Our Walking Taco Casserole is layered with juicy ground beef, beans and corn, all seasoned with Tex-Mex spices on crunchy Frito corn chips. Top with diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, shredded cheese, and salsa. This quick casserole is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something exciting to make with ground beef.
Why You'll Love This Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
Remember the iconic "walking tacos" from school lunch days? Those crunchy bags brimming with seasoned meat, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings?
This casserole boasts layers of flavor and texture that keep every bite exciting. Each scoop delivers a satisfying crunch from the corn chips, perfectly balanced by the seasoned taco meat, shredded cheese, and salsa.
- Flavor Fiesta: Savory ground beef seasoned to perfection, black beans, and crunchy corn chips create great flavor.
- Quick and Easy: Whip it up in under an hour with simple ingredients and minimal prep. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Budget friendly: Low cost, any ground meat can be used.
- Family friendly: Not only will it bring back memories of the iconic "walking tacos" from school lunch days, but your children will give you their stamp of approval also!
Guaranteed to be a hit with people of all ages, from picky eaters to seasoned taco aficionados, this hearty casserole will feed a crowd.
Ingredients Overview
Pantry staples like corn chips, a jar of salsa or taco sauce, and cans of corn and black beans transform into a weeknight hero. Ready in under an hour this quick, weeknight dinner will be your new ground beef go-to dinner!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make A Walking Taco Casserole
Beyond the drool-worthy deliciousness, this taco casserole boasts convenience and versatility. It's perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or game days.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 F, and prepare at 9 x 13 or 2 quart casserole with non stick spray. Set aside.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to a skillet and brown with the onions and minced garlic, or garlic powder. Add the taco seasoning, and cook until the ground beef is no longer pink.
Step 3: Add the water, taco sauce (or salsa), and sour cream, stirring well while cooking until thickened.
Step 4: Add the black beans and corn kernels, stir and remove from the heat.
Step 5: Layer half the corn chips in a baking dish, followed by the meat mixture and half the cheese. Top with remaining chips and cheese. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let cool slightly before serving with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and salsa or taco sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Walking Taco Casserole with a side of cilantro lime rice, black beans, or a simple green salad. For extra flavor, add a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of your favorite salsa or Mexican white sauce. And, don't forget the classic guacamole.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this walking taco casserole recipe.
- Instead of corn and black beans, make a layer of refried beans on top of the ground beef layer.
- You don't have to add corn chips to the bottom.
- Ground turkey, chicken, or even Impossible Meat can be used as well.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making the best Walking Taco Casserole:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Let the casserole cool slightly before digging in.
- Experiment with different cheese types like queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- Leftover casserole with out topping on it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze portions in individual containers for quick and easy meals.
- Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Related Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Crushed tortilla chips or even Doritos work well as substitutes.
Not at all! You can substitute them with refried beans, pinto beans, or even omit the beans entirely.
You can use your favorite spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create your own blend.
Budget Dinner Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Walking Taco Casserole
Equipment
- CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet,Classic Granite, 9.5-Inch)
- Deep Saute Skillet
- Ceramic 9x13 Casserole Dish
- CorningWare 2.5 Oval Casserole
Ingredients
For The Taco Casserole
- 1 lb Ground Beef 85% lean
- ½ large Onion diced finely.
- 1 envelope Taco Seasoning
- 1 clove Garlic minced or powder
- ½ cup Water
- 1 cup Taco Sauce or salsa
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 15 oz Black beans canned
- 15 oz Corn frozen or one can
- 9.25 oz Corn Chips original bag size
- 2 cup Cheese Mexican Blend shredded cheese.
Toppings
- 4 cups Lettuce shredded
- 1 large Tomatoes diced
- Avocado sliced, optional
- Cilantro chopped, optional
- Black olives sliced, optional
- Jalapenos sliced, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F, and prepare at 9 x 13 or 2 quart casserole with non stick spray. Set aside.
- Add the ground beef to a skillet and brown with the onions and minced garlic, or garlic powder. Add the taco seasoning, and cook until the ground beef is no longer pink.1 lb Ground Beef, ½ large Onion, 1 clove Garlic, 1 envelope Taco Seasoning
- Add the water, taco sauce (or salsa), and sour cream, stirring well while cooking until thickened.½ cup Water, 1 cup Taco Sauce, ½ cup Sour Cream
- Add the black beans and corn kernels, stir and remove from the heat.15 oz Black beans, 15 oz Corn
- Layer half the corn chips in a baking dish, followed by the meat mixture and half the cheese.9.25 oz Corn Chips, 2 cup Cheese
- Top with remaining chips and cheese. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and salsa or taco sauce.4 cups Lettuce, 1 large Tomatoes, Avocado , Cilantro, Black olives, Jalapenos
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Let the casserole cool slightly before digging in.
- Experiment with different cheese types like queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
Kelly Bloom says
My family loved this!