This Walking Taco Casserole is a fun, family-friendly dish that turns the bold, crunchy flavors of a classic walking taco into a simple, satisfying one-pan meal. I love how it combines seasoned ground beef, optional beans, zesty tomatoes, salsa, melted cheese, and crunchy corn chips into a comforting casserole that’s always a hit at the dinner table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I always find myself making this recipe when I need something quick, hearty, and guaranteed to please everyone. It has all the best taco night flavors in a baked form, and the crunchy chips on top are seriously addictive. It’s also easy to customize — I can switch up the protein, add beans or not, or go crazy with toppings like sour cream and jalapeños. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a game night, this casserole never disappoints.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 tablespoons canola or neutral oil
1 large white or yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef (80/20 or lean)
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
1 (15‑ounce) can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
1 (10‑ounce) can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
1 cup thick chunky salsa
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 ½–2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
I heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until soft, about 5–6 minutes. Then I add the garlic and cook for another minute.
I add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon — this takes around 6–8 minutes.
Next, I stir in the taco seasoning, beans (if I’m using them), RO*TEL, and salsa. I let it simmer for 8–10 minutes to really blend the flavors. Then I season with salt and pepper to taste.
I transfer the mixture to a 9×13‑inch casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
I sprinkle cheese over the top, then press corn chips gently on top of everything.
I bake the casserole for 10–15 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and everything is hot.
When it’s out of the oven, I add my favorite toppings like sour cream, jalapeños, scallions, or lettuce — then serve right away.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6 servings. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, for a total time of 40 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Variations
I sometimes swap the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
If I want extra texture, I add corn or diced bell peppers to the beef mixture.
For a spicy kick, I use hot salsa or add crushed red pepper.
When I feel like making it vegetarian, I skip the meat and double the beans.
I also love changing the cheese — Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack both work great.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I cover the dish with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until hot — about 15 minutes. For a quicker option, I reheat individual portions in the microwave. To keep the chips crisp, I sometimes add a few fresh ones on top after reheating.
FAQs
What are walking tacos?
Walking tacos are a fun, portable way to eat tacos — usually made by adding taco ingredients into a small bag of chips. This casserole turns that idea into a baked dish.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, I often make the meat mixture a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Then I just add chips and cheese and bake when I’m ready.
Do I have to use beans?
Not at all. I sometimes skip the beans if I want a meatier casserole or if someone in the family doesn’t like them.
What kind of chips work best?
I prefer using classic corn chips like Fritos because they stay crunchy and give that signature flavor, but tortilla chips work too.
Can I freeze this casserole?
I don’t recommend freezing it with the chips on top because they’ll get soggy. But I do freeze the meat mixture by itself, then thaw, top with chips and cheese, and bake fresh.
Conclusion
This Walking Taco Casserole is the perfect answer when I need something easy, flavorful, and fun. It brings the festive feel of taco night into one cozy dish that always gets cleaned out fast. With plenty of room to customize and simple ingredients I usually have on hand, it’s a dinner I know I can count on again and again.
A fun, family‑friendly casserole that brings all the flavors of walking tacos into an easy one‑dish meal with seasoned ground beef, beans (optional), crunchy corn chips and melted cheese.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola or neutral oil
1 large white or yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef (80/20 or lean)
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
1 (15‑ounce) can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
1 (10‑ounce) can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
1 cup thick chunky salsa
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 ½–2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
