A walking taco casserole is a delicious twist on the popular “walking taco” snack, which typically consists of taco ingredients served in a portable, individual-sized bag of chips. This casserole version brings together all the flavors of tacos in a convenient baked dish. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
For the casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
For garnish (optional):
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Avocado slices
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the Ground Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Onion and Taco Seasoning: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the cooked meat and cook for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Then, add the taco seasoning mix and follow the package instructions (usually adding water). Simmer for a few more minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Layer the Casserole: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, start by spreading a layer of refried beans at the bottom. Next, add the cooked meat and onion mixture on top of the beans.
- Salsa Layer: Pour the salsa evenly over the meat layer.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the salsa layer.
- Tortilla Chip Topping: Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the cheese layer. This will give the casserole a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, and let it cool slightly. You can garnish it with optional toppings like sour cream, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, or avocado slices.
- Enjoy: Serve your walking taco casserole while it’s still warm and enjoy the delicious flavors of tacos in a convenient casserole form.
This walking taco casserole is perfect for a family dinner or as a dish for a potluck or party. It’s customizable, so feel free to add your favorite taco toppings and adjust the spice level to your liking.
