✔ Updated · fixed card, crisp-chip method + make-ahead
Walking taco casserole turns the classic chips-in-a-bag snack into a family dinner: seasoned ground beef and beans, melted cheese and crunchy corn chips, topped like a taco. It takes about 50 minutes, serves eight, and it’s my go-to for a game-night crowd.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Add the corn chips for the last few minutes of baking, not at the start. They stay crunchy instead of soaking up the sauce.
Why You'll Love This Walking Taco Casserole
- All the walking taco flavor, with no chip bags to juggle.
- Crunchy on top, creamy and cheesy underneath.
- Easy to customize with your favorite taco toppings.
What Is a Walking Taco Casserole?
A walking taco is taco meat, cheese and toppings spooned straight into a small bag of corn chips. This casserole bakes the same flavors in one dish, so the chips become a crunchy, cheesy topping over seasoned beef and beans.
It is a great way to feed a crowd and use pantry staples. For more ideas, see our crockpot taco soup and how much taco meat per person guide.
What You Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Lean ground beef: 90% lean keeps the casserole from turning greasy. Ground turkey works too.
- Taco seasoning: a 1-ounce packet or homemade seasoning.
- Black beans, green chilies and cream cheese: make the filling hearty and creamy.
- Colby Jack cheese: melts well. Cheddar or pepper jack also work.
- Corn chips: the walking taco crunch. Tortilla chips or nacho cheese chips also work.
- Toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa.
How To Make Walking Taco Casserole
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Keep the chips crunchy. Add them only for the last 5 to 7 minutes of baking, and never cover the dish once they are on. I learned this one the soggy way.
- Drain the beef well. Extra fat makes the casserole greasy and the chips soggy.
- Cook ground beef to 160°F. Check the thickest clump with an instant-read thermometer before adding the seasoning.
- Crush the chips lightly. Press the bag gently or use a rolling pin. Big pieces give the best crunch; dust burns.
- Add cold toppings at the end. Lettuce and tomatoes go on after baking so they stay fresh and crisp.
Video
Walking Taco Casserole
8
servings15
minutes35
minutes610
kcal50
minutesAn easy walking taco casserole: taco-seasoned ground beef with onion, black beans, green chilies and a little cream cheese, baked under melted Colby Jack and crunchy corn chips, then finished with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa.
Ingredients
- For the Taco Filling
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 large onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz packet or homemade)
2/3 cup water
1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz), undrained
2 oz cream cheese, softened
- For the Topping
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
4 cups corn chips, lightly crushed (about a 9-oz bag)
2 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
3/4 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
Directions
- Make the Filling
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, for 8 to 10 minutes, until no pink remains and the beef reaches 160°F on an instant-read thermometer. Drain off the fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the black beans, green chilies and cream cheese until the cream cheese melts.
- Bake
- Spread the filling in the baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
- Scatter the crushed corn chips over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes more, until the cheese melts.
- Let it stand for 5 minutes, then top with the lettuce and tomatoes. Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side or spooned on top.
Notes
- Cook at 350 degree heat for 25-30 minutes or if you begin to see the cheese bubble.
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Topping and Swap Ideas
- More toppings: sliced black olives, pickled jalapeños, guacamole, pico de gallo or chopped green onions.
- Extra veggies: stir corn or diced bell peppers into the beef filling.
- Spicier: use pepper jack cheese and hot salsa.
- Lighter: use ground turkey and plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a walking taco casserole?
It is a baked version of the walking taco, the snack where taco meat and toppings are spooned into a bag of corn chips. The casserole layers taco-seasoned ground beef, beans and cheese in a baking dish, tops it with crunchy corn chips, then adds lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa.
Why is it called a walking taco?
A walking taco is served right in a small bag of chips, so you can eat it with a fork while you walk around a fair, game or party. This casserole uses the same ingredients but is baked in one dish to feed a family.
Can I make walking taco casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Make the beef filling up to 2 days ahead, cool it, and refrigerate it in the baking dish. When ready, top with cheese and bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until hot in the center (165°F), then add the chips and remaining cheese and bake 5 to 7 minutes more.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Scrape off the lettuce and tomatoes, then refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven or the microwave until steaming hot, 165°F in the center. The chips soften in the fridge, so add a handful of fresh ones when serving.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken works well with the same seasoning. Cook it to 165°F, and add a teaspoon of oil to the pan because poultry is leaner than beef. You can also use a mix of ground beef and turkey.
Love this recipe, thank you for sharing. My family loved this, was so easy to make.
Turned out great used doritos instead of corn chips
Do you add the salsa to the meat mixture or just serve it as a topping. Can’t wait to make this.
3 people in my house all read the instructions and even tho the ingredients called for chopped onion nowhere in instructions did it say where to add onion so used my years of cooking experience and added after browning meat.