Taco Pasta is a delicious, protein-rich one-pot meal made with pasta, salsa, black beans, some vegetables, and taco-inspired seasonings in Instant Pot.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Total time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
  • 1/2 cup sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 3/4 cup black beans
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
  • 8 oz pasta ((about 2.5 cups))
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 2 cups water (or vegetable broth)
  • salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Garnish:

  • cilantro
  • cheese
  • avocado

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix ***

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Method

Instant Pot Method:

  1. Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add minced garlic, jalapeños, and onions, Saute for 1-2 minutes or till onions are soft.
  2. Then add black beans, sweet corn, mixed bell peppers, taco seasoning mix, salt, and mix everything well.
  3. Add vegetable broth (or water) and make sure to deglaze the bottom of the pot to remove any stuck bits.
  4. Then add pasta, Gently push all pasta under the liquid. Do not mix it.
  5. Spread the salsa on the top. DO NOT STIR. This will help to prevent the BURN error on the newer Instant Pots.
  6. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
  7. When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release the pressure manually.
  8. Add some fresh cilantro and sprinkle some shredded cheese. Put the lid back and Allow a minute or two for the cheese to start to melt. Stir to combine.
  9. Serve taco pasta with favorite toppings: avocado, sour cream, fresh salsa, cheese, and fresh cilantro.

Stovetop Pot Method:

  1. Heat oil in a pan or dutch oven, saute minced garlic, jalapeños, and onions till they are soft on med-high heat.
  2. Add all other ingredients (except the cheese), increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Stir, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until pasta is cooked through.
  4. Stir in cheddar cheese and garnish with some fresh cilantro and Enjoy!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.