Here is a really easy Instant Pot taco casserole recipe that is full of flavor and lots of cheese! Stir in a spoonful of sour cream for a creamy pressure cooker taco pasta made in just 10 minutes. Your whole family will surely love this flavorful dinner and it’s delicious the next day if you have leftovers.
I’m back with another one of my easy Instant Pot recipes! Once again I didn’t want to go to the store and thought about what I could make in my pressure cooker with things I already had in my fridge and pantry, thus this Instant Pot taco casserole was created! I honestly couldn’t believe how tasty it came out, especially since I made it on the fly but even my kids gave it 2 thumbs up!!
Before I added all the cheese and sour cream I scooped a portion out for my husband who needs dairy free Instant Pot meals and he even said without those (the best parts if you ask me) it was really flavorful.
Score!
If you love taco pasta you are going to love this 3 minute pressure cooker version for sure, it’s one of our favorite Instant Pot casseroles. 😉
This is one of our cheap Instant Pot recipes because you can make this Instant Pot taco casserole for about $15 or less and feeds 5-6 people!
You can choose any type of small pasta. If you like elbow macaroni noodles then use those, we chose rotini which are this fun spirally shape that the kids like.
Honestly I used what was in the cupboard, so use what you have.
At the end I put a dollop of sour cream on top but once I stirred it in I think it would be best to stir it in before serving, unless you don’t care for it.
Totally up to you but I like it creamy taco pasta style personally.
 You only need a few ingredients to make this easy Instant Pot taco casserole
- Instant Pot – this is the 1 I have
- Ground beef
- Small noodles – we used rotini
- Cheese – I like Mexican blend already shredded version
- Diced tomatoes – I like petite tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
- Onion
- 1 packet taco seasoning
If you don’t have a taco seasoning packet then just add (I didn’t have one and this is what I used)
- 1.5 tsp Lawry’s seasoning salt
- 1.5 tsp Garlic salt
- 1.5 tsp Chili powder
After you make this be sure to try some of our other Instant Pot casseroles like these:
- Instant Pot sloppy joe casserole
- Instant Pot chicken parmesan casserole
- Instant Pot corn casserole recipe
Here’s a video showing you how I make it:
Instant Pot Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1.5 tsp seasoned salt I use Lawry's (if using 1 taco seasoning packet then skip these seasonings and just add that)
- 1.5 garlic salt
- 1-2 tsp chili powder depending on spice level
- 14.5 diced tomatoes petite diced is best
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 3/4 c beef broth
- 2 c noodles small, we used rotini
- 1.5-2 c cheese Mexican blend shredded is best
- 1/2 c sour cream optional
Instructions
- Put your Instant Pot on saute and add your olive oil, ground beef, spices (or taco seasoning packet) and diced onions. Brown meat until pink is gone. Turn pressure cooker off. Can drain if you desire, or not.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth, do not stir.
- Pour in uncooked noodles and gently press down so they are submerged into the liquid, do not stir.
- Put lid on Instant Pot and close steam valve.
- Set to pressure high for 3 minutes.
- Do a quick release.
- Sprinkle 1.5 c cheese on top and put lid back on to warm cheese and allow to melt for at least 5 minutes, 10 is better to allow sauce to thicken as well.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top or put 1/2 c. sour cream into pot and stir for a creamy taco casserole style meal! Will thicken more upon standing.
Video
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I forgot I wanted to add black beans, would I need to add cooking time and more liquid?
Thanks!
Is the calories estimated with the cheese and sour cream added?
Recipe card calculates it with everything that is listed in box.
I can’t do diced tomatoes (don’t ask me…I can do sauce but chunks give me allergy type reaction)…can I omit or add taco sauce? When I make taco pasta regularly I use taco sauce instead of just tomato sauce
You could try that or tomato sauce, there may just be a difference in flavors.
Turned out great will make again.
I have an 8 quart, made it as the recipe states and the pasta was still 1/2 cooked. I brought it back up to high pressure, but was scared to burn the bottom (which I did) and the pasta was still under cooked. I don’t understand what went wrong.
I have never had that at all with this or any other IP casserole I have made. Make sure steam valve is completely sealed before starting and deglaze after cooking meat. Either of those could have been the issue.
Can this recipe be doubled or should I just make it twice?
I have a 6 qt. and it would be too much to double, maybe if you had a 10 qt??
It was a quick and delicious dinner last night! I used taco seasoning and the Mexican style diced tomatoes because that is what I had on hand. That gave it a nice spicy little kick.
Your taco casserole recipe sounds so good.. I was wondering if you could use rice instead of pasta..My husband is not a fan of pasta… if so how much longer would I Have to cook it.. Sorry I am new to Instant pot … Thanks so much for all your recipes… YOU are a great help..
I haven’t done that though there is a stuffed pepper casserole I have for the IP he might like. https://temeculablogs.com/instant-pot-stuffed-pepper-casserole/
I had the same thought! I might try it this week and see!
Why don’t you try Orzo pasta? He’d never know the difference!