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!!
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. ๐ This recipe is so versatile!


Tips for making Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.











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. ๐
Toppings-Add ins
Avocado
Sour Cream
Jalapenos
Fresh Cilantro
Lime









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!
Pin recipe for later!!

Recipe
Ninja Foodi Taco Pasta
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 pound 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
- Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Jalapenos
- Fresh Cilantro
- Lime
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 ยฝ 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
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!

What Do You Do About the Bump on Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Can It Damage the Machine?
Let me start off by saying that not all bumps are treated equally. This is not a one-size-fits-all all answer. The information in this post is for informational purposes only and is based on my own personal experiences and the experiences of the folks in the Ninja Creami Community on Facebook. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is one of the most common and controversial troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes after freezing Ninja Creami creations, a mound or hump can develop on the top of the ice cream. Per the instructions from the manufacturer, the top […]

How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: Spindle, Paddle, Bowl, and Lid
Learn how to clean every part of your Ninja Creami, including the spindle, paddle, outer bowl, and lid. Simple tips to keep your machine working great! Some parts are much easier to clean than others. It’s really important that you keep your Ninja Creami and the accessories nice and clean. If you don’t the pieces can start to smell bad, or in severe cases, can attract insects or start to mold. How do you clean the Ninja Creami spindle? How do you clean the Ninja Creami paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl lid? The paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl […]

Ninja Creami Functions-What to Use and When
Depending on the Ninja Creami model that you have, the function that you will use to process your frozen treats can vary. Choosing the correct function can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, it’s not a perfect science. You can look at the chart below and determine what process might work best for your recipe based on the ingredients used. But, don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it. The majority of the time, you’ll probably use ice cream or lite ice cream. The below charts give you an idea of how long and at what speed the paddle moves […]

Do You Need Stabilizers and Thickeners in Ninja Creami Recipes?
For most Ninja Creami recipes, you need some sort of stabilizer to thicken the ice cream and reduce the ice crystals. Most recipes that come in the inspiration guide with the machine use cream cheese as the stabilizer. But you don’t have to use cream cheese. There are a bunch of other options. The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet. Thickeners/Stabilizers These are approximate measurements for a 16-ounce Ninja Creami recipe. The amount needed varies based on the other […]

Dry or Crumbly Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Here’s How to Fix It
One of the most common “issues” with making ice cream in the Ninja Creami is that the consistency or texture can be very dry and crumbly, instead of creami. Don’t panic! It’s usually a really easy fix. Once you get the hang of how to fix it, your Ninja Creami creations will be creamy and smooth, just like you’d expect. This is probably the most common issue with Ninja Creami recipes. If your ice cream looks like this…don’t panic! It’s COMPLETELY normal and happens all of the time. It’s super easy to fix it so that it becomes nice and […]

How do you use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
The manual that comes with the Ninja Creami says that you cannot use frozen fruit in the machine. This can be confusing because, technically, you can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, you have to follow a few rules when doing so. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media tossing frozen fruit chunks straight into the Ninja Creami and spinning it like it’s a blender. But the Creami isn’t a blender, and it’s not meant to be used like one. Even though some people have gotten lucky doing it that way, it can actually damage […]

Ninja Creami Original Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
If you’re looking for the official Ninja Creami Original manuals, quick start guides, or inspiration guides, you’ve come to the right place! Usually, if you buy your Ninja Creami brand-new, it will come with a bunch of info in the box like the owner’s manual, inspiration guide, quick start guide, and a small recipe book. But if you lost yours or didn’t get the machine brand new, it probably didn’t come with this information. Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for and it can take, what seems like, forever to actually find it. So I’ve […]

Ninja Creami Deluxe Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Creami Deluxe, it usually comes with an owner’s manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a couple of basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Unfortunately, Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. Sometimes, it can be time-consuming and tricky to find the exact information […]

Ninja Swirl by Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Swirl by Creami, it usually comes with a manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a few basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. It can be a little tricky to find the information that you are looking […]

Ninja Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you purchase a brand-new Ninja Creami, it will usually come with a manual, owner’s guide, quick start guide, troubleshooting guide, FAQs, inspiration guide, and basic recipe book. If you purchased your machine second-hand, it may not include these items. Ninja does not mail out physical copies of these items if you have misplaced yours or if your machine did not come with one. However, they do have this information available as a free download online. If you can’t find the information that came with your Ninja Creami, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together all of the info that is available […]

Ninja Creami Models Compared: Which One Is Right for You? (With Side-by-Side Chart)
There are several different Ninja Creami models available, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your family, based on features, price, and accessories. The chart below should help you decide. Ninja Creami Models There are a couple of different versions. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of preference. Each model has different variations in the numbers and letters for the model. The numbers and letters in the model number vary based on retailer, accessories, and color. If you buy an original machine with 7 functions, you’ll see […]

What’s the black greasy stuff on the Ninja Creami lid and in the ice cream?
Some Ninja Creami users have reported that they have found black, greasy residue when wiping down the spindle, under the lip of the machine where the spindle comes out, and even in the ice cream. Find out if this is normal and what to do if it happens with your machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Some have found that putting warm, soapy water in a container and processing it helps keep the spindle clean. However, I DO NOT […]

Why is the Ninja Creami spindle grinding into the paddle? Is it broken?
If you hear a grinding noise while the Ninja Creami is processing your ice cream, this could be a sign that the machine is malfunctioning due to the paddle demagnetizing from the spindle, causing the spindle to grind or drill into the paddle. Don’t ignore this issue. See below for info on why this can happen and what to do about it. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. […]

Why Are Your Ninja Creami Containers Getting Scratched? (And How to Prevent It)
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Are you starting to notice that the inside of your Ninja Creami containers are getting little scratches or grooves that go around the container? You’re not alone. This is very common and can sometimes be easy to prevent. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save […]

Why Is the Install Light Flashing on Your Ninja Creami? (How to Fix It)
It’s not uncommon for the install light to flash on your Ninja Creami. When the light flashes, the machine won’t operate as expected. In many cases, the machine won’t operate at all until you identify the reason behind the flashing light and resolve the issue. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

What to do if the Ninja Creami outer bowl is stuck on the machine…
Sometimes, the outer bowl can get stuck on the machine and it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get out of the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

Is it normal for the Ninja Creami machine to need to be unplugged and plugged back in to work?
This has become a much more common issue in the past several months and it appears to be more common with a specific Ninja Creami model. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Several users have reached out to Ninja and have been told it is a defect, and their machines have been replaced. Others have called and been told it’s a safety feature. ***This may be dependent on warranty status and the customer service rep that is contacted. ***I […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle falls off the spindle while the machine is running?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the spindle while the machine is processing. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… It seems like if the blade/paddle comes off once, the problem continues to happen. This may be due to the magnet that connects the blade to the rod being damaged or the rod being slightly bent (even if you can’t see that it’s bent). These things might happen […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle won’t stay in the lid…
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the lid, before you even start to process the ice cream. This can happen when you try to clip the paddle into the lid or when you put the outer bowl with the lid on it into the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Do not buy a new paddle or lid without first contacting Ninja, as the paddle may […]

What do you do if you find plastic shavings in your Ninja Creami lid or container?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Oftentimes, people will notice that there are little white strings of plastic wrapped around the paddle in the lid of the Ninja Creami or they will notice that there are small scrapes that go around the inside of the Ninja Creami containers. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. Do not buy new paddles and containers […]

Ninja Creami Low Calorie Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
If you’re craving a creamy, indulgent frozen treat without the guilt, this Ninja Creami low-calorie vanilla frozen yogurt is perfect! With its smooth texture and rich vanilla flavor, it’s the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding extra calories. Plus, it’s easy to make using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and can be customized to fit your dietary preferences. This recipe comes in at 255 calories, 21 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, 24 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the […]
Corinna says
I just made this absolutely delicious I used moose burger and it was fabulous.