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Home » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Vegetarian)

Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Vegetarian)

Published: Jan 30, 2019 · Modified: Apr 12, 2022 by Shweta Arora · This post may contain affiliate links

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This Vegetarian Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a delicious one-pot meal made using pasta, black beans, and veggies like bell peppers, and corn. Loaded with Mexican flavors, this taco pasta is cheesy, spicy, tasty, and ready in 30 mins. A healthy and family-friendly recipe that's perfect for weeknights and lunchbox!! 

Instant Pot Taco Pasta in a bowl garnished with cheese and green onions

My family loves pasta and now with the younger one joining the club, it's even better. As much as we love Italian food, we love the Mexican flavors too. So here's combining the best of both worlds - Taco Pasta!!

I've been using one-pot cooking a lot lately and I love using my Instant Pot for such one-pot meals. So here is an easy full-proof vegetarian recipe for Instant Pot Taco Pasta.

Jump to:
  • About The Recipe
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to make Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Step by Step Method)
  • Serving Suggestions 
  • Recipe Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions 
  • More Pasta Recipes
  • More Mexican Recipes
  • Recipe Card

About The Recipe

Taco Pasta is a Mexican flavored pasta dish made with pasta of choice, beans, veggies, taco-inspired seasoning, and a sauce made with tomato sauce and salsa.

It's delicious as is or can be served with a variety of toppings like cheese, cilantro, avocado, more salsa, and sour cream

This one-pot Taco pasta is our current favorite and we cannot have enough of it!!

It's a really easy recipe, almost like a dump-and-go type that is perfect for busy weeknights, gatherings, potlucks, and lunchbox too.

This vegetarian taco pasta is a healthy, nutritious, vegetarian (can be made vegan and gluten-free too) one-pot meal that can be easily customized.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for vegetarian Instant pot taco pasta arranged in bowls on white surface

Pasta - You can use pasta of choice but I find the elbows, shell pasta, rotini, and mini penne pair extremely well with this dish.

If you are looking for a gluten-free pasta option for this recipe then try the Modern Table Pasta - with only three plant-based ingredients, the plain pasta are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

Veggies - I use red bell pepper, and frozen corn for this recipe, you can also use other veggies like mushrooms, carrots, and peas too.

Aromatics - Ginger, garlic, and onions. Depending on your spice preference you can add or skip the jalapenos.

Spices - I prefer to use a combination of taco seasoning and other spices like cumin powder, oregano, red chili powder, black pepper, and salt for maximum flavor. You can also just double the quantity of taco seasoning and use it if other spices are not available.

Black beans - I use canned black beans for this recipe.

Sauce - For the sauce, I like combining equal portions of tomato sauce and salsa. You can do all salsa or tomato sauce too.

Cheese - use a Mexican cheese blend or of choice.

Oil: Some canola or olive oil for cooking. Butter can be used for a richer and nonvegan option.

Water or broth: You can use broth of choice or simply use water. I prefer using water mixed with better than bouillon vegetable base to create my broth. But you can use your favorite one or gluten-free option.

Cilantro and green onions - for serving and garnishing. You can also add avocado.

Please refer to the recipe card for exact measurements of ingredients. 

How to make Instant Pot Taco Pasta (Step by Step Method)

4 steps for sauteing veggies and spices for Taco pasta in Instant Pot

1 and 2 - Start Instant Pot on sauté mode and heat the oil. Add ginger garlic followed by onions and jalapeños. Sauté for 2-3 minutes 

3 - Add veggies - bell pepper and corn and sauté for a minute.

4 - Stir in the spices - red chili powder, cumin powder, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Mix until well combined. Turn off the Instant pot sauté mode at this point. 

Steps for adding pasta, sauce and black beans to make taco pasta

5 - Add broth and mix well. Add in the pasta and with the spatula push the pasta under the broth or liquid. 

6 - Layer the sauce and salsa on top followed by black beans but do not mix.

7 - Close the Instant Pot with its lid. Press the manual/ pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Once cooking time is done, quickly (but carefully) release all the pressure. 

8 - Stir the pasta gently to mix everything.

9 - Garnish with cilantro and green onion. You can also add cheese if you like, I usually add it while serving. Taco Pasta is ready for serving.

Bowl of Instant Pot Taco Pasta (vegetarian) garnished with cheese and cilantro with fork on side

Serving Suggestions 

Serve this Instant Pot Taco pasta immediately warm topped with cheese (as much as you like) and some more cilantro and green onions. You can also add avocado and sour cream for a more creamy texture.

This Taco pasta is a complete meal on its own but you can pair it with some cheesy garlic bread or salad too.

Recipe Tips

The cooking time and liquid quantity can vary based on the type of pasta used. The cooking time and liquid quantity mentioned in the recipe work best for Elbow macaroni, pasta shells, rotini, mini penne, or farfalle pasta. 

To derive the cooking time for pasta in Instant Pot half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute.

Depending on your spice preference you can add or skip adding jalapeños. Likewise, adjust the quantity of taco seasoning to your liking. 

You can use a combination of salsa and tomato sauce or either of them based on your taste preference. You can also replace the tomato sauce with tomato puree or marinara sauce. The taste will vary accordingly but still delicious!

To make cheesy taco pasta, add the cheese after opening and mixing the pasta, and close the lid for 2 mins for the cheese to melt. 

This pasta is best served immediately or else it can get overcooked. 

If there is water left after opening the lid, mix and close the lid for 5-10 mins and the pasta will soak up all the liquid. 

You can also cook this pasta on the stovetop, cook the pasta separately as per package instructions and then add it to the prepared sauce. 

vegetarian taco pasta in a bowl garnished with cilantro and green onions

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to make vegan taco pasta?

This taco pasta recipe is vegan, just skip the cheese at the end or use vegan cheese.

How to store leftover taco pasta?

Allow the pasta to cool completely to room temperature and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To serve, reheat in a pan or microwave until warm.

How to make gluten-free taco pasta?

To make taco pasta gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free pasta of choice like the Modern Table Pasta - with only three plant-based ingredients, the plain pasta is vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Also, ensure the taco seasoning is gluten-free.

More Pasta Recipes

  • Baked Feta Pasta on a plate garnished with basil leaves
    Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
  • Two bowls full off ;asagan soup with ricotta cheese mix nad red pepper flakes on side
    Vegetarian Lasagna Soup
  • CREAMY TOMATO SAUCE PASTA WITH BROCCOLI
    Creamy Tomato Sauce Pasta with Broccoli
  • Beet and Carrot Mac and Cheese
    Beet and Carrot Mac and Cheese

More Mexican Recipes

  • Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
    Easy Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
  • Mexican black beans
    Mexican Black Beans
  • Guacamole with Tortilla Chips
    Guacamole Recipe
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vegetarian gluten free Instant Pot Taco Pasta in a bowl

Hope you enjoy this Easy Vegetarian Instant Pot Taco Pasta !! If you give this recipe a try, please rate by clicking stars ⭐️ on the recipe card. Thank you ❤️! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s cooking in my kitchen!!

Recipe Card

Tried this recipe?Please rate the recipe by clicking the stars below
vegetarian taco pasta in a bowl garnished with cilantro and green onions

Vegetarian Instant Pot Taco Pasta

Shweta Arora
This Vegetarian Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a delicious one-pot meal made using pasta, black beans, and veggies like peppers, and corn. Loaded with Mexican flavors, this taco pasta is cheesy, spicy, tasty, and ready in 30 mins. A healthy and family-friendly recipe that's perfect for weeknights!! 
4.50 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 490 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta shells or macaroni, penne, rotini
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 jalapeño chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cup corn kernels using frozen
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder or paprika, adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1-2 cups Mexican cheese blend shredded
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
  • 4 spring onions greens chopped

Instructions
 

  • Start Instant Pot on sauté mode and heat the oil. Add ginger garlic followed by onions and jalapeños. Sauté for 2-3 minutes
  • Add veggies - bell pepper and corn and sauté for a minute.
  • Stir in the spices - red chili powder, cumin powder, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Mix until well combined. Turn off the Instant pot sauté mode at this point.
  • Add broth and mix well. Add in the pasta and with the spatula push the pasta under the broth or liquid.
  • Layer the sauce and salsa on top followed by black beans but do not mix.
  • Close the Instant Pot with its lid. Press the manual/ pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, with the pressure valve in the sealing position.
  • Once cooking time is done, quickly (but carefully) release all the pressure. Stir the pasta gently to mix everything.
  • Taco Pasta is ready! Serve it immediately, warm topped with cheese (as much as you like), cilantro, and green onions. You can also add avocado and sour cream for a more creamy texture.

Video

Notes

The cooking time and liquid quantity can vary based on the type of pasta used. The cooking time and liquid quantity mentioned in the recipe work best for Elbow macaroni, pasta shells, rotini, mini penne, or farfalle pasta.
To derive the cooking time for pasta in Instant Pot half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute.
Depending on your spice preference you can add or skip adding jalapeños. Likewise, adjust the quantity of taco seasoning to your liking. 
You can use a combination of salsa and tomato sauce or either of them based on your taste preference. You can also replace the tomato sauce with tomato puree or marinara sauce. The taste will vary accordingly but still delicious!
To make cheesy taco pasta, add the cheese after opening and mixing the pasta, and close the lid for 2 mins for the cheese to melt. 
This pasta is best served immediately or else it can get overcooked. 
If there is water left after opening the lid, mix and close the lid for 5-10 mins and the pasta will soak up all the liquid. 
To make this pasta on the stovetop, cook the pasta separately as per package instructions and then add it to the prepared sauce. 
To make it vegan, skip the cheese or use vegan cheese, and to make it gluten-free use gluten-free pasta and taco seasoning. 

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1817mg | Potassium: 689mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1882IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shwetainthekitchen or tag #shwetainthekitchen!
Follow me on YouTube!Subscribe to my channel to get the latest Recipe Video updates.

Update Notes: This post was originally published on Jan 30, 2019, but was republished with, step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video in April of 2022.

Jan 30, 2019 - Thank you Modern Table for sponsoring this post. This delicious, complete protein pasta is made from just three plant-based ingredients -- eat clean with Modern Table pasta today!

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Comments

  1. Markus

    January 08, 2022 at 11:26 am

    3 stars
    Thank you for the recipe! I tried it out, it was good but nothing spectacular..quite like an ordinary pasta with tomato sauce and a few vegetables.

    Reply
    • Shweta Arora

      January 18, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      Hi Markus, Thank you for trying the recipe and glad you found it good. Sorry, you didn't find it spectacular. Maybe next time try this recipe with salsa instead of tomato sauce or use half of both. Also if you like it spicy, add a diced jalapeno while sauteing veggies and some taco seasoning to taste. I'll add these recommendations to the post too for furture.

      Reply
  2. Cynthia Dalal

    December 03, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Hi can you please clarify the pasta quantity? The recipe calls for 3 cups of pasta; does this mean uncooked? One package of modern table pasta is 8oz so is does this recipe require 3 boxes of uncooked Modern Table pasta?

    Reply
    • Shweta Arora

      December 03, 2019 at 10:58 pm

      Hi Cynthia - yes uncooked pasta. Yes if you are using modern table then 3 packets approximately. If using regular variety of pasta then just measure 3 cups dry pasta.

      Reply
  3. nidhi

    March 23, 2019 at 3:32 am

    Taco Pasta looks too yummy

    Reply
    • Shweta Arora

      April 19, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you Nidhi 🙂

      Reply

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