Description
Walking Taco Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make layered dish that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and crunchy corn chips, topped with melted Mexican cheese and customizable toppings. It’s perfect for casual gatherings and weeknight dinners, capturing the essence of classic taco flavors in a convenient casserole format.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat 1 teaspoon of canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the beef and onions.
- Cook Beef and Onions: Add 1 pound of ground beef and the chopped small onion to the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring and breaking up the beef, until the meat is browned and the onions are tender.
- Add Seasoning and Tomatoes: Stir in 1 ounce taco seasoning mix and 10 ounces of diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained). Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Mix Beans and Corn: Incorporate 15-1/2 ounces of rinsed and drained pinto beans and 15-1/4 ounces of drained whole kernel corn into the skillet. Stir well to combine with the taco meat mixture.
- Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Spread the corn chips evenly across the bottom of the dish. Spoon the taco meat mixture over the chips evenly, then sprinkle 2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve with Toppings: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your choice of toppings such as sliced green onions, black olives, pico de gallo, sour cream, chopped avocado, guacamole, and sliced jalapenos.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add extra jalapenos or hot sauce to the taco meat mixture.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles and ensure the taco seasoning is vegetarian.
- To prevent the corn chips from becoming soggy too quickly, serve immediately after baking.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
