Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Vegetarian)

Creamy, hearty, and delicious, this Instant Pot Taco Pasta recipe combines the flavors of Mexican and Italian classics into a tasty one-pot meal. In this easy, 30-minute vegetarian recipe, pasta, beans, and corn are cooked with salsa and zesty taco seasoning, then finished with gooey cheese and cilantro.

Jump to:

• Here's Why We Love This Recipe:
• Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
• How to Make Taco Pasta
• Serving Suggestions
• How to Store
• Try a Variation
• Recipe Tips & Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More One-Pot Pasta Dinners
• 📖 Recipe

This Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a weeknight lifesaver-creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold taco flavors, all made in one pot in under 30 minutes.

I first made it on a school night that ended with tennis practice-I jazzed up leftover mac and cheese with taco seasoning and peppers, and it was an instant hit. This Mexican-Italian fusion recipe is an easier Instant Pot adaptation.

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

Here's what you need to make this delicious one-pot cheesy taco pasta:

• Oil: Use olive or avocado oil or any neutral oil you have on hand.
• Garlic & Onion: Grate or finely chop two cloves or use two teaspoons of garlic paste. As for onions, use whatever you have on hand- red, white, or yellow. Just chop it medium-fine.
• Vegetables: We're using pepper and corn in this recipe. Use any color of bell peppers and chop them about the same size as the onions. For corn, use either fresh or frozen (no need to thaw).
• Broth: I use vegetable broth to infuse more flavor in the cooking liquid. You can also use chicken broth if you're okay with this dish not being vegetarian.
• Pasta: Elbow macaroni or any small-shaped pasta works great.
• Salsa: Use any medium-thick salsa. My preferred brand is Salsa Authentica from Trader Joe's.
• Beans: Black beans are my pick since they're rich in plant-based protein and fiber, and taste delicious in Mexican-inspired dishes. Alternatively, use kidney or pinto beans.
• Taco Seasoning: You can use your favorite brand here. I use the Trader Joe's brand.
• Cheese: Store-bought finely shredded Mexican blend cheese saves time and melts easily in the pasta. If you have the time, get a block of Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar and grate it using the small holes on the box grater.
• Toppings: This is where you can customize this pasta. I serve this pasta with sour cream, cilantro, extra cheese, guacamole, or avocado chunks. You can top it with your favorite taco toppings.

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Taco Pasta

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make this easy Taco Pasta in an Instant Pot, or any comparable electric pressure cooker.

1. Preheat the Instant Pot to Saute mode. When hot, add oil, crushed garlic, chopped onions, and peppers, and saute for 30 seconds. (pic 1)
2. Add the stock, followed by pasta.  Gently press down the pasta with a wooden spoon to submerge it.  (pic 2)
3. Pour the salsa evenly over the pasta. Don't stir. Spread the frozen corn evenly and drain the beans, then add taco seasoning. (pics 3 & 4)
4. Close the lid and pressure cook for 3 mins. For time variations for different pasta shapes, refer to the notes.  

5. After the cooking time is up, carefully release the pressure manually. Open the lid once the pin drops.
6. Stir in the shredded cheese and mix it well (pics 5 & 6).  Garnish with chopped spring onions, chopped cilantro, avocado chunks, and a squeeze of lime.  Enjoy!

Alternate Method: Stovetop Recipe

To make this cheesy taco pasta recipe on the stove, follow these simple instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pasta pot on medium-high heat. Saute crushed garlic, chopped onions, and peppers for 30 seconds.
2. Add 3 cups stock for 2 cups of elbow pasta and bring it to a boil.  Then, add pasta, salsa, frozen corn, drained beans, and taco seasoning.  Mix well. 
3. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook according to the time suggested on the pasta package or until the pasta is tender. Stir once or twice to check that the liquid hasn't evaporated. If it looks dry, add ½ cup water or more as needed, depending on the pasta's doneness.
4. Turn off the heat when the pasta is tender. Stir in shredded cheese and mix it well.  Garnish with chopped spring onions, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.  Enjoy!

How to Store

Taco pasta stores easily in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes.

I wouldn't recommend freezing the leftovers since the cheesy sauce disintegrates upon defrosting.

Try a Variation

• Add chicken: Saute bite-size chicken pieces with the onions and peppers for a few minutes, and follow the recipe instructions.
• Add ground meat: You can ground chicken, beef, or turkey in this dish by simply sauteeing the ground meat for 3-4 minutes before adding onions and peppers.
• Switch the beans: Add kidney or pinto beans instead of black beans.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Pasta shapes: If you want to use another shape of pasta, refer to the pasta cooking time chart in this article: Instant Pot Pasta.
• Instant Pot cooking tip: After adding salsa, do not stir the pasta. This prevents the possibility of a burn error.
• Stovetop recipe: If using the stovetop recipe, remember to add 3 cups of liquid for 2 cups of pasta.
• Make it creamier: If you want to make this dish more creamy and rich, you stir in a few tablespoons of sour cream after cooking.
• Shredded cheese: I like using a shredded Mexican 3-cheese blend in this recipe, but you can use any melting cheese you like. Also, you can customize the cheesiness of this dish. Stir in more or less cheese, based on your liking.
• Add toppings: This pasta is delicious as-is, but if you want to add some topping, you can use traditional taco toppings, including salsa, guacamole, sliced jalapeños, chopped avocado, cilantro, etc.
• How to add chicken or ground meat: To add meat or chicken to this recipe, simply saute some ground meat or cubed chicken with the onions and peppers and follow the recipe instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

More One-Pot Pasta Dinners

These recipes are part of the Pasta and Noodles Recipes collection:

📖 Recipe

This recipe has been recently updated with new photos, tips, and alternate cooking methods.