Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
This Walking Taco Casserole is a fun and delicious twist on the classic walking tacos popular in the Midwest. Combining seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and melted cheddar cheese topped with crunchy Fritos corn chips, this one-pan casserole is easy to make and perfect for Taco Tuesday or casual gatherings. Versatile and gluten-free, it can be customized with your favorite taco toppings and spice levels, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in about 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb 90/10 ground beef
- 1 packet gluten-free taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup mild salsa
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
Casserole
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (such as Tillamook Triple Cheddar Farmstyle Thick Cut)
- 1 cup corn kernels (optional, not explicitly stated but typical)
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups Fritos corn chips or Frito scoops
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the gluten-free taco seasoning, salsa, sour cream, black beans, and diced yellow onion. Mix well and cook for another 3-5 minutes until heated through and the flavors are combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a casserole dish, spread the beef mixture evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then add an optional layer of corn kernels if desired for added texture and sweetness.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Fritos topping and fresh garnishes: Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately top with Fritos corn chips to maintain their crispness. Add shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro for freshness and crunch.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the walking taco casserole warm, offering additional toppings like diced avocado, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and lime wedges for guests to customize their meals.
Notes
- Use gluten-free taco seasoning and Fritos to keep the casserole gluten-free.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a leaner option.
- To make vegetarian, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or add extra black beans or mushrooms.
- Adjust spice level by using medium or hot salsa or adding roasted jalapeños.
- Additional topping ideas: diced avocado, pickled onions, green onions, pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced black olives, and lime wedges.
- Best served immediately after adding Fritos to keep the crunch.
Keywords: walking taco casserole, taco casserole, gluten-free taco recipe, easy dinner, layered taco casserole, Fritos casserole, taco Tuesday
Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/walking-taco-casserole-recipe/
