Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

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.

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!

4.98 from 44 votes

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Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

This Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta has only 6 ingredients, is ready in under 30 minutes, and is delicious!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: instant pot taco pasta recipe

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 494 kcal

Author: Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

• 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)

Instructions

Brown the Meat

1. Turn pot on to Sauté mode.

2. When display reads Hot, add the meat (use a little olive oil if using ground turkey). Cook until mostly done.

3. Add the taco seasoning, stir and finish cooking meat.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. Add the pasta and stir.

7. Cancel the sauté mode.

8. Put the pressure cooker lid on and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

Pressure Cook

1. 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).

2. When cooking cycle ends, turn off the pressure cooker.

3. 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.

4. When the pin in the lid drops, and it is safe to open it, do so with the lid facing away from your face.
5. Give the pasta a good stir, add the cheese, stir again, and serve.

Garnish with any of these, if desired:

1. Avocado, Jalapeño, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips, Cilantro

Recipe Notes

*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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