Loaded Taco Pasta with Cheddar Cheese

Serves 6 in about 37 minutes. The pressure cooker brings ground beef and corn kernels together.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or 97% lean ground turkey)
• 2 ½ tbsp homemade taco seasoning (or 1 (1 oz) packet store bought)
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 16 oz salsa
• 1 (4 oz) can mild diced green chiles (optional)
• 3 cups water (or low sodium broth)
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 12 oz medium shells (or 12 oz other shape pasta)
• 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels (or 2 cups frozen kernels)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Method

1. Turn the pot on to the Sauté setting. When display reads Hot, add meat (use a little olive oil if using ground turkey). Cook, breaking up the meat, until mostly done.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix and finish cooking the meat.
3. Tip in the salsa, green chiles if using, and broth. Stir. Put on a glass lid (or any lid that fits. If you use the pressure cooker lid, make sure it is on Venting). Leave it to the broth heat up and start to simmer.
4. Stir in the black beans and the pasta. Mix and gently press the pasta down into the liquid..
5. Cancel the sauté setting.
6. Put the pressure cooker lid on and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
7. Press the Pressure Cook /Manual button or dial and then the + or - button to select 4 minutes (for medium shells), or half the time on the pasta package directions.
8. When cooking cycle ends, turn off the pressure cooker. Leave it to it sit undisturbed for 1 instant to settle a bit.
9. Do a controlled Quick Release of the pressure/steam. Then I turn the knob all the way to Venting, and let it release the remaining steam/pressure.
10. When the pin in the lid drops down, open it and gently stir the pasta.
11. Tip in the corn, and then add the cheese. Mix again. If using frozen corn, let it sit a couple of minutes to heat it through.
12. Plate with any of the garnishes listed, or just as it is!
13. Avocado, Jalapeño, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips, Cilantro

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.