Walking Taco Casserole

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step Walking Taco Casserole recipe with clear directions and no emojis.

Servings

6–8 servings

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30–35 minutes

Ingredients

Meat & Base

1½ pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
½ cup water

Beans & Corn

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

Chips & Cheese

4 cups crushed tortilla chips or corn chips (such as Fritos or Doritos)
2½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or Colby Jack)

Optional Toppings (for serving)

Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sour cream
Salsa
Sliced black olives
Diced avocado or guacamole
Jalapeño slices

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. When the beef is about halfway cooked, add the diced onion and continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and the onion is soft.

Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Season the Meat

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in ½ cup water. Stir well and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 4: Add Beans and Corn

Stir in the black beans, corn, and Rotel tomatoes (including the liquid). Reduce heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing flavors to combine.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

Spread half of the crushed chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the chips.

Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese over the meat layer.

Add the remaining crushed chips on top, followed by the remaining cheese.

Step 6: Bake

Place the casserole in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling around the edges.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes it easier to scoop.

Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

Tips and Variations

For extra crunch, add the top layer of chips during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
Add a can of refried beans for a thicker, heartier casserole.
Make it spicy by using hot Rotel or adding cayenne pepper.