Instant Pot Taco Pasta
This Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a quick, one-pot meal combining savory ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and creamy cheese, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty and flavorful dinner with minimal cleanup.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 85-90% lean
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 can tomato sauce 8-ounce (225g)
- 1 cup mild salsa homemade or store-bought
- 3 cups beef stock
- 12 ounces uncooked medium pasta shells
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese about 1 ½ cups, shredded
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves chopped
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat a little oil. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef mixture. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with spices.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, mild salsa, and beef stock. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid any stuck bits that could trigger the burn warning on your Instant Pot.
- Pour the uncooked pasta shells directly into the pot. Do not stir after adding the pasta to prevent sticking. Just gently press the pasta down so it is mostly submerged under the liquid.
- Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting.
- Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately and enjoy the cheesy, savory goodness!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Spoon
Notes
Use medium pasta shells or any other small pasta shape like elbow macaroni or rotini for the best texture. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot before pressure cooking to prevent the burn notice. For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or use a spicy salsa. Leftover pasta absorbs sauce, so add broth or milk when reheating. Ground beef can be swapped for turkey or chicken. Fresh cilantro can be replaced with green onions or parsley. Variations include vegetarian versions, extra veggies, different cheese options, and dairy-free substitutes.