This Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta has only 6 ingredients, cooks in about 30 minutes, and is so delicious! This pressure cooker cheesy taco pasta is one of my most popular Instant Pot pasta recipes! This is a great beginner Instant Pot recipe.
Originally Published 9/1/2017
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Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
When you first get your Instant Pot, you are going to want something delicious and fairly simple to make in it.
This Instant Pot Taco Pasta recipe is a good one because it gets you familiar with the sauté function as well as the pressure cook function.
Every time I cook pasta in my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, I am grateful that this wonderful appliance exists!
Pasta in a Pressure Cooker?
Yes! Pasta cooks up very well in the Instant Pot. The key is the liquid to pasta weight ratio. Since you don't drain it, the liquid is absorbed by the pasta, so you need to use the correct amount.
The rule-of-thumb is 1 cup of liquid to 4-ounces of pasta. It is best to weigh it. Food Scales like this one are so useful.
It is great to cook the pasta in broth and have it soak up all of that liquid flavor. I love that you don't have to drain it!
Creamy, cheesy Instant Pot Taco Pasta is my favorite of all of my Instant Pot pasta recipes.
Is Instant Pot Taco Pasta Spicy?
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta is so easy to make, and has so much flavor!
- The flavor for this pasta dish comes from salsa and my homemade Easy Taco Seasoning (or use the packet from the store).
- It will be as spicy as your salsa and your taco seasoning, which is normally mild to medium. Use a hotter version or add red pepper flakes while browning the meat for a spicier result.
Don't Forget the Fixin's
Garnish with Taco fixin's, or serve as is. Either way it will be a hit with the family! Some favorite garnishes are:
• Avocado chunks
• Corn chips
• Extra shredded cheese
• Hot Sauce
• Finely diced onion
• Cilantro
• Sour Cream
Watch the Video for Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe
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If you make this pressure cooker Taco Pasta recipe let me know! Just leave a comment with a star rating below. I'd like to know how you liked it!
This Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta has only 6 ingredients, is ready in under 30 minutes, and is delicious!
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Lean Ground Turkey (80%-93% lean)
- 2 ½ Tablespoons Taco Seasoning (see my recipe for homemade, or use 1 packet of store bought)
- 1 (16 oz) Container of Salsa
- 16 oz Pasta Shells*, medium (or use 16 oz rotini)
- 4 cups Broth, (low sodium beef or chicken)
- 2 cups Shredded Cheese (I use 1 cup Monterey Jack and 1 cup sharp Cheddar)
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Turn pot on to Sauté mode.
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When display reads Hot, add the meat (use a little olive oil if using ground turkey). Cook until mostly done.
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Add the taco seasoning, stir and finish cooking meat.
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Add the salsa and broth. Stir with wooden spoon and scrape the bottom of the pot to get up all of the browned bits (deglaze).
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Put on a glass lid (or any lid that fits. If you use the pressure cooker lid, make sure it is on Venting). Let the broth heat up and start to simmer.
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Add the pasta and stir.
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Cancel the sauté mode.
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Put the pressure cooker lid on and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) button and use the +/- button to select 5 minutes for softer pasta, 4 minutes for more al dente (or half the time on the pasta package directions).
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When cooking cycle ends, turn off the pressure cooker.
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Do a controlled Quick Release of the pressure/steam. I like to start it in smaller bursts until I am sure no sauce will be spewing from the steam release knob. Then I turn the knob all the way to Venting, and let it release the remaining steam/pressure.
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When the pin in the lid drops, and it is safe to open it, do so with the lid facing away from your face.
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Give the pasta a good stir, add the cheese, stir again, and serve.
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Avocado, Jalapeño, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips, Cilantro
*If using 12 oz of pasta shells, reduce broth to 3 cups.
Calories are approximate and based on using 93% lean ground turkey and fat free chicken broth, and cheddar cheese.
Resources to Make This Pressure Cooker Taco Pasta Recipe
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Greg
Why on Earth would you suggest using chicken broth in a beef entrée when beef broth exists?
Sandy
That's a great question! Many cooks do this as store bought beef broth can be too bland. I prefer the taste of store bought chicken broth as it has a higher protein to water ration. I develop my recipes for the average home cook, and the majority of them will be using store bought broth. You can use bouillon to "beef" it up if you like, or make homemade beef broth for better flavor.
Brad Doyle
Sandy,
This is delicious! I started using better than bullion and have made it with chicken and beef stock/broth and can’t really tell the difference. But either way, both are awesome! Thank You!
Lisa
Could I add a can of drained black beans? Would I need to change anything or would it come out mushy?
Sandy
Yes, and no need to change anything.
Jade
Omg! So good. I used Beyond Meat and it works great 👍
Rebecca Schaad
So easy! Whole family ate it up. Hubby called it comfort food. Thank you!
Kristin
After fighting with my family to try this for months, I finally got my way! This is delicious! I did double the taco seasoning, because we like a little extra kick and I always double with my tacos too and I doubled the cheese because my kids wanted more! So good, definitely going into rotation!
Karyn
Made this for the first time tonight and it was a hit!!!! I didnt have any salsa so used a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies in it. Was amazing. Thanks for a great recipe will def be a hit again. <3