Description
This Walking Taco Casserole is a delicious, easy-to-make layered dish combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and crunchy Fritos corn chips, all topped with melted Mexican-style cheese and fresh toppings like green onions, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gatherings, it offers a comforting blend of Tex-Mex flavors baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped finely
- 1 package taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 can black beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (10 ounces)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips (9.25 ounces)
- 2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
Toppings
- Green onions, sliced
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until almost cooked through. Add the finely chopped onion and continue cooking until the onions are soft and the meat is fully browned with no pink remaining.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then bring the mixture to a boil to incorporate flavors and dissolve the seasoning.
- Simmer Mixture: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the drained black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and sour cream. Cook gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through and thickens slightly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread a layer of Fritos corn chips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese evenly over the chips. Then layer the seasoned ground beef mixture on top, followed by the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the dish is bubbly around the edges.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and top with more Fritos corn chips and your favorite toppings such as sliced green onions, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos to taste.
Notes
- For extra spice, add sliced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the taco seasoning and Fritos chips are certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Adding a layer of crushed Fritos on top before baking can add more crunch.
