Description
Mexican-inspired Walking Taco Casserole brings layered comfort to dinner tables with bold Tex-Mex flavors. Crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet (28 g) taco seasoning
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips (Fritos or Doritos)
- 1 (10 oz or 284 g) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained
- 1 (15 oz or 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (75 g) diced tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ¼ cup (15 g) sliced jalapenos
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray or butter.
- Meat Infusion: Brown ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium heat, eliminating excess fat. Incorporate taco seasoning, Rotel, black beans, and a splash of water. Allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat source.
- Layering Technique: Create a foundational layer of crushed tortilla chips across the baking dish’s bottom. Distribute seasoned beef evenly, ensuring complete coverage. Generously cascade shredded cheese across the meat layer, creating a melty blanket.
- Baking Finale: Transfer casserole to preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, watching for cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling landscape. Remove when cheese achieves perfect melted consistency and edges show slight crispy texture.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a healthier casserole without compromising flavor.
- Adjust taco seasoning quantity based on personal spice preference; taste the mixture before layering to ensure perfect flavor intensity.
- Add remaining crushed chips during final 5 minutes of baking to maintain crispy texture and prevent soggy bottom layer.
- Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for vegetarian version; use dairy-free cheese for vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg