Walking Taco Casserole – A Fun, Cheesy Tex-Mex Dinner Everyone Loves
This Walking Taco Casserole is a fun, family-friendly twist on classic walking tacos. With layers of seasoned beef, beans, salsa, cheese, and crunchy Fritos, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s quick to make and perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning homemade or store-bought
- 1 scallion finely diced
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 10-ounce can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
- 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese plus more if desired
- 1 9-ounce bag Fritos corn chips
- Optional toppings for serving:
- Sour cream
- Pickled jalapeños
- Diced scallions
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning, scallion, beans, RO*TEL, salsa, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the beef mixture evenly. Top with cheddar cheese, then a layer of Fritos.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and Fritos are golden.
- Serve hot with sour cream, jalapeños, scallions, and lettuce if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef.
- Add corn or black beans for extra flavor.
- To keep the chips extra crunchy, add them right before serving instead of baking.