Hearty Walking Taco Casserole Recipe

Welcome to Myriad Cooking, where baking is always simple and fun! Today, we’re sharing a fantastic walking taco casserole recipe that’s incredibly easy to make. This dish brings all the beloved flavors of a walking taco into a comforting, baked casserole. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and a perfect weeknight dinner solution for busy families.

Why You’ll Love This Walking Taco Casserole

This delicious casserole is a guaranteed hit, especially when you need a quick and satisfying meal. Here’s why this recipe will become a new family favorite:

• Simple Preparation: You’ll love how straightforward this recipe is, perfect for beginner cooks.
• Rich Taco Flavors: Enjoy the savory blend of seasoned ground beef, zesty tomatoes, and melted cheese.
• Customizable Toppings: Everyone can personalize their plate with their favorite taco toppings.
• Crowd-P\leasing: It feeds a hungry family or makes an excellent dish for any casual gathering.

Hearty Walking Taco Casserole Recipe

This comforting Hearty Walking Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chiles, all layered over crunchy corn chips and topped with melted Mexican cheese, ready to be customized with your favorite taco toppings.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• large skillet
• 13×9-inch baking dish

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• small onion chopped
• 1 package taco seasoning (1 ounce)
• 1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles (10 ounces), undrained
• 1 can pinto beans (15-1/2 ounces), rinsed and drained
• 1 can whole kernel corn (15-1/4 ounces), drained
• 1 package corn chips (9-1/4 ounces)
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Toppings

• green onion sliced
• black olives sliced
• pico de gallo
• sour cream
• avocado chopped
• guacamole
• jalapenos sliced

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat, then cook the ground beef and chopped onion until browned and tender (6-7 minutes). Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chiles, simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened, then stir in the pinto beans and corn.
• Layer corn chips in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, top evenly with the taco meat mixture, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly, then serve immediately with your desired toppings.

Notes

For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture. Customize toppings based on personal preference!

Keyword easy casserole recipe, Easy Southern comfort food, family dinner, ground beef casserole, Mexican casserole, taco bake, taco casserole, walking taco casserole

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your own delightful walking taco casserole recipe:

• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
• 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 package (9-1/4 ounces) corn chips
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Toppings (optional): Sliced green onion, sliced black olives, pico de gallo, sour cream, chopped avocado, guacamole, sliced jalapenos

Notes & Substitutions

Canola oil helps brown your meat perfectly. For a leaner option, try ground turkey or chicken. Chop your onion finely for even cooking and a smoother texture. Use store-bought taco seasoning for convenience or make your own for a custom blend. Don’t drain the diced tomatoes and green chiles; their liquid adds great flavor to this walking taco casserole.

Rinsing canned beans before use is a simple way to reduce their sodium content significantly. According to registered dietitians, rinsing beans can reduce sodium by up to 40%.

Always rinse pinto beans before adding them to remove excess sodium. Feel free to use Doritos or tortilla chips instead of corn chips. Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or a sharp cheddar for a unique twist.

Equipment

You won’t need many specialized tools for this easy casserole.

• Large skillet
• 13×9-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

Creating this flavorful walking taco casserole recipe is a breeze. Just follow these easy, step-by-step instructions for a perfect meal.

1. Prep Oven and Meat: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat.
2. Brown Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the hot skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are tender.
3. Add Taco Flavors: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles.
4. Simmer Meat Mixture: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly. This step infuses all the great taco flavor.
5. Incorporate Beans and Corn: Stir in the rinsed and drained pinto beans and the drained whole kernel corn. Mix everything well to combine.
6. Layer Corn Chips: Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Arrange an even layer of corn chips in the bottom of the dish.
7. Spoon Meat Mixture: Carefully spoon the warm taco meat mixture evenly over the corn chips in the baking dish.
8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend generously over the meat mixture.
9. Bake Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is wonderfully bubbly and melted.
10. Serve Immediately: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with your favorite toppings. Enjoy your homemade walking taco casserole!

Pro Tips for the Best Walking Taco Casserole

Achieve the best flavor and texture with these simple tips for your walking taco casserole recipe:

• Brown Beef Well: Ensure your ground beef is thoroughly browned for maximum flavor depth.
• Drain Excess Fat: Always drain off any excess fat after browning the meat. This prevents a greasy casserole.
• Quality Seasoning: Choose a taco seasoning you love, or make your own for a custom taste.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Use the specified baking dish size to ensure even cooking and a crispy chip layer.
• Melted Cheese: Bake until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly for that perfect, gooey top.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Preheating: Always preheat your oven. This ensures even cooking from the start.
• Forgetting to Rinse Beans: Rinsing beans removes extra sodium and improves texture.
• Soggy Corn Chips: For the best crunch, don’t add corn chips until just before baking.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This versatile walking taco casserole is perfect for many occasions.

Serving Suggestions

Create a fun topping bar for your family and friends. Offer classic taco toppings like sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. Sliced green onions, black olives, or fresh cilantro add brightness. Serve with a side of Mexican rice or extra pinto beans for a complete meal. For adults, a refreshing margarita can perfectly complement the flavors.

Storage & Freezing

Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To freeze, prepare the meat mixture without chips or cheese, cool completely, and store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Thaw, then assemble with fresh chips and cheese before baking. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or a larger portion in the oven until warmed through.

Recipe Variations

Get creative with your walking taco casserole recipe! Switch up your chips with Doritos or crushed tortilla chips. Try ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat alternative for the protein. Substitute black beans or even refried beans for the pinto beans. Experiment with different cheeses, like spicy pepper jack or sharp cheddar, for a flavor kick. For a vegetarian version, use extra beans and corn with a hearty mushroom or vegetable base.

Nutrition Information

Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving for this delicious walking taco casserole:

FAQ

Conclusion

This hearty walking taco casserole recipe truly embodies quick, easy, and utterly delicious cooking. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy all those beloved taco flavors in a simple, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. Its versatility means you can easily adapt it to suit any taste, making it a guaranteed family favorite. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and share your creations with us! Enjoy every flavorful bite!