Description
Mouthwatering walking taco casserole brings Mexican street food straight to dinner tables with bold, zesty flavors. Hearty layers of seasoned ground beef, crisp tortilla chips, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnishes and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 avocado, diced
- Sliced jalapenos
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a greased 9×13-inch baking dish for the casserole.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces.
- Drain any excess fat from the beef, then add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, and corn into the beef mixture, stirring thoroughly and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base layer.
- Distribute shredded cheddar cheese generously across the beef mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the cheese layer, creating a crunchy topping.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with optional toppings: dollops of sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and sliced jalapeños.
- Serve immediately while warm, offering a delightful walking taco experience in casserole form.
Notes
- Customize meat choice by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein options.
- Adjust spice levels by selecting mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning and salsa to match personal heat preferences.
- Create a gluten-free version by using corn tortilla chips and checking taco seasoning for gluten-free certification.
- Prep components ahead of time for quick weeknight assembly, storing cooked meat mixture separately in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 382 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg