Easy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe (30-Minute Weeknight Dinner!)
This easy Walking Taco Casserole recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner with a cozy bake made with seasoned taco meat, crunchy chips, melty cheese, and all your favorite taco flavors.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Dish Recipes
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: walking taco casserole
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 596kcal
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
- 2 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 10 ounces rotel style tomatoes
- 15 ounces Ranch style beans, drained
- 3 cups Frito corn chips
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese
- 1 jalapeno pepper optional for garnish
- Optional toppings for serving: shredded lettuce tomatoes, sour cream, jalapenos, sliced green onions, black olives
Heat the oven to 375° and spray a 2-quart casserole dish.
In a large skillet, cook and crumble the 1 pound lean ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain fat if needed. Add 1 envelope taco seasoning mix and stir.
Add 2 ounces cream cheesee, 10 ounces rotel style tomatoes, and 15 ounces Ranch style beans, drained. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and combined.
Spread the ground beef mixture evenly in the baking dish and top with a layer of 3 cups Frito corn chips and 2 cups Mexican blend cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove and serve with your favorite toppings.
Chip Tip: Add the Fritos just before baking to keep them crunchy. For extra crunch, sprinkle a small handful on top after baking.
Make It Mild or Spicy: Use mild Rotel for a kid-friendly version, or swap in hot Rotel or diced jalapeños if your crew likes heat.
Protein Swaps: Ground turkey or ground pork work well in place of ground beef.
Toppings: Serve with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, or crushed chips for a classic walking taco feel.
Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and add fresh chips if needed.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 596kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1522mg | Potassium: 783mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1009IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 360mg | Iron: 5mg