The Best Taco Casserole–an Instant Pot recipe that makes taco night even easier than normal! Seasoned ground beef is combined with orzo pasta and salsa for a hearty dinner.
The Best Taco Casserole
This is one of those recipes that is great for a busy night. With only a 1 minute pressure cooking time it’s ready to go in just a few minutes. The orzo cooks up tender but not mushy and soaks in the taco flavor. If you like spicy foods then you can use a hot salsa and more than a pinch of cayenne. Skyler’s friends inhaled the leftovers the next day for lunch.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean Ground Beef–or ground turkey
- Onion–yellow or white onion
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Cayenne Pepper–or crushed red pepper flakes
- Beef Broth–or chicken broth, or water and Better Than Bouillon beef base
- Orzo
- Salsa–or Picante Sauce, I used mild
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese–or Colby Jack
- Sour Cream
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onions. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and cayenne.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Sprinkle in the orzo and dump salsa evenly over the top.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and some cheddar.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with shredded lettuce and a side of black beans.
- Try adding in a can of drained black beans or pinto beans at the same time you add in the salsa.
- If you’re a fan of olives stir in some sliced olives after pressure cooking time is up.
- You can also make this with rice. Use 1 ½ cups of broth and 1 cup of converted rice. Pressure cook for 5 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release.
- I used my 4 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3, 6 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with orzo are Instant Pot Chicken Orzo Soup and Instant Pot Tomato Basil Parmesan Orzo.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
The Best Taco Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
An Instant Pot recipe that makes taco night even easier than normal! Seasoned ground beef is combined with orzo pasta and salsa for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
- 16 oz lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onions
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- Pinch of cayenne
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 6 oz orzo
- 1 cup salsa
- Toppings: shredded cheddar and sour cream
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onions. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and cayenne.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the orzo and dump salsa evenly over the top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and some cheddar.
Notes
Try adding in a can of drained black beans at the same time you add in the salsa.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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