Description
Spicy and satisfying, Walking Taco Casserole delivers a fiesta of flavors in one hearty dish. Crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Frito corn chips
- 1 cup finely shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 minced garlic cloves
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- Guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Lime wedges
- Diced avocado
- Black olives
- Additional salsa
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Sauté minced garlic into the meat for an additional minute to enhance flavor.
- Combine diced tomatoes with green chiles, pinto beans, and taco seasoning, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Create a crispy base layer by spreading Frito corn chips evenly across the bottom of a baking dish.
- Generously ladle the seasoned beef mixture over the chip foundation, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded Mexican blend cheese across the entire casserole surface.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and garnish with preferred toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner version of the casserole.
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning and beans to control salt intake for health-conscious eaters.
- Crush chips slightly before layering to create a more even base and enhance crunch throughout the dish.
- Prepare toppings like diced avocado, sour cream, or fresh cilantro separately so guests can customize their servings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg