Description
All the fun and flavor of a classic walking taco turned into a cheesy, family-friendly casserole! This recipe combines seasoned ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and crunchy chips for an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love. With optional toppings like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream, it’s a customizable dish perfect for any taco night.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
- ½ cup water
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed (optional)
- 1 cup salsa or enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 bag (9–10 oz) Doritos or Fritos, slightly crushed
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Green onions
- Avocado
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from getting greasy.
- Season the beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add salsa and beans: Mix in 1 cup salsa or enchilada sauce and the drained black beans if using. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, then spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese uniformly over the meat layer.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add the chips: Just before serving, sprinkle the crushed Doritos or Fritos over the top to keep them crunchy.
- Garnish and serve: Top with your choice of optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, jalapeños, green onions, avocado, and cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Make it spicy by using hot salsa and pepper jack cheese.
- For less mess, let everyone add their own chips and toppings to their plates.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free tortilla chips and checking that the taco seasoning is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Tex-Mex
- Method: Stovetop + Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired / American
