Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti is a delicious one-pot pasta meal. What we love about this recipe is that it is very tasty and done in under an hour. This pressure cooker Taco Spaghetti recipe is a perfect quick weeknight dinner recipe.
I show you step-by-step how to make Taco Spaghetti in the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti
I'm a big fan of recipes that seem like they should be one thing, but turn out to be something deliciously unexpected!
This recipe looks like an innocent spaghetti, but is really a spicy, cheesy, taco flavored pasta! Why not?!
I love the one-pot aspect of it, and not having to boil a separate pot of water for the noodles is pretty awesome!
What's Great About This Taco Spaghetti Recipe
• It is a one-pot meal.
• Lots of flavor.
• Make it as spicy as you want.
• Ready in under an hour.
Making This Taco Spaghetti Recipe is Easy
Here are the steps to make this pressure cooker taco spaghetti recipe:
How Spicy is Taco Spaghetti?
This taco spaghetti is as spicy as the ingredients you choose to use in it.
What I mean is, if your taco seasoning is spicy, and you use a spicy version of the tomatoes and green chiles (The Ro*Tel® brand has different varieties), it will have a nice kick to it.
If you use plain diced tomatoes or the less spicy version of the tomatoes with green chiles, it will have much less of a kick.
It's nice to be able to dial in your level of spiciness! You can add more spice by using some chopped jalapeños!
Which Cheese is Best for Taco Spaghetti?
- I like to use a mix of Mexican cheese blend and Mozzarella.
- You can omit the cheese if you don't want any. It does add a creaminess to the sauce, but it's not absolutely necessary (well, for ME it is, haha!).
- If you want to experiment with some other options, you can try cream cheese, or just a little heavy cream at the end.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
I use my own recipe for Easy Taco Seasoning. It has less salt and no weird ingredients. Feel free to use a store-bought taco seasoning packet, they are a great convenience.
Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Instant Pot Cajun Pasta
If you make this yummy pressure cooker Taco Spaghetti recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. I'd love to know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti is a delicious one-past pasta meal. This pressure cooker Taco Spaghetti recipe is a perfect quick weeknight dinner recipe.
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion, diced
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 (1.25 oz) packet Taco Seasoning (or 3 Tablespoons homemade)
- 2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth (or beef broth, or water)
- 8 oz Spaghetti Noodles**, dry (broken in half)
- 1 (10 oz) can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles such as Ro*Tel® (or plain diced tomatoes for less spicy)
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- ¾ cup Mexican Cheese Blend, shredded
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (or use more of the Mexican blend)
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Turn on the Sauté setting. When hot, add the oil.
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Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to turn translucent.
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Add the ground beef or turkey, and cook, breaking up the meat, until no pink remains.
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Stir in the taco seasoning. Stir well.
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Pour in the broth or water. Stir.
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Add the spaghetti noodles, fanning them out in a random pattern (this helps prevent them sticking together). Do not stir.
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Pour the can of diced tomatoes and chiles evenly over the pasta, covering as much of it as you can. Do not stir.
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Add the tomato paste on the top. Do not stir.
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Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 7 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
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When the cook cycle has finished, immediately turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to Quick Release the steam/pressure. The pin in the lid will drop back down when all pressure is released.
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Let sit for 2 minutes, then open the lid.
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Stir the spaghetti well, breaking up any noodles that may have stuck together. Then let it sit for 2 or 3 more minutes while you get the cheese ready (Pasta recipes made in the Instant Pot benefit from sitting just a few minutes before adding cheese so they can absorb any leftover liquid and thicken up just a bit).
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Add the cheese, if using, and stir.
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When the cheese has melted, serve.
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Garnish with cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or with any of your favorite taco toppings.
**If you want more servings, you can use 12 ounces of pasta and 3 cups of broth, keeping everything else, including the cook time, the same.
Resources to Make this Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe
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Craig
I made this and it is absolutely amazing! Next time I make this I'll top it with sour cream.
Ruth Lopez
Would this recipe work in a 3 Quart mini Instant Pot as is? Or should I change the amounts or time to use in the mini? Thanks! I love your mini recipes!
Sandy
Follow the directions for the normal mini spaghetti for amounts and timing: Instant Pot Mini – Spaghetti
Jeanine Ricketts
Taco Spaghetti was delicious and fairly easy to make. I added some minced garlic, Italian style tomatoes, and used all Mexican style cheeses. This will be a favorite recipe for my instant pot. Thanks, Sandy.
Michelle
I made this for the family early this week and they loved it! I was planning on having my portion at work but my son ate it before I could😆
I was wondering if you have made this with gluten free pasta? I’m gluten intolerant and would enjoy this meal more if I used gluten free pasta.
Thank you for the great two favourite meals in one recipe 👍👍
Michelle
Sandy
Hi, I have not made this with GF pasta. Let me know if you try it!
Sheila
This was absolutely delicious! I used ground turkey and followed the recipe to a tee. Next time I’m doubling it so I can have more leftovers.
Karen K
Hi! My husband doesn't appreciate chunks of tomato. If I omit them, will it still work? Or if I sub spaghetti sauce will that make too much liquid? What would you recommend? Thank you so much for any advice.
Sandy
I would use Rotel® as directed, but lightly pulse it in a blander. The flavor of Rotel® adds to the Taco flavor. Use the Original variety.
Kathy
oh... that is a good idea!!! I don't like the chunks either, but love the taste. Know what I'm making this weekend
Kathy
If he likes salsa, you could try using that instead of the Rotel. I bet it would give it the same mexican flavor.
Sandy
Great tip! Thank you.