Walking Taco Casserole

Here’s a fun, crowd-pleasing Walking Taco Casserole recipe — all the bold, cheesy, crunchy flavors of a walking taco (aka taco-in-a-bag) layered into a warm, bubbly casserole. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or game day.

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🌮 Walking Taco Casserole

🔸 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)

• ⅔ cup water

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans or kidney beans, drained (optional)

• 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel diced tomatoes with green chiles (or regular diced tomatoes)

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

• 3 cups corn chips (like Fritos), slightly crushed

• Sour cream, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions — for topping

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🔹 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the meat mixture:

   • In a skillet, brown ground beef with the diced onion over medium heat until fully cooked.

   • Drain fat. Add taco seasoning and water.

   • Stir in Ro-Tel and beans (if using), and simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.

3. Assemble the casserole:

   • Layer 1: Spread half the crushed corn chips on the bottom of the dish.

   • Layer 2: Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the chips.

   • Layer 3: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.

4. Bake:

   • Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Serve:

   • Top with remaining crushed chips right before serving for crunch.

   • Garnish with your favorite taco toppings: sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, salsa, etc.

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✨ Tips:

• Swap Fritos for crushed Doritos or tortilla chips for a twist.

• Make it spicy with hot taco seasoning or pepper jack cheese.

• Leftovers reheat well — just add fresh chips to bring back the crunch.

Would you like a low-carb or vegetarian version of this dish?