Description
Mexican-inspired walking taco bake combines zesty ground beef, crisp corn chips, and melted cheese in one irresistible casserole. Quick comfort meets flavor-packed convenience for hungry crowds craving simple, satisfying southwestern-style goodness you’ll devour with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
Taco Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup taco sauce
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light spray of cooking oil.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Drain any excess fat from the beef and return the skillet to the stove.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef and stir in salsa, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat completely.
- Create a base layer of tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the tortilla chip layer.
- Combine both cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, then generously scatter the blended cheese over the beef.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to set.
- Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, cilantro, and pickled jalapeños if desired.
- Dollop sour cream and drizzle taco sauce over the top before serving.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is still warm and gooey.
Notes
- Chip Selection Matters: Choose sturdy, thick tortilla chips that won’t get soggy during baking, providing a robust base for the delicious toppings.
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness by selecting mild, medium, or hot salsa and taco seasoning to suit different taste preferences.
- Make It Lighter: Swap ground beef for lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to reduce calories and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare the beef mixture in advance and store separately from chips to maintain crispness, allowing quick assembly when ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg