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Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

5 from 1 vote
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Check out our recipe for Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta!

Tacos, Tacos, Tacos!! We love tacos at our house almost as much as we love our pasta. I've seen a ton of recipes out there for various renditions of taco pasta. There are sooo many varieties!! While searching for the perfect recipe for taco pasta, I stumbled upon this version on tornadoughalli.com that sounded really great! So, I decided to give it a try! I adapted the recipe to fit our tastes and decided to try using jarred salsa instead of individual ingredients. The outcome was AWESOME!!

This recipe was made using the Ninja® Foodi™ 8-qt. 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer but can also be made using the Ninja® Foodi® 14-in-1 8-qt. XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid™

Usually when I make a dish, it's something that I've had some version of before. In this case, this was my very first time trying taco pasta in any form. I will tell you, we were so pleasantly surprised by how great it was! The taco seasoning and salsa came together in this dish to create a taco flavoring that was not overpowering or spicy, but just right. If you would like a spicier version, you can up the spice in your seasoning and salsa.....or throw in some jalapenos. 🙂 This recipe is so versatile!

Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Tips for making Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Can I use already cooked and seasoned taco meat?

Yes! You can. If you cook your taco meat ahead and freeze it for later, you can use pre-cooked and thawed taco meat. The premade, storebought version works as well. If using pre-cooked taco meat, there is no need to add Olive Oil or brown the meat as stated in the instructions. Instead, skip ahead to step 6 after you have added your taco meat to the pot.

Can I use water instead of broth to cook this recipe in my Ninja Foodi?

Yes, you can. However, the flavor that the broth adds to the pasta is a nice addition. You can substitute any type of broth that you would like.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! To double the recipe, double all of the ingredients except the beef broth. Instead of adding an additional 3 cups of beef broth, only add an additional 2.5 cups of beef broth. The pressure cooking time will not change when doubling the recipe.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of jarred salsa?

You sure can. If you would prefer, you can use fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, and any other vegetables that you might like, instead of using the jarred salsa. We chose to use the jarred salsa because it was quick, easy, and we didn't need to buy extra vegetables that we didn't have on hand. When using fresh vegetables, use the same measurement for the vegetables as for the salsa.

What if I don't have medium shell pasta? Can I use a different style of pasta?

You can use any type of pasta that you would like! If you choose to use a different type of pasta than what the recipe calls for, adjust the pressure cooking time based on this simple calculation: Take the recommended cooking time on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. So, if the recommended cooking time is 10 minutes, divide that by 2 to come up with 5 and then subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.

Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

olive oil
salsa
cheese
ground beef
pasta shells
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
taco seasoning
beef broth
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta:


Olive Oil-Vegetable or canola oil can be used instead if you prefer.

Ground Beef- Very lean ground beef should be used for this recipe so that you don't need to remove the excess fat. The lower the fat content, the better.

Taco Seasoning- Homemade or premade will work for this recipe. Use mild, medium, or hot based on your preference.

Salsa- Use your family's favorite salsa. I used a chunky southwest salsa with corn and black beans.

Beef Broth- Water can be used, but the beef broth adds extra flavor.

Pasta- If you would prefer to use a different style of pasta, adjust the pressure cook time using this calculation: Take the recommended cook time that is on the box of pasta and divide that in half and then subtract 2. So, if the recommended cook time is 10 minutes, cut it in half (5 minutes) and then subtract 2 and you will come up with 3 minutes. Pressure cook for 3 minutes. Any pasta will cook al dente using this method.

Cheddar Cheese- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite type of cheese. I find that blends that have cheddar in them work the best for taco recipes. 🙂

Toppings-Add ins
Avocado
Sour Cream
Jalapenos
Fresh Cilantro
Lime

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olive oil
taco seasoning
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
ground beef
salsa
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
ground beef
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Directions for making Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta:

1.Turn Ninja Foodi on "saute" high for 15 minutes.

2.Once Ninja Foodi is hot, pour in Olive Oil.

3.Add in ground beef and saute until evenly browned. Break up the beef into small pieces as it's browning. If you used a low-fat percentage ground beef, there is no need to remove excess fat. If you used a higher fat content ground beef, you will need to use a ladle to remove excess fat.

4.Add in taco seasoning and stir.

5.Turn off the saute function.

6.Add salsa and stir. Use a spatula to gently scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all brown bits from the pot.

7.Pour in pasta. DO NOT STIR!

8.Pour in beef broth. DO NOT STIR!

9.Close the pressure cooking lid, move the valve to the seal position, and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

10.When the timer beeps, quick-release pressure by moving the valve to the vent position and open the lid once all pressure has been released.

11.Add in cheese and stir. Reserve ½ cup of the cheese to garnish each serving with when serving.

12.Top with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, lime juice, and avocado if desired. Serve and enjoy!

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Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Recipe

Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta

5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 449kcal
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 pound Lean Ground Beef (Very lean- The lower the fat content, the better!)
  • 3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning (or 1 ½, 1 ounce packets of taco seasoning. Use hot, mild, or original based on your preference.)
  • 1½ cups Salsa (Use your family's favorite salsa. I used a chunky southwest salsa with corn and black beans.)
  • 12 ounces Medium shell pasta
  • 3 cups Beef Broth
  • 8 ounces Cheese (By weight-Any shredded cheese will work but I prefer to use Mexican or Taco blend cheese.)

Toppings-Add ins

Instructions

  • Turn Ninja Foodi on "saute" high for 15 minutes.
  • Once Ninja Foodi is hot, pour in Olive Oil.
  • Add in ground beef and saute until evenly browned. Break up the beef into small pieces as it's browning. If you used a low fat percentage ground beef, there is no need to remove excess fat. If you used a higher fat content ground beef, you will need to use a ladle to remove excess fat.
  • Add in taco seasoning and stir.
  • Turn off the saute function.
  • Add salsa and stir. Use a spatula to gently scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all brown bits from the pot.
  • Pour in pasta. DO NOT STIR!
  • Pour in beef broth. DO NOT STIR!
  • Close pressure cooking lid, move valve to seal posisiton and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
  • When the timer beeps, quick release pressure by moving the valve to the vent position and open the lid once all pressure has been released.
  • Add in cheese and stir. Reserve ½ cup of the cheese to garnish each serving with when serving.
  • Top with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, lime juice and avocado if desired. Serve and enjoy! Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 856mg | Potassium: 417mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 528IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in a comment below!

Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

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Lauren Cardona-Tasty Traveler #1

Hi, I'm Lauren but you can call me Tasty Traveler #1!  
I have always had a passion for food, cocktails, and travel.  It has become more pronounced over the last several years since I have had the opportunity to do so many of the things that I love. 
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Smiling travel blogger with beard in turquoise shirt, about to explore new destinations.

Luis Cardona-Tasty Traveler #2

Hi, I'm Lauren but you can call me Tasty Traveler #1!  
Hi, I'm Luis! (I like to think of myself as Tasty Traveler #1 but Lauren says I'm Tasty Traveler #2!)
I too have a love for food, travel, and all things in between! Over the past several years I have found...
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  1. Corinna says

    I just made this absolutely delicious I used moose burger and it was fabulous.

    Reply