Walking Taco Casserole
Walking Taco Casserole is a fun and delicious twist on the classic walking taco. This dish combines all of your favorite taco ingredients into one hearty casserole. It’s perfect for family dinners, parties, or as a comforting meal after a long day. With layers of meat, cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, it’s a sure crowd-pleaser!
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a great way to enjoy tacos without the mess. It’s easy to prepare, and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. Plus, it’s an excellent way to feed a hungry group. You can also make it in advance and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve. Enjoying Walking Taco Casserole is like having a taco in a convenient, shareable form!
How to Make Walking Taco Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole
Directions:
- Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup water, simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spoon half of the cooked meat mixture over the chips.
- Add half of the black beans, corn, and salsa. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat layers with remaining chips, meat, beans, corn, salsa, and cheese.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5–10 minutes more until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, green onions, or jalapeños.
How to Serve Walking Taco Casserole
Serve the casserole hot right out of the oven. You can scoop it onto plates or let people serve themselves directly from the baking dish. Add any desired toppings to make it extra special.
How to Store Walking Taco Casserole
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. To reheat, just warm it in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make Walking Taco Casserole
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add more veggies like bell peppers or onions for extra flavor and nutrition.
- If you like it spicy, add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- Experiment with different types of cheese or salsa to suit your taste.
Variation
To make a vegetarian version, you can replace the meat with quinoa or lentils and add more veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
FAQs
1. Can I use different types of meat?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a different flavor.
2. Can I make this casserole in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
3. What toppings can I add?
You can add sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, or any of your other favorite taco toppings!
Walking Taco Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup water, simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spoon half of the cooked meat mixture over the chips.
- Add half of the black beans, corn, and salsa. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat layers with remaining chips, meat, beans, corn, salsa, and cheese.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for 5–10 minutes more until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
