Description
Walking taco casserole delivers a zesty Mexican-inspired comfort dish that combines crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese in one irresistible pan. Crowd-pleasing layers promise a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cheese:
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Additional Main Ingredients:
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 grams) taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups (60 grams) tortilla chips, crushed
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped green onions (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapenos
- Chopped cilantro
- Extra sour cream
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and thoroughly brown the ground beef, eliminating any surplus grease.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until they turn translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning into the skillet, then introduce diced tomatoes with green chilies and black beans, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Create a foundational layer of crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned beef and bean mixture over the chip base, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously scatter shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the top of the meat layer.
- Encase the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a golden, slightly crispy cheese surface.
- Let the casserole rest briefly after removing from the oven to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of chopped green onions, and optional toppings like fresh tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter protein option that reduces saturated fat and calories.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning to suit different taste preferences and tolerance for spiciness.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or corn to boost nutritional value and create a more colorful, nutrient-dense casserole that feels more wholesome.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time by assembling everything except the final baking step, then refrigerate and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg