Walking Taco Casserole

This easy Walking Taco Casserole layers seasoned ground beef, salsa, crushed corn chips and cheese for a quick, family-friendly taco bake that serves a crowd.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1.5 lb lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup salsa mild or medium
10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
4 cup crushed corn chips (such as Fritos)
2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream for serving, optional
0.25 cup sliced green onions for garnish
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped optional

Instructions

Preparation Steps

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, and drained diced tomatoes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until well combined and slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and fold in half of the crushed corn chips and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Spread the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining crushed corn chips and the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Serve topped with sour cream, sliced green onions, and cilantro if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. For a lighter version, use ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese.