Walking Taco Casserole

Name: Walking Taco Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 medium onion (diced); 1 packet gluten-free taco seasoning; 3/4 cup water; 15 ounces corn nuggets (drained); 15 ounces black beans (rinsed); 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese (divided); 1 cup salsa; 1/2 cup sour cream; 9 1/4 ounce bag Fritos corn chips; 1/2 cup shredded lettuce; 1 roma tomato (diced); 1/3 cup black olives

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Introducing a delicious twist on the classic walking taco – the Walking Taco Casserole! This crowd-pleasing recipe combines all the flavors you love from the popular portable snack but transforms it into a convenient and comforting casserole. Imagine layers of seasoned ground beef, zesty cheese, crisp frito chips, and your favorite taco toppings all baked to perfection in one satisfying dish.

Whether you’re planning a game day gathering, a casual family dinner, or simply craving a hearty and easy-to-make meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Get ready to enjoy the fun and flavor of walking tacos in a convenient casserole format.

large spoon scooping taco casserole from dish

Table of Contents

What is a Walking Taco?

Walking tacos are a convenient snack or meal often found at fairs, sporting events and potlucks. The recipe takes simple ingredients like ground beef, corn and beans and layers on Fritos, Doritos or corn chips with taco toppings.

It is called a “walking” taco because many times it is portable either being served directly in a bag of chips with a fork or poured into a larger bowl. If served in a bag, the ingredients are shaken to ensure all the flavors are distributed evenly.

The best part of walking tacos is they are a fun way to enjoy all the flavors of a taco without the need for plates.

This walking taco casserole recipe takes a different approach by layering all the ingredients into a casserole dish and letting it bake to perfection. You can then scoop and enjoy around the table or pour into a bowl if serving at an event where people are moving around.

For more easy casserole dishes, check out our Big Mac Casserole, Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole, Chicken and Stuffing Casserole and Cheesy Green Bean Casserole. For more 30-minute meals be sure to check out our 40 kid-friendly 30 minute meals roundup post.

salsa, corn, black beans, Fritos, lettuce, sour cream, shredded cheese, ground beef, tomato, onion, olives and spices on a countertop

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion diced
1 packet gluten-free taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
15 ounces corn nuggets, drained
15 ounces black beans, rinsed
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
9 1/4 ounce bag Fritos corn chips
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
1 Roma tomato diced
1/3 cup black olives

Keep reading for delicious recipe variations with suggested ingredient swaps!

salsa, black beans, corn, sour cream, shredded cheese and ground meat in saute pan

Recipe Instructions

Start by preheating the oven to 375°F.

Then, in a large skillet, add the ground beef with the diced onion. Use thawed ground beef for best results. Using a spatula, carefully break up the meat into large chunks. Let the chunks of beef cook for approximately 1 minute.

Then, break the chunks into smaller pieces and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Repeat the process of alternating between breaking up the ground beef and cooking for 1 minute until the ground beef is no longer pink.

Once cooked add the taco seasoning and water. Cook for 1 minute. Add the corn, black beans, 1 cup shredded cheese, and sour cream. Stir well.

ground beef, corn and black bean taco mixture in casserole dish

Add half the bag of Fritos to the bottom of the pan. Layer the ground beef mixture on top of the chips then top with the rest of the Fritos and the shredded cheese. Cover with foil. The foil helps the casserole flavors to meld together without burning the cheese on top.

To prevent the foil from sticking to the cheese, spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray before placing on the baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove the foil then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, olives or family favorite taco toppings. Serve hot.

taco meat in casserole dish topped with Fritos

casserole topped with shredded cheese and Fritos

Taco Topping Ideas

If looking for options beyond lettuce, tomatoes and olives, consider sliced avocado, taco sauce, hot sauce, guacamole and sour cream.

Cilantro, jalapenos and pickled onions are also delicious ideas that add a burst of flavor. This taco bake is fully customizable, allowing for any taco topping to be added based on dietary preferences or needs.

A quick tip with toppings is to consider if you will have leftovers. For example, if meal prepping and storing leftovers then only place toppings on the portion that you plan to serve. Typically, the fresh ingredients don’t reheat well and we recommend adding new toppings to leftovers.

What to Serve with Walking Taco Casserole with Fritos

This easy taco dish is a flavorful dish that can be served as is. You can add variety and color to the meal by offering an array of taco toppings.

If on the search for side dishes, consider:

Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice for a heartier dish
Homemade guacamole and Pico de Gallo for lighter options
Our Canned Corn Salad for a refreshing side that balances the richness of the casserole
Homemade gluten-free tortillas to turn into traditional tacos
Velveeta cheese sauce for a creamy addition

taco casserole topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and olives

Recipe Tips and Variations

Swap the black beans with pinto beans, refried beans or even chili beans for a spicier version.
This taco casserole with Fritos can also be made with Doritos or tortilla chips to customize to dietary preferences.
Choose chili cheese or spicy jalapeno Fritos instead of the original flavor for variety.
Add an additional can of beans for a vegetarian version and omit the ground beef.
Make a batch of homemade taco seasoning instead of using a packet of seasoning.
If making in advance, wait to add the taco toppings until you are ready to serve.
Season and cook ground beef, turkey or chicken, making sure it is well-drained to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
Use yellow, sweet or red onion based on preference. If using as a topping, red onion adds a nice pop of color along with flavor.
If Mexican cheese is unavailable, substitute with 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup Monterey jack shredded cheeses.

top down view of large spoon in walking taco casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to precook the ground beef?

Yes, we highly recommend spending the time to precook the ground beef before adding to the casserole dish. Otherwise, the ground beef might have an unappealing texture and taste or the casserole will be undercooked.

How long does it take to make walking tacos?

This walking taco casserole takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.

Why is my casserole soggy?

Avoid a soggy casserole by draining the canned beans and corn properly. Any excess grease from the ground beef should also be drained prior to adding the other ingredients. Typically, we opt for lean meat such as 90/10 ground beef for casseroles to prevent sogginess.

Can I use leftover ground beef?

Absolutely! If you have leftover meat from the night before, mix with the seasoning, corn, black beans, 1 cup shredded cheese, and sour cream then proceed as directed. This is one of our favorite meal prep hacks – browning a large batch of ground beef then utilizing in different recipes during the week.

fork scooping a serving of taco casserole

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature before storing. If you still have a large batch left, consider diving it into smaller portions. This prevents the entire casserole from being reheated multiple times.
Once cool, transfer to airtight container(s) and store this taco casserole recipe in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze this casserole, wrap the leftovers in plastic wrap then place in a resealable container. Store leftovers for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place in a preheated 350°F oven until it’s heated through, and the internal temperature is 165°F. You can also microwave in 30-second increments until hot.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

A lot of ingredients are added to the sauté pan after the meat is browned such as corn, black beans, 1 cup shredded cheese, and sour cream. Pick a pan that is large enough to fit all these ingredients. If you are unsure, ask a kitchen helper to help you find the best pan.
A casserole dish or cast iron skillet are the best pans to use for baked casseroles. Both options hold the ingredients well because of the raised edges. Which one of these pans do you have at home?
Reheat leftovers at home for the next day or reheat to pack in a thermos for a hot school lunch. Store taco toppings such as lettuce or tomato in a separate bag or container. When time to eat, pour the toppings in the thermos and enjoy!

More Taco Dishes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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