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Mouth-watering Walking Taco Casserole is a versatile and family-friendly recipe, a Mexican-inspired dish sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. This recipe is a perfect, quick, easy family dinner that can be ready in under 30 minutes. This taco bake features layers of seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, Frito corn chips, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.
We’re huge fans of classic tacos, taco salad, taco soup, and all things taco in our home. And this easy to make walking taco casserole has quickly become a new family favorite.
This is such a great easy family dinner recipe that is quick to put together even on our busiest days.
What is Walking Taco Casserole?
A walking taco is ground beef taco meat, plus all your favorite taco toppings added to a bag of Fritos or Doritos. Preparing the recipe in individual bags lets you enjoy your “taco” while walking around at games, fairs, or events. It’s also a great party food that people can easily customize.
This recipe takes that idea and makes it even easier by making it into a taco casserole, perfect for a family dinner at home!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef: the protein base of the taco casserole. Substitute with ground turkey or chicken if desired.
- Black Beans: Use one can of black beans drained and rinsed. Substitute with pinto beans if preferred.
- Taco Seasoning: Use a store-bought seasoning blend or our homemade taco seasoning blend.
- Tomato Sauce: Use any brand of tomato sauce.
- Corn Chips: Fritos are a popular option, you can also try using Doritos for more flavor options.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
You can always use a store-bought taco seasoning of your own choice, or you can use this homemade taco seasoning. Amounts of each are included in the recipe card below.
- Chili Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Mexican Oregano
- Cumin
- Salt
How to Make Walking Taco Casserole
- Cook the ground beef in an oven safe skillet over medium heat, breaking up the meat while it cooks. Add in the taco seasoning when the meat is mostly browned and continue to stir around to coat the meat while it cooks.
- When the meat is completely cooked, and no longer pink, add in the black beans and stir to coat in the taco seasoning mixture. Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, then top with the corn chips. Bake the casserole in the oven or place the lid on the skillet and continue to heat on the stovetop until the cheese is completely melted. For best results, sprinkle some cheese on top of the corn chips also.
- Top the casserole with desired toppings! The possibilities are endless, each person can add their own favorite taco toppings.
Variations & Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Green onion
- Cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
- Salsa or guacamole
- Chips: try this taco bake recipe with Doritos, Chili Cheese Fritos, or other chip of your choice!
Storage Information
- Storage: store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: store casserole in a freezer safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw by removing to the refrigerator overnight. Reheat by baking in the oven
- Reheating: bake leftovers in the oven at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Add fresh chips if you still have some.
More Quick and Easy Tex Mex Meals
Walking Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder mild
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups corn chips
Toppings
- shredded lettuce
- tomato diced
- cilantro diced
- sour cream
- guacamole
- jalapeno sliced
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet with a lid. Heat over medium heat and break up the meat while it cooks.
- When the meat is starting to brown, add the seasoning blend and stir to completely coat the meat. Continue to cook until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Once meat is completely cooked, stir in the black beans, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the meat mixture, then top with corn chips. Sprinkle extra cheese on top (the two layers of cheese helps the chips stick to the casserole when dishing up).
- Cover with the lid and continue to heat over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the cheese has completely melted.
- Remove the skillet from heat, serve and add desired toppings.
Video
Notes
- Storage: store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: store casserole in a freezer safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw by removing to the refrigerator overnight. Reheat by baking in the oven
- Reheating: bake leftovers in the oven at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Add fresh chips if you still have some.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
