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.
This Instant Pot taco casserole was created with ground beef and items I had in my pantry! 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!! One of our favorite Instant Pot recipes for sure. (originally published 3/19, affiliate links present)
- Before I added all the cheese and sour cream I scooped a portion out for my husband who needed a dairy free Instant Pot recipe.
- He even said without cheese (the best parts if you ask me) it was still packed with flavor.
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. 😉
On to this amazing Instant Pot cheesy taco pasta recipe!
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! It’s done in under 20 minutes too.
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 just used what was in the cupboard to make this Instant Pot taco pasta, love that.
At the end I put a dollop of sour cream and more cheddar cheese on top. Sometimes I stir in the sour cream but it depends on whether everyone wants it included in their bowl.
Totally up to you but I like it creamy taco pasta style personally.
You only need a few ingredients to make this easy pressure cooker taco pasta
- Instant Pot – this is the 1 I have, I suggest getting this non stick pot to avoid burn notices now and in the future too
- Ground beef
- 80/20 hamburger is just fine
- or ground turkey could be used
- I don’t drain it but you can if you choose to
- Small noodles
- we used rotini
- you could use any small/medium pasta shells
- Shredded cheese
- I like Mexican blend cheese that is already shredded
- Diced tomatoes – I like petite tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
- Onion
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Can of diced green chiles is a good additional add in too
You can use your Ninja Foodi to make this too, either pot works. Directions are the same as below.
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 of:
- Lawry’s seasoning salt
- Garlic salt
- Chili powder
Here are the steps to follow:
- Turn your pot to saute and add your olive oil, hamburger and diced onions.
- Cook until ground beef is no longer pink, stir in taco seasoning packet, then turn off.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth, do not stir.
- Sprinkle in uncooked pasta and gently submerge into the liquid, do not stir.
- Seal pressure cooking lid and set to high pressure for 3 minutes followed by a quick release.
- 2 minutes cooking time if you like your noodles al dente
- Remove the lid and stir contents. Then sprinkle cheese on top and put lid back on ajar so it can melt and dish can thicken for 5 minutes.
- Stir in sour cream if you want it in the whole dish, or serve with a dollop on top of each bowl with a side of tortilla chips or corn tortillas.
And in case you are starting with Instant Pot frozen ground beef, here’s how to thaw it out.
You could make a variation of chicken taco pasta by stirring in some precooked rotisserie chicken diced up at the end before you sprinkle on the cheese. This will give it time to warm up.
After you make this be sure to try some of our other Instant Pot pasta dishes our kids love:
- Instant Pot sloppy joe casserole is something new to try, creamy like this one too if you add sour cream
- Add hot cheesy chicken parmesan casserole to the list for next week, it’s always a winner for dinner
- I’d try this Instant Pot enchilada casserole next if you love Mexican style recipes
- Our chicken taco bowls are great if you’re looking for a healthier option
Here’s a video showing you how I make it:
Jump to recipe card below now! It does include nutritional information, calories and saturated fat listed. Just enjoy it though, and sign up for my newsletter to get more recipes via. email in the future.
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
Ashley says
We love this! So much that we want to double it! Any idea of a time for that??
The Typical Mom says
You’d need an 8 qt. so it would fit for sure. Don’t change the time, just double ingredients.
Ashley says
Thank you!!
Vicky says
I double it in the 6qt, same time
Jennifer Mladick says
This was very simple and delicious! I appreciate the dump style dinners when I’m busy! I was skeptical of the 3 minute for the pasta so I hit 4 minutes and let it sit for a few before release (more because i was outside and forgot) my pasta was still a little al dente but held up well and wasn’t mushy thank goodness. I used Ditalini pasta because that’s what I had and I really liked the shape and texture for this recipe. I may adjust time for other size pasta since I don’t love mine super al dente. I didn’t read the recipe size of the tomato sauce and used a bigger can so it needed a little more spice at the end but the spice level was perfect for the kids and was still delicious for us (Mom and Dad added a little heat – chili pepper!). It wasn’t too much tomato flavor and a little saucy so I’ll probably make it this way again. Overall really great idea for a recipe and one I’ll keep!
The Typical Mom says
Yay for a winner for dinner
Mandi says
So Full of Flavor and Easy! I LOVED this and will def be making again!
The Typical Mom says
Oh yay!!
Nancy M Sawyer says
Actually I am getting ready to make just adding Cilantro because I am addicted !!
The Typical Mom says
Go for it!
Working Mom & Wife says
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was very good!! I used elbow macaroni because that’s what my daughter and her friends picked out. Very good and filling!! I never sautéed ground beef in my IP, so if it’s your first time pay attention because it gets hot fast. I wish I had made some cornbread with it…will definitely be cooking again. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes!!!
The Typical Mom says
So glad it was a hit!
J says
We just need ingredients and instructions. Not your life story. Good meal though
Erin says
Mean
Tara says
My daughter is gluten-free. Can you use gluten-free pasta in the instant pot?
Linda Carole says
Can this taco casserole be made in 3q mini.
The Typical Mom says
You would need to cut the recipe in half
Matt says
Made this recipe using canned Italian stewed tomatoes “the kind with garlic/basil/oregano” instead of diced and used meat ragu for tomato sauce … still used the sour cream and Mexican blend cheese but went more Italian in flavor and turned out amazing
Chuck R. says
Great recipe. Crushed some Fritos over it for a little crunch like a taco.
Brian says
Added half a cup of diced jalapeños to give it a little more spice. Very good. Thanks.
Jess says
Can you freeze once cooked?
The Typical Mom says
I haven’t done that yet but imagine it might freeze well
Dale says
really good and easy to make. thanks for sharing
The Typical Mom says
Glad you loved it.
Andrea says
Thinking of trying this substituting the pasta with cauliflower rice for a low carb version.
The Typical Mom says
Lemme know how it works, think it may need shorter cook time.
Allison says
The perfect quick and easy meal! We’ll be making this again and again. Thank you for sharing!
The Typical Mom says
Glad you loved it
Jessica says
This was just the type of meal I love for busy weeknights. Family loved it!
Clara says
Can you make this without the tomato sauce?
The Typical Mom says
If you substituted with beef broth it would just not be nearly as thick or rich.
Lara Schesser says
Oh my goodness! I made this for the first time last night, and it was AMAZING! Everyone loved it, and it’s definitely at the top of our favorite recipes now. I got my Instant Pot for Christmas and it’s seriously changing how I cook. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
The Typical Mom says
So glad y’all loved it too, it’s a fave here.
Cori says
So awesome. Thank you! I have two teenagers and it’s almost impossible to find recipes that both of them love. They both came back for more. Stirring the sour cream in before serving was a great touch. Really made it creamy.
The Typical Mom says
Yeah!!! So glad it was a hit.
Denise says
Great recipe!
Stefanie says
I forgot I wanted to add black beans, would I need to add cooking time and more liquid?
Thanks!
Ashley says
Is the calories estimated with the cheese and sour cream added?
The Typical Mom says
Recipe card calculates it with everything that is listed in box.
Erika says
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
The Typical Mom says
You could try that or tomato sauce, there may just be a difference in flavors.
Josey says
Turned out great will make again.
Candace says
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.
The Typical Mom says
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.
Amy says
Can this recipe be doubled or should I just make it twice?
The Typical Mom says
I have a 6 qt. and it would be too much to double, maybe if you had a 10 qt??
Cori says
I made an extra 2 cups of pasta on the stove just in case …I ended up adding it to the finished product and it was great. There was more than enough sauce to accommodate the extra pasta.
The Typical Mom says
Glad you loved it.
Melissa says
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.
Margie says
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..
The Typical Mom says
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/
Jessica says
I had the same thought! I might try it this week and see!
Cynthia Johnson says
I made this tonight after work. My grand girls like to help. Even my picky 3 1/2 yo.gobbled it up.! I used taco seasoning and I used 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef (I’m a meat hog lol) mmwith 1 1/2 pkgs of taco seasoning and used fire roasted garlic diced tomatoes for the diced tomatoes. Thanks for a yummy, quick and easy dinner!
Judy Bee says
Why don’t you try Orzo pasta? He’d never know the difference!