish with salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese and other taco garnishes.
Nutrition
Bookmark These Pressure Cooker Recipes
If you love to cook pasta then why not try these pasta dishes in your Instant pot. These delicious recipes are easy and simple and perfect for the Instant Pot newbie.
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