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–+ servings

Instant Pot Rotini Ranchero

This Instant Pot recipe combines the bold flavors of ranchero-style sauce with taco-seasoned ground beef and creamy cheese, all infused into rotini pasta for a satisfying and quick meal.
With a total cook time of just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy nights and is sure to be a family favorite.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Pasta
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 16 ounces red salsa any variety of your choice
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend plus extra for topping
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1 8-ounce can diced green chilies
  • 10 ounces frozen corn optional

Optional Toppings:

  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Black olives pitted and sliced
  • Additional shredded cheese

Instructions
 

Sauté the Ingredients:

  • Set the Instant Pot to Sauté on "More" or "High" setting.
  • Heat the olive oil for about 3 minutes, then add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, stirring constantly, for another 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.

Add Liquids and Pasta:

  • Pour in the beef broth, salsa, and taco seasoning, stirring well to combine.
  • Add the rotini pasta but do not stir. Instead, use a spoon to lightly submerge the pasta under the liquid while keeping some pieces slightly exposed.

Pressure Cook:

  • Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the Sealing position.
  • Select Manual/Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
  • Once done, perform a quick release to depressurize.

Incorporate Cheeses & Chilies:

  • Stir in the Mexican cheese blend and cotija cheese until fully melted.
  • Add the diced green chilies and mix well. If using frozen corn, stir it in at this stage and allow it to heat through.

Serve & Garnish:

  • Spoon into bowls and top with sliced jalapeños, black olives, or extra cheese as desired.
  • Enjoy hot!

Notes

Cheese Substitute: If cotija cheese is unavailable, grated Parmesan works well as a replacement.
Extra Creamy Option: For an even cheesier, melty top, consider adding a cheese layer and broiling in an oven-safe dish for a few minutes.
Meat Variation: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative.
Make it Spicier: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or use a spicy salsa to give the dish an extra kick.
Keyword creamy beef pasta, Easy one-pot meals, Instant Pot pasta recipe, instant pot recipes, pressure cooker taco pasta, quick dinner idea
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