Description
Mexican-inspired Walking Taco Casserole delivers a flavor-packed punch of comfort and convenience. Layers of seasoned beef, crispy chips, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins and Beans:
- 1 15-ounce can ranch style beans, drained
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
Dairy and Toppings:
- 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced (optional for garnish)
Corn Chips and Tomatoes:
- 3 cups Frito corn chips
- 1 10-ounce (283 grams) can Rotel style tomatoes
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal baking environment.
- Coat a 2-quart casserole vessel with non-stick culinary spray to prevent potential sticking.
- Select a spacious skillet and transform ground beef into crumbly morsels over medium flame, cooking until the meat loses its rosy hue and reaches a uniform brown texture, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Eliminate excess rendering from the meat, ensuring a lean protein base.
- Infuse the beef with robust taco seasoning, creating a flavor-packed foundation.
- Introduce cream cheese, allowing it to melt luxuriously into the meat mixture while stirring continuously.
- Incorporate Rotel tomatoes and Ranch beans, blending ingredients until they harmonize into a cohesive, creamy composition.
- Transfer the sumptuous meat medley into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Artfully layer crunchy Fritos across the meat mixture, creating a textural foundation.
- Generously cascade shredded cheese over the Fritos, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 15 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden landscape.
- Extract the casserole from the oven, optionally adorning with sliced jalapeños for an extra flavor kick.
- Serve immediately while the dish maintains its optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy taco seasoning based on personal preference.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian option.
- Use gluten-free chips like corn tortilla chips instead of Fritos to make the casserole celiac-friendly.
- Prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for a quick weeknight meal that saves cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg