1. Can I make Walking Taco Casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the layers as directed, cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to cook, simply add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time. It’s perfect for meal prepping or hosting events when you need stress-free cooking.

2. How do I keep my Walking Taco Casserole from getting soggy?

To maintain that signature crunch, don’t add all the Fritos at once. Layer some chips at the bottom before baking, but save a handful for topping after it comes out of the oven. This ensures every serving has that fresh, crispy texture that makes Walking Taco Casserole so irresistible.

3. What toppings go best with Walking Taco Casserole?

Customize your casserole with toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, green onions, guacamole, and salsa. For a creamy touch, add extra sour cream or melted queso. These toppings not only enhance flavor but also add color and texture — making each plate look and taste incredible.

Walking Taco Casserole – Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipe

Name: Walking Taco Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix; 1/2 cup water; 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 bag (9.25 oz) Fritos corn chips; 2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese; 1/4 cup sliced green onions (for topping); 1/4 cup sour cream (for topping); 1/4 cup guacamole (for topping); 1/4 cup salsa (for topping); Pickled jalapeños (optional, for garnish)

Description

Walking Taco Casserole is a flavorful, family-friendly dish that combines all the classic taco ingredients into a baked casserole. Featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, sour cream, and crunchy Fritos, it’s a Tex-Mex comfort meal that’s easy to make and perfect for weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1/2 cup sour cream
1 bag (9.25 oz) Fritos corn chips
2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions (for topping)
1/4 cup sour cream (for topping)
1/4 cup guacamole (for topping)
1/4 cup salsa (for topping)
Pickled jalapeños (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until nearly cooked through. Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until softened and the beef is no longer pink.
Stir in the taco seasoning and water, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Add the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and sour cream. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Place a single layer of Fritos corn chips at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the chips, then spoon the beef mixture on top evenly.
Add the remaining cup of cheese over the beef mixture.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
Remove from the oven and top with the remaining Fritos, green onions, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and pickled jalapeños as desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your crunchy, cheesy Walking Taco Casserole.

Notes

Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a lighter option.
For extra crunch, reserve some Fritos to add after baking.
This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated; add 5–10 minutes to baking time if chilled.
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of casserole)
Calories: 673 kcal
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 1144 mg
Fat: 45 g
Saturated Fat: 21 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Fiber: 9 g
Protein: 40 g
Cholesterol: 151 mg