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4.99 from 86 votes

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

This Instant Pot taco pasta is perfect for an easy dinner to be made any day! It's mild, cheesy, creamy, and family-friendly. You can't go wrong with this taco pasta, everyone will ask for seconds!
Author Diana
Servings 8 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450g) 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 8-ounce can (225g) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup mild salsa homemade or store-bought
  • 3 cups (700ml) beef stock
  • 12 ounces (340g) uncooked medium pasta shells
  • 6 ounces (170g) cheddar cheese about 1 ½ cups, shredded
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Press on the SAUTE button, and brown the beef breaking it up as you go until it's all brown and no longer pink (about 3 minutes).
  • Add the diced onion, and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the SAUTE setting.
  • Season with taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then add tomato sauce, salsa, and pour in the stock.
  • Add the pasta over the ground beef, and with a spatula push it in the liquid so it's all covered. If necessary add a little bit of water to cover it.
  • Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on SEALING position. Press on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL on high for 4 minutes.
  • Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure, and cook. Once the cooking has finished, quickly release the steam.
  • Give the pasta a quick stir, then stir in the heavy cream and cheese until the cheese has melted. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

  • I don't add any oil when I saute the ground beef, it sticks to the bottom at the first minute but once it releases its liquids/fats, I scrape off anything that's stuck to the bottom of the pot. This is important not to get the BURN message (or just use a little bit of oil!).
  • However, if anything is stuck to the bottom of the pot make sure that you deglaze with any liquid (water or stock) to avoid getting the BURN message.
  • The pasta needs to be fully covered in liquid, with a spatula just push it down a little. I like to keep the ground meat at the bottom so that the pasta sits on top and doesn't stick to the pot.
  • I like my pasta al dente, so I cook it for 4 minutes. If you want softer pasta, then pressure cook for 5 minutes as I did for my Instant Pot chicken mac and cheese.
  • When you remove the lid after pressure cooking, you may think that you ended up with too much liquid, but once you mix in the cream and cheese you will get the right consistency. Also, keep in mind when it cools down a little, it will thicken up even more.
  • Heavy cream can be substituted with sour cream or plain yogurt.
  • Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself, it tastes and melts much better than the pre-shredded stuff.
  • To store – Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze – freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months (preferably in individual portions). Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • To reheat – reheat over the stovetop on medium heat until it’s warmed through, or in the microwave. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 747IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 2mg