Description
Grab your favorite casserole dish and dive into Walking Taco Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dinner that brings together all the zesty flavors of taco night in one simple, satisfying meal. Layers of crunchy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a quick comfort food that makes weeknight dinners totally delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Legumes:
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup corn
Base and Cheese:
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Warm your oven to exactly 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Sauté 1 lb ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Stir 1 packet of taco seasoning and ¼ cup water into the beef. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.
- Mix in 1 can of black beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, and 1 cup of corn. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Crush 3 cups of tortilla chips and spread them evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the entire beef and vegetable mixture directly over the crushed chips, creating an even layer.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, covering all surfaces.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes to help meld the flavors.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until your cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with your favorite taco toppings like fresh diced tomatoes, crisp lettuce, or creamy avocado slices before serving.
Notes
- Crush chips completely to create an even base that helps the casserole hold together nicely when serving.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the dish soggy and ensure a crisp texture.
- Choose high-quality shredded cheese that melts smoothly and creates a rich, creamy layer across the casserole.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef for ground turkey or use a plant-based meat alternative to reduce calories and fat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 53 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 433 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg