Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cheesy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Walking Taco Casserole delivers pure comfort right to your dinner table. Packed with ground beef, crunchy chips, and melted cheese, this crowd-pleaser comes together faster than my kids can race to the kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 (10-ounce) bag corn chips or crushed Doritos

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels

Topping Ingredients:

  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions or chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Sauté 1 pound ground beef and 1 small diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until meat browns completely.
  3. Drain excess fat from the skillet. Sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning and pour ¾ cup water into the meat mixture.
  4. Simmer the meat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
  5. Fold in 1 cup corn kernels and 1 can (15 ounces) of drained black beans. Warm for an additional minute.
  6. Create the first layer by spreading half the 10-ounce bag of corn chips across the bottom of the baking dish.
  7. Distribute the seasoned meat mixture uniformly over the chips. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  8. Add the remaining corn chips as a second layer. Cover with the final 1 cup of cheese.
  9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
  10. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set.
  11. Top with ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1 diced tomato, and ¼ cup green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
  • Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy taco seasoning based on your family’s preference.
  • For extra crunch, add a fresh layer of crushed chips right before serving to maintain their crisp texture.
  • Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready – just add 510 minutes to the cooking time.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Casseroles
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 398 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg