Description
Walking Taco Casserole is a fun, crowd-pleasing dinner inspired by classic walking tacos. It features seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips baked together into a hearty, cheesy casserole perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or family dinners. This dish delivers bold Tex-Mex flavors with minimal effort, making it ideal for feeding a hungry group with comfort and convenience.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips or corn chips
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Sliced olives
- Green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef and Onions. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease carefully to avoid sogginess.
- Season Beef Mixture. Add the taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water to the cooked beef and onion. Stir well and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors develop.
- Combine Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes. Add the drained black beans, corn, and the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Mix everything thoroughly and then remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the dish to create a sturdy base.
- Layer Ingredients. Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the crushed chips. Next, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese evenly over the beef layer.
- Add Topping Layers. Top the cheese layer with the remaining crushed chips, then add additional cheese if you desire a cheesier casserole.
- Bake the Casserole. Place the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Serve with Toppings. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Add your favorite optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced olives, or green onions before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use Doritos instead of plain tortilla chips for the crunchy layers.
- To make it spicier, add sliced jalapeños or use a hot taco seasoning instead of mild.
- This casserole is best served immediately to maintain the crunch of the chips and freshness of toppings.
- Check chip and seasoning labels to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
