Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired Walking Taco Casserole brings zesty layers of ground beef, crunchy chips, and melted cheese into one irresistible comfort dish. Comfort meets convenience in this crowd-pleasing meal you can easily prepare for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680g) ground beef
- 15 ounces (425g) pinto beans
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, minced
- 0.5 cup (125 milliliters) salsa
- 10 ounces (425g) rotel tomatoes
Topping and Cheese:
- 9.25 ounces (156g) fritos or cheesy doritos
- 2 cups (250g) mexican blend cheese
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for this hearty casserole.
- Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it transforms to a rich, caramel-brown color, carefully draining any lingering fat.
- Introduce minced garlic and crimson onions to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate pinto beans, zesty salsa, Rotel tomatoes, and vibrant taco seasoning, letting the mixture simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Lovingly transfer the robust beef mixture into a waiting baking dish, creating a foundation of savory goodness.
- Artfully layer Fritos or Doritos across the surface, creating a crunchy landscape, then generously blanket with shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, golden blanket.
- Present immediately, with optional embellishments of chopped green onions, cool sour cream, or creamy guacamole to elevate the dining experience.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter protein option perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Use gluten-free corn chips like late-july or siete brands to make this dish celiac and gluten-sensitive friendly.
- Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or corn into the meat mixture for extra vegetables and color complexity.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, which allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight dinners super convenient.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg