Here’s a fun and hearty Walking Taco Casserole recipe — all the flavors of a walking taco baked into a convenient, cheesy casserole.
🌮 Walking Taco Casserole
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2–3 tbsp homemade)
- 1 cup salsa or diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup corn (optional)
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped lettuce, chopped tomatoes, guacamole
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Meat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning, salsa, corn, and black beans. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
2️⃣ Assemble the Casserole
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips.
- Pour meat mixture over chips.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese and a few extra crushed chips for crunch.
3️⃣ Bake
- Bake 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
4️⃣ Serve
- Serve hot with optional toppings: sour cream, lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or guacamole.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Cheesy: Mix in pepper jack or Monterey Jack cheese for extra flavor.
- Vegetable boost: Add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Make ahead: Assemble casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; bake before serving.
- Gluten-free option: Use corn tortilla chips and check taco seasoning for gluten content.
If you like, I can provide a restaurant-style Walking Taco Casserole recipe with layers of seasoned beef, melty cheese, crunchy chips, and all the classic taco toppings that’s indulgent, messy, and super flavorful.
