Walking taco casserole is a tasty casserole dish loaded with beef, taco flavors, and taco toppings, topped with melty cheese. It is the perfect dinner-night casserole. If you have a taco-loving family, then you are going to want to add this walking taco casserole recipe to your meal rotation.
Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
Walking Taco Casserole is a fun take on walking tacos. Loaded with flavorful ground beef, chips and then topped with your favorite taco toppings this taco casserole is always a hit when I make it.
Walking tacos are great for parties, but for an at home meal the better option is making walking taco casserole. It has everything that you love about walking tacos in an easy to make casserole recipe.
I love that when I make this recipe for dinner I am able to look in the fridge, see what we have and then make it with things I have on hand that fit with it. It makes for a great use up the produce in the fridge dinner recipe that I know is going to be a hit with the kids.
Easy Dinner Recipes
Variations of this recipe
There are things that you can change up with this recipe depending on what you have on hand.
You can change up the cheese. You can use Monterey jack cheese, Mexican blend cheese, white cheddar cheese, or sharp cheddar cheese. I do prefer shredding my own cheese as I find it melts better.
Change up the meat. If you are not a fan of ground beef then you can use ground chicken or ground turkey.
Add toppings. The toppings you put on your walking taco casserole are up to you. Here are some suggestions:
- shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Sliced black olives
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Jalapeño slices (fresh or pickled)
- Chopped onions (white, red, or green onions)
- Fresh cilantro
- Chopped green chiles
- Refried or black beans
- Sautéed peppers and onions
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat mixture and assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead of time, but don’t add the top layer of Fritos until right before baking.
How should I store leftovers?
Allow the casserole dish to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze Walking Taco Casserole?
You can freeze the cooked meat mixture separately. It’s best to assemble with chips and cheese right before baking.
What protein can I substitute for ground beef?
Try using ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken. All would be a great substitution.
What Can I use instead of Chili Cheese Fritos?
You can use fritos corn chips, Doritos or tortilla chips instead of the Chili Cheese Fritos.
How can I make this casserole spicy?
Add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy Rotel (diced tomatoes with habaneros) to make it spicy.
Tips for Making this Recipe
There are some tips that will help you make this the best walking taco casserole.
- Wait to add fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, or sour cream until after baking and just before serving.
- After browning the ground beef, make sure to drain the grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Putting Fritos on both the bottom and top adds texture. The bottom layer will soften slightly, soaking up flavor, white the top stays crispy.
- The liquid from the diced tomatoes help create a saucy base for the meat mixture. Make sure you do not drain the tomatoes before adding them in.
- Sharp cheddar melts well but you can also try mixing in Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack.
- Don’t add the top layer of Fritos until just before baking, especially if you are preparing the casserole ahead of time.
- If serving to kids or spice sensitive eaters, use mild taco seasoning and plain diced tomatoes.
- After baking, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Walking Taco Casserole Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet of taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (don’t drain)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 9.25 oz bag Chili Cheese Fritos
- Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions
How to Make Taco Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
If you are using block cheese, shred it. You can also use pre-shredded cheese if you prefer.
In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes into the cooked ground beef. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Layer half the Fritos in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Spread the ground beef mixture over the chips evenly.
Sprinkle it with cheese and top with remaining Fritos.
Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Serve with your favorite toppings!
Easy Taco Recipes
Walking Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet of taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons or homemade taco seasoning
- 15 ounces canned black beans 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned corn 15 oz corn, drained
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies (don’t drain)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 9.25 oz Chili Cheese Fritos
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If you are using block cheese, shred it. You can also use pre-shredded cheese if you prefer.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes into the cooked ground beef. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Layer half the Fritos in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread the ground beef mixture over the chips evenly.
- Sprinkle it with cheese and top with remaining Fritos.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with your favorite toppings!
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