Description
Walking Taco Casserole is a delicious and easy Tex-Mex inspired baked dish that combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with crunchy corn chips and melted cheese. Topped with fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and jalapeños, this casserole offers all the flavors of a walking taco in a convenient, crowd-pleasing one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Assembly & Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 3 cups crushed corn chips (like Fritos)
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is fully browned and the onion has softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish balanced and less oily.
- Add Seasoning and Simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water into the cooked beef and onion mixture. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld.
- Mix in Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes: Add the drained black beans, frozen corn if using, and diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Stir until everything is evenly combined and heated through.
- Layer Corn Chips: Spread a layer of crushed corn chips evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a crunchy base for your casserole.
- Layer Beef Mixture: Spoon the flavorful beef and bean mixture over the crushed corn chips, distributing it evenly across the dish.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese over the beef layer. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Cool and Add Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Just before serving, top with additional crushed corn chips, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, dollops of sour cream, and sliced jalapeños for added freshness, crunch, and heat.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For buffet-style serving, keep the corn chips and fresh toppings separate to prevent sogginess.
