Description
Walking Taco Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make Mexican-American dish that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and crunchy corn chips baked together with melted cheddar cheese. This comforting casserole offers all the flavors of a walking taco in a convenient, family-friendly baked format, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups crushed corn chips (such as Fritos)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Avocado slices
- Additional sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being overly oily.
- Add Seasoning and Liquid: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors blend.
- Incorporate Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Add the drained black beans, corn kernels, and drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Stir everything together evenly to combine all ingredients.
- Layer Corn Chips and Beef Mixture: Spread half of the crushed corn chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then pour the beef and vegetable mixture over the chips, spreading it evenly to cover the layer.
- Add Cheese and Top with Chips: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture. Top the cheese layer with the remaining crushed corn chips evenly distributed on top.
- Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Finish with Cheese and Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt slightly and the layers to set.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Before serving, top the casserole with dollops of sour cream and scatter the chopped green onions on top. Add any optional toppings you like such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or avocado slices for extra freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- For a spicier casserole, use hot Rotel tomatoes or add cayenne pepper to the meat mixture.
- Serve with a side salad or Mexican rice for a complete meal.
- To keep it gluten-free, ensure the corn chips and taco seasoning mix are certified gluten-free.
