Description
Walking Taco Casserole brings all the zesty flavors of your favorite street snack straight to the dinner table. Layered with crunchy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melty cheese, this dish turns a handheld treat into a crowd-pleasing casserole your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 15 oz cans black beans
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 large sweet onion
- 2 15 oz cans corn
- 2 packets taco seasoning
- 2 cups tomatillo salsa
Dairy and Toppings:
- 3 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 cups Frito corn chips
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 375°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Crumble 2 lbs ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains.
- Add 1 diced sweet onion to the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent.
- Sprinkle 2 packets of taco seasoning over the meat. Pour in 1 cup water and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Remove skillet from heat. Fold in 2 cups tomatillo salsa, 1 cup sour cream, 2 cans black beans, and 2 cans corn until thoroughly combined.
- Crush 2 cups Frito corn chips. Spread them evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Pour the entire beef and bean mixture over the crushed chips, creating an even layer.
- Scatter 3 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Arrange remaining 2 cups whole Frito corn chips over the cheese layer.
- Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 5 more minutes until cheese melts and chips turn golden.
- Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with optional garnishes like chopped cilantro or sliced jalapeños.
Notes
- Crushing the chips creates a sturdy base that helps absorb the casserole’s moisture and provides a nice textural contrast.
- Draining excess fat from the ground beef keeps the casserole from becoming too greasy and maintains a balanced flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional corn chips for gluten-free tortilla chips or corn chips made from alternative grains.
- Fresh ingredients like homemade salsa or just-chopped cilantro can elevate the casserole’s overall taste and make the dish feel more vibrant.
- Prep Time: 10-13 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 503 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg