Instant Pot cheese Taco Pasta Dish Perfect For Taco Tuesday

Looking for your next favorite Instant Pot dish? We have one tasty Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta is a way to switch up your classic Taco Tuesday. An Instant Pot Mexican dish that is loaded with seasoned ground beef, pasta, and cheese.

What we love about this taco pasta is that it is freezer friendly. If you like to meal prep, check out our Instant Pot freezer meals!

This is a simple Instant Pot ground beef dinner. Use shells, taco seasoning, and more for a simple but tasty dinner. Pile on your usual toppings and dive in!

• Ground Beef
• Taco Seasoning
• Chicken Broth
• Pasta
• Salsa
• Shredded cheese
• Optional: Toppings

How To Make Taco Pasta In The Instant Pot

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or two tbs homemade)
• 3 Cups chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta shells
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese
• Toppings: tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, etc.

The first step is you want to turn the Instant Pot on to the saute mode and cook the ground beef until brown. Drain off any grease.

Then, toss in all the ingredients (except for toppings) and close lid, and cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes. Do a quick release when done.

Top with your usual toppings and dinner is served.

Meal Prep And Freezer Meal

Refrigerate: For storage, you can place it in an airtight container and store for around 3 days in the refrigerator.

Make into an Instant Pot Freezer Meal: In terms of making a freezer meal, here is how. Cook your ground beef, add in the taco seasoning and salsa into a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months.

Cook from Frozen: To cook from frozen, add in pasta, broth, and your frozen meat mixture. Cook high pressure for 4 minutes with a quick release. Stir in cheese and top with your usual toppings.

Expert Tips

• You can use ground turkey or ground chicken in replace of ground beef.
• Feel free to drain off the excess grease once beef is cooked before moving on to the next step.
• Scraping the bottom of the instant pot is imperative. Otherwise, you can get a burn notice when cooking.
• Ensure all your pasta is in the liquid otherwise it will not cook up properly.
• Toss in some black beans and drained corn for added flavor.

Practical notes

Can you cook dry pasta in Instant Pot?

Place dry pasta in the Instant Pot. Pour in your liquid and make sure all the pasta is covered in liquid. Cook for 4 minutes on high pressure, followed by a quick release.

Can you cook homemade fresh pasta in the Instant Pot?

Homemade fresh pasta can’t be cooked in the Instant Pot. The reason being is the high pressure will break down the pasta and leave your pasta mushy. Dry or refrigerated pasta are recommended.

Ingredients

Makes 6 -8 servings

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning, or two tbs homemade
• 3 Cups chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta shells
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese
• Toppings: tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, etc.

Equipment

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
• Ground Meat Chopper
• Instant Pot

Method

1. Start by turning your Instant Pot to saute mode. Then add in the ground beef and cook until fully browned.
2. Now you will add in your chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom to remove any stuck-on bits.
3. Add in your taco seasoning, salsa, pasta, and place the lid on the Instant Pot making sure the sealing valve is set to sealing. Do high pressure for 4 minutes followed by a quick release of pressure.
4. Open the lid and toss in your cheese, and stir until cheese is melted.
5. Now scoop up your Instant Pot cheesy taco with sour cream, diced tomatoes, olives, etc.

Kitchen notes

FREEZER MEAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add in cooked ground beef to a freezer bag, Add in taco seasoning, salsa, and freeze for up to three months. TO COOK FROM FROZEN: 1. Add pasta in the bottom of the instant pot. Add in 3 cups of chicken stock, make sure to cover all pasta. Add in the frozen meat mixture. 2. Cook on high pressure sealed for 4 minutes with a quick release. 3. Stir in cheese and then add your favorite toppings to each plate.

• You can use ground turkey in replace to ground beef
• Feel free to use any smaller pasta in replace of the shells
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.