Do you love the Tex-Mex flavor fusion? Then this recipe for walking taco casserole is for you. This is a fun dish to make and have during Sunday dinner, especially if you have a huge family or group of friends.
This is what it looks like when walking taco and Tex-Mex salad had a casserole. Super easy to make & loaded with your Mexican favorites. You can make it in advance and bake it later for a relaxed Sunday brunch or weekend dinner.
I love this taco bake with Fritos. It’s a dish you can eat sitting down or walking around. Yes, it can be a bit messy, but you have to enjoy good food by getting your hands into it.
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What is taco casserole?
A taco casserole is composed of taco ingredients in the form of a casserole. I love any casserole recipe with ground beef because you don’t chew much. Also, having ground beef in the dish ensures you have meat in every bite. In this walking taco casserole, you can volumize that ground beef by adding the black beans. I usually have leftovers with my recipe, so my family and I enjoy it one more evening in the week. You can get ready-made taco seasoning from your local grocery store, but this walking taco casserole uses homemade taco seasoning, which makes it fab-level.
What is a walking taco?
A walking taco is a deconstructed taco served in a bag of chips. The ingredients are usually the same as a traditional taco, but chips replace the tortilla.
This recipe for walking taco casserole combines the best of both worlds! The dish is made with Fritos, which add a delicious crunch, and topped with all of your favorite taco toppings. This casserole will surely be a hit at your next party or potluck!
Why you'll love this recipe
For this walking taco recipe, I love using crunchy Frito corn chips. It puts “walking” in this walking taco meat casserole. My kids love it! They even eat all the black beans and meat that I bake with a thick layer of cheddar.
Of course, I don’t stop at the cheese. I top it off with ranch salad dressing to bring freshness into each bite. When your family tries this recipe, they will ask for more and love you more! You might just include this in your weeknight dinner menu.
Imagine bubbly and cheesy, tangy, beefy taco goodness on a crunchy bed of Fritos. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. But wait, if you’re a veggie lover like me, you would want to top your walking taco casserole with shredded lettuce, scallions, tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion.
By the way, my ranch dressing recipe is tangier than the store-bought one because I add some lime juice to it. If you’re a busy mom like me, this is an easy and delicious dinner that’s fun, flavorful, and fresh!
Vegetarian walking taco casserole
I know this recipe is mainly cheesy beef, but if you want to turn it into a vegetarian dish, you can do so easily.
Just replace the meat with firm tofu. Make sure you drain the tofu first before sautéing it. For the beans, you can get the vegetarian type of refried beans.
If you want to be more adventurous with flavor, you can use seasoned jackfruit or even Shiitake mushrooms that can give you the mouthfeel of pork.
Want to make it healthier?
Savoring the taco-seasoned cheesy beef is satisfying, but what if you want a healthy version?
Here are a few substitutions you can make. I have tried these ingredient alternatives, and they kept flavors intact as you feel a little less guilty with every bite.
- You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef. It will transform the dish into a lighter one.
- Choose low-fat shredded cheese.
- Use low-sodium ingredients.
- Add shredded or diced vegetables as the turkey cooks.
You can top your Frito taco casserole with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce when you serve it. Also, substitute sour cream with plain regular or Greek yogurt.
What goes well with walking taco casserole
If you’re thinking of making this walking taco casserole for quite a big dinner, you can serve it with empanadas de camote, sweet potato turnovers, or homemade tamales.
You can rotate your toppings: refried beans, salsa, sliced black olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, lime wedges, Fritos, and sliced jalapenos.
Swap it up!
Anything goes with this walking taco casserole recipe. You cannot go wrong because you can just prepare it according to your taste and preference. Make it a bit sweeter, spicier, or even cheesier—Swap the Fritos with soft or fried tortillas. If you want lamb or pork instead of beef, it’s fine as well.
Can you freeze this?
Absolutely! This taco bake recipe with Fritos freezes well. This makes it ideal for making in advance for a party, a picnic, or a visit to a friend.
If you want to thaw it, place the casserole in your fridge overnight. It would be entirely thawed for dinner the following day.
Here are the steps to thaw the dish properly.
How to store and freeze it
- Just cook the beef mixture in your pan and assemble everything in your baking dish. Don’t put the cheese on top just yet.
- Cool everything entirely first, then cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. You can then freeze it for up to three months.
- Thaw it overnight in your refrigerator.
- When it’s thawed completely, remove the aluminum foil and the plastic wrap and place it on the kitchen counter for about twenty minutes. Place the shredded cheese on top of the beef.
- Bake the casserole at 350° F for 30 to 45 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbly. Tip: Cover with foil when baking to reheat the cheesy beef and to prevent cheese from getting burned
Taco casserole ingredients:
1 Ground beef:
You want to use leaner beef, so the casserole isn't swimming in grease. It is best to use 90% lean ground beef, so there is not too much grease in the final dish. The extra fat in ground beef can make the final dish too greasy. Too much oil can make the dish less flavorful and make it hard to taste the other ingredients.
2 Taco seasoning:
Adding taco seasoning to the casserole will give it a more authentic flavor. You can either use a store-bought taco seasoning packet or make your own, typically made with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. It can also include other spices like paprika, oregano, and pepper.
To make homemade taco seasoning mix:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
3 Fritos:
You could use corn chips like Doritos, but we prefer the flavor of Fritos in this dish to add a nice crunch and some extra flavor. You can also use a gluten-free variety or regular tortilla chips.
4 Taco Meat:
You could use any ground meat like turkey or chicken, but we think beef tastes best in this casserole. Season the meat with some taco seasoning to give it that classic flavor.
You can use any taco meat or pick up some pre-made taco meat from the grocery store. I used ground beef, but you could also use ground chicken or turkey. For the vegetarian option, you could use crumbled tofu or lentils.
5 Shredded cheese:
You can choose any cheese you like for this recipe, like a Mexican blend. I used a mix of cheddar and mozzarella, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
6 Lettuce:
No taco salad is complete without some chopped lettuce. You can use an iceberg or Romaine, but I like this recipe's crispy crunch of lettuce.
7 Tomatoes:
I like to use diced tomatoes in this recipe, but you can also use chopped or cherry tomatoes. I love cherry tomatoes because they are bite-sized and add sweetness to the dish.
8 Onions:
You can use any onion that you like in this recipe. I prefer to use red onions because they are sweeter than white onions.
9 Black beans:
You can find black beans in the Hispanic aisle of most grocery stores. You can use kidney beans or pinto beans if you can't find them.
10 Jalapeno:
If you like spicy food, you can add a diced jalapeno to this recipe because it gives the dish an extra kick that will leave your taste buds tingling. Plus, sliced jalapenos make for a great presentation on top of the casserole.
11 Ranch dressing:
This is for the salad dressing and also to top the tacos. Kids will love it, and it's a great way to get them to eat vegetables.
12 Sour cream:
Typical tacos use sour cream as a condiment, but we'll use it as our "sauce for this dish." By thinning out the sour cream with a bit of milk, we can easily create a delicious, creamy sauce that will help to bind all of the flavors together.
You can use any sour cream, but I prefer light sour cream. This is for the salad dressing and also to top the tacos. I find that the light sour cream has a better flavor and also doesn't add as many calories to the dish. You could also use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, but I find that it can make the dish a bit too tangy.
Get these ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- 1 onion (diced)
- ½ cup of salsa
- 4 oz cream cheese (½ of the 8 oz block)
- ½ cup of water
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (add extra if you want spicy)
Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings:
- 2 cups Fritos (or your favorite chips)
- 1½ cup black beans (rinsed)
- 1½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Tex-Mex Salad Toppings:
- 2 cups lettuce (romaine)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- ¼ cup red onion (diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon Jalapeno (pickled)
- 2 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 2 stalks scallions
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2
Then, get a large pan and place it on medium-high heat. Add in your beef. Use your wooden spatula to break it up and spread it. Let it cook down for three minutes.
Step 3
Add your spices or the taco seasoning, a combination of salt, cumin, garlic & onion powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika. If you can’t get all these ingredients, you can just get the store-bought taco seasoning: Cook the beef and the spices for two to three minutes.
Step 4
Dice an onion and add it in. This will help absorb the excess fat rendered off from the ground beef.
Step 5
When the onions soften, add in hot sauce, salsa, cream cheese, and water. Simmer until the mixture is creamy. You can turn the heat off and just set it aside.
Step 6
Get a casserole dish and coat it with oil. Add a layer of Fritos and a layer of cheesy beef. Put the rinsed black beans and some salt in there, too.
Step 7
Once you finish the layers, top the casserole with shredded cheddar and bake it for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
As the casserole cooks, assemble your salad.
- Mix pickled jalapenos, lettuce, cilantro, scallion, tomatoes, and onions in a large bowl.
- Add in lime juice and ranch dressing. Toss everything together. Season with pepper and salt, if you prefer.
- When the casserole is done, take it out of the oven and top it with your salad.
- You can add more Fritos to the casserole and serve while still hot. You can add more hot sauce if you want.
Tips and tricks when making taco casserole:
- Use fresh or frozen corn for best results. Canned corn can make the casserole too soggy.
- If using ground beef, brown it nicely before adding it to the casserole. It will enhance the flavor of the dish.
- For a spicier casserole, add a diced jalapeño pepper to the beef while cooking.
- Drain any excess fat from the beef before adding it to the casserole.
- Add a layer of chopped lettuce and diced tomatoes to the casserole before serving. Making it this way will give it a fresh taste and more visually appealing.
- Serve the casserole with a dollop of sour cream on top.
- Use a rolling pin or mallet to crush the chips before lightly adding them to the casserole. Keeping them in place will prevent them from floating to the top.
- You can store the leftover casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
How to store leftover Taco casserole:
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be good for 3-4 days. Make sure to separate the taco casserole and the toppings, so each component stays fresh. The leafy greens will wilt, and the dressing will make them soggy. It's best to keep those separate and add them just before serving. Or you can make another fresh batch of salad toppings for leftovers.
How to store walking taco casserole in the fridge:
To store walking taco casserole in the fridge, here are the steps to follow:
- Separate the taco meat and toppings from the Fritos. Since the Fritos are already soggy, they won't reheat well.
- Store the taco meat and toppings separately in a covered container in the fridge.
- Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
- Place in the fridge for up to four days.
How to reheat Taco casserole:
To reheat, place the taco casserole in a baking dish and cover with foil. Heat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Follow these steps:
1 Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F.
2 Spread a layer of chips on the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish. Or you can individually microwave portions or place the entire dish in a 350-degree F oven until warmed.
3 Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place in the oven and heat for 15-20 minutes, or until heated. The timeframe depends on how much leftover casserole you're reheating. So, keep an eye on it.
4 Carefully remove the dish from the oven. This will allow the heat to distribute evenly. Let it sit for a minute or two before serving. Serve with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
How to store walking taco casserole in the freezer:
First, store walking taco casserole in the freezer, and allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container. Separate the layers with freezer-safe paper or plastic wrap, if necessary. Cover the container tightly and label it with the name and date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to reheat frozen taco casserole
To reheat:
- Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, until it's hot and bubbly.
- Top with fresh greens and serve.
Can you make walking taco casserole in advance?
My favorite thing about taco casserole is that you can prepare it two days in advance. Do you know why? Because all of the flavors have a chance to meld together and get even better! Simply make the casserole and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to bake it.
If you love Walking Tacos, you'll go crazy for this Walking Taco Casserole! It's all of the flavors of a Walking Taco but in casserole form. Fritos add extra flavor to this delicious dish.
Here's how to do it:
- On the first day, brown the beef with the onion.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water, and simmer for 10-15 minutes. You don't want your casserole to be watery, so drain any excess liquid.
- Spread the beef mixture on the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Top with a layer of Fritos, followed by a layer of shredded cheese.
- Continue layering until all ingredients have been used.
- Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit on the second day.
- Bake the casserole for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add tomatoes, chopped lettuce, or your favorite toppings. Serve with sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!
Related recipes
Full Recipe
Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
Equipments:
- Oven
Ingredients:
For the Casserole:
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- 1 onion (diced)
- ½ cup salsa
- 4 oz cream cheese (½ of the 8 oz block)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (add extra if you want spicy)
Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings:
- 2 cups Fritos (or your favorite chips)
- 1½ cup black beans (rinsed)
- 1½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Tex-Mex Salad Toppings:
- 2 cups lettuce (romaine)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- ¼ cup red onion (diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon Jalapeno (pickled)
- 2 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 2 stalks scallions
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
Cook the Beef:
- Add oil in the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Break them up with a spatula and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add the seasonings (cumin, chili powder, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika and salt). Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the diced onions, cook until translucent and most of the excess fat is being absorbed.
- Add the cream cheese, salsa, hot sauce, and water. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the mixture becomes creamy. Turn off the heat. Set aside.
Prep the Taco Casserole:
- Spray some oil on a casserole dish and add a layer of Fritos or any of your favorite chips.
- Then layer with the cool cheesy beef mixture and spread the (rinsed) black beans. Sprinkle some salt on top of the beans.
- Top with cheddar cheese, add extra if you want more cheesy.
- Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted or bubbly.
Prep the salad toppings:
- Add the shredded lettuce romaine, tomato, diced onion, cilantro, scallions, and pickled Jalapeno into a large salad bowl.
- Add the lime juice and ranch dressing. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper if needed. Store in the fridge while waiting for the casserole.
- When the taco casserole is done baking, top it with the Tex-Mex salad and sprinkle some crushed Fritos. Serve and enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
desiree says
I cant wait to try this recipe.. look so yummy. The beef mixture can be used on my sloppy joes sandwich as well.