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Walking Taco Casserole

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Turn a crowd-favorite walking taco into an easy meal for all. Juicy beef and beans are baked with cheese and chips, then topped fresh for ultimate crunch.

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Updated on Tue, 06 May 2025 13:37:10 GMT
A tray of crispy chips layered with beef, beans, melted cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Pin it
A tray of crispy chips layered with beef, beans, melted cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. | chefmelt.com

I whipped up this taco bake for my kid's team dinner and folks haven't stopped asking for it since. It's got everything you love about those handheld walking tacos but piled into one dish - crunchy corn chips, flavorful meat, gooey cheese, and whatever toppings make you happy. Now we throw it together whenever we're rushed, hosting a game night, or just need something that'll put smiles on everyone's faces.

What Makes This Special

You'll get that fantastic combo of textures and tastes in every forkful - the snap of chips, hearty meat, and melted cheese that stretches with each bite. It comes together in no time but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon. The best part? Everyone can load up their portion exactly how they want, making mealtime both fun and fuss-free.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Your Foundation: Ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic and taco seasoning mix.
  • Added Flavor: Canned pinto beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and lots of shredded cheese.
  • Crunch Factor: Family-size bag of corn chips - they're the star here.
  • Top It Off: Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, dollops of sour cream, and maybe some diced avocado and fresh herbs.

Cooking Steps

Create Your Base
Brown the beef with onions and garlic until everything's nicely cooked and smelling fantastic.
Amp Up Taste
Mix in your beans, tomatoes and seasoning, then let everything bubble together for a bit.
Stack It
Spread meat mixture in your dish, sprinkle cheese, add chips, then finish with another cheese layer because more is better.
Bake To Perfection
Pop it in the oven until everything's hot and bubbly, then add all your fresh toppings just before you bring it to the table.
A close-up of a glass casserole dish filled with layered taco ingredients, including ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and corn, topped with sour cream and green onions. Pin it
A close-up of a glass casserole dish filled with layered taco ingredients, including ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and corn, topped with sour cream and green onions. | chefmelt.com

Pro Tips

Make sure that cheese goes everywhere so nobody misses out. Wait until the last minute to add those chips so they stay super crispy. Need more kick? Grab spicy tomatoes or throw in some sliced jalapeños. My personal trick? I always sneak in a bit more cheese on top because you can't go wrong there.

Presentation Ideas

Get a little station going with all the toppings so everyone can dress up their portion. Fresh crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and cool sour cream really lift the whole dish. Keep the chip bag nearby for folks who want extra crunch on their serving.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep what's left in your fridge for around 3 days, but fair warning - those chips won't stay crunchy. Want to prep ahead? Cook your meat mix and keep it ready, then just toss in the cheese and chips when you're ready to bake. This trick makes busy evenings way smoother.

Switch Things Up

Ground turkey works great here, and so do meat alternatives if that's your thing. Try using black beans instead of pinto or go wild with different cheese blends. Sometimes I toss in corn or sliced olives - whatever's hanging out in my pantry. This dish rolls with whatever you've got on hand.

A skillet filled with layers of nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Pin it
A skillet filled with layers of nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. | chefmelt.com

Personalize Your Plate

Try different garnishes each time you make it - maybe some tangy pickled jalapeños tonight or fresh guacamole tomorrow. My little ones pile on extra cheese while my spouse can't get enough hot sauce. That's what makes dinner fun at our house - everyone gets to build their perfect bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this early?

Sure! Cook the beef mix and pop it in the fridge. Add chips and cheese before baking so the crunch stays fresh.

→ What can I use if I don’t have Fritos?

Any corn chips work, like tortilla chips. Just choose ones that won't go soggy under toppings.

→ Can I try other beans?

Absolutely! Black or kidney beans taste great too. Mix them up for something different.

→ How do I store any that's left?

Keep chips separate from the beef mix. Reheat leftovers and toss on new chips to enjoy that crunch again.

→ How can I add more heat?

Top with sliced jalapeños, drizzle hot sauce, or toss in spicy salsa before serving. Spicy RO*TEL works too!

Conclusion

This fun and easy walking taco dish combines savory beef, beans, and crunchy chips in a single pan. Ideal for family dinners, it's loaded with everything you love about tacos, all baked to perfection.

Walking Taco Casserole

Layers of seasoned beef, beans, gooey cheese, and crunchy chips bring this taco-inspired bake together. Packed with fun and flavor.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Tex-Mex Fusion

Yield: 6 Servings (Serves 6)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans.
02 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio).
03 2 tablespoons cooking oil.
04 3 tablespoons of your favorite taco seasoning.
05 1 scallion, chopped finely.
06 1 white onion, chopped into small pieces.
07 4 garlic cloves, minced.
08 1 can (10 oz) tomatoes with green chilies.
09 1½ cups grated cheddar cheese.
10 Salt and pepper, adjust to taste.
11 1 cup chunky salsa.
12 9 oz bag of Fritos.
13 Optional toppings: jalapeños, shredded lettuce, sour cream, scallions.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm the oil, toss in onion and garlic, and let them cook for about 6-8 minutes until soft and golden.

Step 02

Drop the ground beef into the skillet, crumble it up with a spatula, and cook it until the pink's gone, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 03

Sprinkle in taco seasoning, beans, and scallions. Mix it all up and let it cook for another minute or two.

Step 04

Throw in the salsa and diced tomatoes. Let it bubble gently for 8-10 minutes so the flavors blend nicely.

Step 05

Spoon into a casserole dish, layer with cheese and chips, and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

Step 06

Pile on any extras you like on top and serve it up hot.

Notes

  1. Taste your taco seasoning first to see if you need extra salt.
  2. Use as many or as few chips as you'd like.
  3. Feel free to experiment with your favorite toppings.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet (12-inch).
  • Casserole dish (9x13-inch).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 629
  • Total Fat: 39 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 29 g