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35-Minute Walking Taco Casserole Recipe Your Family Craves Recipe

35-Minute Walking Taco Casserole Recipe Your Family Craves Recipe

5.2 from 15 reviews

This 35-Minute Walking Taco Casserole is a family-friendly, easy-to-make dish combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and crunchy tortilla chips topped with melted cheddar cheese. Finished with fresh toppings like sour cream, lettuce, tomato, olives, and cilantro, it’s a flavorful, comforting meal that captures all the joy of walking tacos in convenient casserole form.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup water

Canned Goods

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained

Base

  • 1 bag (10 oz) tortilla chips, crushed

Cheese and Dairy

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream

Fresh Toppings

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 diced tomato
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
  3. Season the beef: Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then stir in the taco seasoning packet and 1 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  4. Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the dish.
  5. Layer the beef: Evenly spread the seasoned ground beef mixture over the crushed tortilla chips.
  6. Add beans and corn: Sprinkle the black beans and corn evenly over the beef layer to build texture and flavor.
  7. Top with cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire surface to create a melty topping.
  8. Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Cool slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes to set and avoid burns.
  10. Add fresh toppings: Garnish the casserole with dollops of sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced black olives, and chopped cilantro for freshness and added flavor.

Notes

  • If you prefer a spicier casserole, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
  • For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef and reduce the cheese to 1 cup.
  • Feel free to substitute tortilla chips with gluten-free chips if needed.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • To keep the chips crispy, add the fresh toppings right before serving rather than before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: walking taco casserole, taco casserole, ground beef casserole, quick dinner, Mexican casserole, easy family meal