Nothing is better than coming home after a busy day to a warm walking taco casserole. This heavenly dish contains the best of taco salad in the form of casserole. It’s something different, yet similar that will bring a smile to your face. Most importantly, your entire family will enjoy this dish.
This delicious dish is made of succulent ground beef, Frito chips, and shredded cheese layered in a large baking dish and topped with tomatoes and lettuce. It’s the perfect way to use your leftovers in the fridge and reduce your food waste.
What is walking taco casserole?
Walking Taco Casserole is a creative twist on the concept of a walking taco, transforming it into a baked casserole dish. It typically layers ingredients commonly found in tacos, such as seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and crushed taco chips or Fritos.
This casserole is designed to mimic the flavors of a walking taco, which is a portable taco assembled inside a bag of chips, but in a form that’s more suitable for family dinners or gatherings. It’s a fun, easy-to-make dish that’s both flavorful and convenient, perfect for a casual meal or a party.
How To Make Walking Taco Casserole
This Walking Taco Casserole is a dish that masterfully blends everyday ingredients into an extraordinary flavor experience.
The combination of flavors in this meal is out of this world. Yet, the recipe requires simple, everyday ingredients you can find everywhere. In fact, you probably have most of them in your kitchen right now.
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and their roles:
- Lean Ground Beef (90% lean recommended): This is the heart of the casserole, offering robust flavor without excessive grease. For a healthier alternative, ground turkey seamlessly fits in.
- Taco Seasoning Mix: A convenient, time-saving gem that infuses your casserole with the quintessential Mexican flavors. While homemade seasoning has its charm, the pre-made mix is a practical and flavorful shortcut.
- Frito Chips, Nacho Cheese Chips, or Tortilla Chips: Choose any of these to add the essential crunchy texture to your casserole, elevating it with an extra layer of flavor.
- Shredded Cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Mexican blend): This melty delight binds the ingredients together. Opt for pepper jack if you’re inclined towards a spicier profile.
- Fresh Lettuce: Brings a crisp, refreshing element, essential for that taco salad feel.
- Tomatoes (cherry or any variety): These juicy additions top off your casserole with a burst of freshness, complementing the rich and savory layers beneath.
- Onion: Needs to be chopped
- Shredded lettuce: For sprinkling on the casserole
Video
Walking Taco Casserole (With Video)
8
servings20
minutes30
minutes450
kcalIn such a short amount of time you can prepare and cook this unique walking taco casserole recipe, ready for the entire family to enjoy. Serves 8 people and rarely do I find there is anything left over at the end.
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 pounds of delicious premium ground beef
1 large onion, needs to be chopped
1 can Green Chilies, small can
2 ounces Cream Cheese
1 bag Fritos Corn Chips
2 cans black beans
1 cup water
2 packages Taco Seasoning Mix (1 oz. each)
1 pack shredded Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese (8oz)
2 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
3/4 cup tomatoes, chopped, ensure it is kept fresh
16 ocs of Salsa
8 ounces sour cream
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Put the ground beef in a large skillet and cook over medium heat. Once the meat is no longer pink, drain it to make sure there’s no liquid left in the skillet.
- Add the water and taco seasoning mix and stir well until cooked properly. Make sure you follow the instructions on the package.
- Grease 11×7 inch baking dish. Put the mixture into the baking dish and top it with Frito chips and shredded cheese.
- Cover the dish and bake until the cheese is melted and the meat is fully heated, which should take around half an hour.
- Remove the lid during the last ten minutes of cooking and spread the chopped tomatoes and the shredded lettuce before serving.
- Enjoy.
Notes
- Cook at 350 degree heat for 25-30 minutes or if you begin to see the cheese bubble.
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Cooking Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks when it comes to the preparation of this Walking Taco Casserole recipe:
- Use 80 to 90% lean ground beef if you want to make a healthier version of Walking Taco Casserole. This type of ground beef has less saturated fat which makes the whole meal healthier. Another option is to use ground turkey. When it comes to the other ingredients, healthier alternatives include reduced-sodium ingredients and reduced-fat shredded cheese. The meal is so delicious that no one will notice the difference.
- Even though the recipe requires Monterey Jack and Colby cheese, you can also use sharp cheddar cheese for a richer and more pronounced flavor.
- If you top it off with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, you’ll make yourself a typical Mexican dish.
- Tortilla chips and corn chips are great for this recipe, but feel free to add beans, olives, guacamole, jalapeno, or another taco ingredient.
- Avoid buying pre-made shredded cheese to save some money. Instead, shred it yourself.
- To crush your chips into about ¼ inch pieces, use a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- You can also add Pico de gallo, corn, or bell peppers into the ground beef mix for a different version of this recipe.
How to Store and Prepare in Advance
One of the best things about this meal is that you can make a huge batch in advance and store it in the fridge for later use. In that way, you’ll have a quick and delicious dinner in no time.
If you want to make it ahead of time, brown, drain, and season the ground beef and let it cool in the greased baking dish. Store it in the fridge wrapped with plastic wrap or foil.
When you want it served, just remove it from the fridge, cover it with chips and shredded cheese, and put it in a preheated oven to 350°F.
After baking for about 25 minutes, remove the lid and bake for a few more minutes to make sure the cheese is melted. Then, just add the lettuce and tomato and your casserole is ready.
To store your leftover casserole properly so that it can last for 3 to 4 more days, transfer it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. However, don’t forget to remove the lettuce before reheating it in the oven or microwave to prevent it from becoming all soggy. Once warm, place it back and serve.
What is the difference between a taco and a walking taco?
A traditional taco is an open-faced dish with a corn or flour tortilla filled with ingredients like meat, cheese, and salsa, typically eaten by hand. In contrast, a walking taco is a portable version where taco fillings are added into a bag of corn chips, such as Fritos or Doritos, making it convenient to eat on the go with a fork, ideal for outdoor events or fairs.
Why is it called a walking taco?
The term “walking taco” originated from the fact that it allows you to enjoy all the flavors and ingredients of a traditional taco while being portable and easy to eat on the go. By combining the taco fillings with corn chips in a bag, it becomes a convenient handheld meal that you can walk around with, making it perfect for events or outdoor activities.
Conclusion
This is probably the easiest and quickest way to make your own Walking Taco Casserole that will make your taste buds go crazy. Try it out and share it with your loved ones.
Let us know down below in the comments section how you make your walking taco casserole and send us a picture once you’ve completed your own version. We love to add these to our Facebook page.
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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.