Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta is a quick and easy ground beef dinner recipe that you can make in the pressure cooker in less than 30 minutes. This delicious one dish meal is loaded with cheese, salsa, shells and beef and is perfect for busy days!
If you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe made with ground beef and pasta with a little south-of-the-border flavor, you’re going to love this delicious Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta. It’s like homemade Hamburger Helper, and it’s super kid friendly. And since it’s a one pot dinner, there’s hardly any clean-up!
I don’t think you can ever have too many easy ground beef recipes, especially Instant Pot ground beef recipes. I probably make ground beef in the Instant Pot for dinner once a week, so I try to prepare it a different way each time.
I’ve been trying to go through as many of my one pot dinner recipes and possible and convert them to pressure cooker recipes. This easy taco pasta is based on one of our favorites — one pot taco pasta. It’s basically a combination of taco meat and pasta, and it’s perfect for those days when you can’t decided between Italian and Mexican food for dinner.
How to make Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta
I love making pasta in the Instant Pot. The texture is always perfect, and you never have to worry about the pot boiling over or carrying a heavy pot of boiling water over to the sink!
To make taco pasta in the Instant Pot, you start out by browning a little ground beef. When the meat is no longer pink, you add your seasonings. I like to make my own taco seasoning mix, but you can easily use a packet if that’s what you prefer.
Then, you layer a box of uncooked pasta shells, water and some salsa over the beef and pressure cook it all for only 4 minutes. You can add a minute if you like your pasta softer.
After the pressure cooking is done, you stir it all up and add a little sour cream and cheese. The sour cream adds a creamier texture and a tangy flavor to the pasta, and it’s what we would normally add to our tacos. And of course, you have to have cheese!
I used a combo of cheddar and monterey jack, but you could use all cheddar or whatever you want!
You can also add as many of your favorite taco toppings over the pasta. I used extra cheese, sour cream, radishes, tomatoes, sliced peppers and some cilantro.
I also set out some homemade guacamole and extra salsa. You can never have too many taco toppings, right?!
Looking for more Instant Pot ground beef recipes?
- Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef
- Easy Instant Pot Hamburgers
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Instant Pot Mom’s Best Chili
Recipe for Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1-pound box medium pasta shells, uncooked
- 4 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups chunky tomato salsa
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE on the Instant Pot, and when it reads hot, add the olive oil. When it reads hot again, add the ground beef, and break up meat with a flat spatula
- When meat is no longer pink, add the sea salt, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onions and pepper, and stir until well coated.
- Hit CANCEL, then add the pasta shells, water and salsa. Do not stir. Cover, then turn valve to sealing position
- Hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes, and when pot beeps, hit CANCEL, and do a gradual quick release
- When pin drops, carefully remove lid, and gently stir pasta. Stir in sour cream and cheeses until well combined and serve immediately
Video
Notes
Nutrition
My family loved this easy Instant Pot creamy taco pasta. I hope you enjoy this easy dinner as much as we do!
Annie says
Don’t have shells can I sub another type of pasta?
Annie says
or can I use chickpea pasta – I have that in shells!
Dee says
I’ve never used that, so I can’t say for sure, but I think I’ve heard people say you just cook it for half the time recommended on the box.
Dee says
You can use another pasta — just cook it for half the time it says on the box. I’ve used penne before, and 4 to 5 minutes works.
LINDA says
Can this recipe be made as is in a 6 quart IP Duo?
Dee says
Yes! You can make it in the 6 quart without changing anything.
Stacy Rolph says
This stays in rotation for my hard to please family. I can almost make it without looking at the recipe. Thank you!
Dee says
That’s so good to know, Stacy! Thank you so much!
Betty Schneider says
I have a 3 quart Instant Pot. How do I modify this receipe for that size of Instant Pot?
Dee says
I’m not that familiar with the 3 quart, but I’m guessing you’ll need to cut the recipe in half to fit and keep the same cook time.
KricketK says
Hi Dee!
I know it says 10 servings are 189 calories. What size servings are they? Is it for 1 cup, 1/2, etc?
Kricket
Dee says
Serving size is roughly a cup.
Haley says
Our family loves this delicious Instant Pot Taco Pasta! It’s super easy to prepare when we are on the go with soccer nights. While it cooks I prepare my fresh salsa and guacamole. Delish and 5 stars in our home.
Dee says
Thank you so much, Haley! You made my day! 🙂
Patty says
Do you have any idea how much sodium is in this recipe? My husband is in heart failure and I have him on low sodium diet, I know I can modify this.
Thanks
Dee says
Hi Patty. I just updated the nutrition info, but you might want to use your own program to verify.
Michelle says
Hi, I’m going to try this tonight but am confused as to what “gradual quick release” means. When I google it I either get natural or quick release. Thank you!
Dee says
Gradual release just means you do a quick release but use then end of a spoon to control the venting knob if liquid starts spraying out. It might not be necessary, but it just helps keep your kitchen clean. 🙂
Laura says
Great flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
Dee says
You’re welcome, Laura! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Sheila says
I would like to double this recipe. Should I also double the liquid ( water)
Dee says
Yes, double the water so that it covers the pasta, but keep the cook time the same. 🙂
Shasta says
Received an instant pot for Christmas and was super excited to try this receipe. It did not disappoint everyone enjoyed. Thank you!
Dee says
That’s wonderful! Thanks for letting me know — enjoy your new Instant Pot! 🙂
Kathie says
We tried it today for lunch, first time I had tried pasta in my Instant Pot. It was really good and so easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Dee says
So happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Cassandra says
REALLY tasty and insanely quick. Great recipe!!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Cassandra. Glad you liked it! 🙂
Leigh Ann says
This was AMAZING!!! I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this recipe! The meat and the pasta were perfectly tender and the smoked paprika really made it! Thanks for recipe that I will be making again.
Dee says
Thanks, Leigh Ann. So happy that you enjoyed this!