Taco Pasta Dinner Dish (Printable Version)
# What You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
12 ounces (340g) uncooked pasta shells, medium size
02 -
3 cups (700ml) beef broth
03 -
½ cup heavy cream
04 -
6 ounces (170g) shredded cheddar cheese, about 1 ½ cups
05 -
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
06 -
Salt and black pepper to your liking
07 -
1 cup mild salsa, choose your favorite
08 -
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
09 -
1 yellow onion, cut into small cubes
10 -
1 pound (450g) ground beef, 85-90% lean
11 -
1 8-ounce can (225g) tomato sauce
12 -
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped up
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Switch the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Cook the ground beef while crumbling it apart, until brown and no pink remains. This'll take about 3 minutes.
02 -
Toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for another 2 minutes. Turn off the SAUTE setting once done.
03 -
Add taco seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in beef broth, tomato sauce, and salsa until everything's well blended.
04 -
Spread the uncooked pasta shells across the top of the mixture. Use a spatula to gently press the pasta into the liquid. Add extra water if needed.
05 -
Lock the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to SEALING. Pick PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL for 4 minutes on high. Allow time for the pot to build pressure.
06 -
Once it's done cooking, do a quick steam release. Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir to combine.
07 -
Stir in the shredded cheese and cream. Keep mixing until the cheese melts completely. Dish it up warm and enjoy!
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Pour some liquid, like water or broth, into the pot if food sticks. This stops the BURN signal from popping up.
02 -
Go for 4 minutes under pressure if you like firmer pasta. For softer pasta, extend to 5 minutes.
03 -
Shredding your own cheese makes it taste and melt better than the store-bought pre-shredded kind.
04 -
Push all the pasta down into the liquid. Use a spatula if it floats up.
05 -
The sauce will naturally thicken up as it cools off after being cooked.
06 -
Heavy cream can be swapped with yogurt or sour cream for a slightly tangy twist.