Walking Taco Casserole with Fritos has layers of crispy corn chips, seasoned beef, beans and cheese baked until it’s nice and melty then topped with your favorite taco toppings… it’s a classic easy taco casserole recipe that’s quick and easy to make for busy weekday dinners and it always gets devoured on taco night!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
Taco Seasoning – see recipe below, or use one packet
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilis (I’m using the Chipotle version)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
5 oz enchilada sauce (I’m using half of a 10 oz can)
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Your favorite taco toppings (I’m using lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro and sour cream)
Walking Taco Homemade Seasoning
2 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Begin preheating the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. While it’s cooking, mix up this quick walking taco homemade seasoning. Combine 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp onion powder, 1 tsp cumin and ½ tsp smoked paprika. Mix this all together. You can also use 1 packet of taco seasoning instead.
When the ground beef is done cooking, remove any extra grease. Then season the ground beef with the walking taco seasoning to your taste.
Add the can of Rotel tomatoes, undrained. I’m using the Chipotle version for some extra spiciness. Simmer until the liquid has evaporated. Next, add one can of black beans that have been drained and rinsed. Mix to combine. Add 2 oz of softened cream cheese, and stir it into the mixture until it’s melted and thoroughly combined. Remove the pan from heat and stir in 5 oz of enchilada sauce, about a half a can.
To assemble in the 9×13 baking dish, start with a layer of Fritos. Spoon half of the beef and bean mixture over the chips, spread a layer of shredded cheese, followed by more chips, the rest of the beef mixture and top with cheese.
Bake in the 350 degree oven for 15 – 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the taco casserole is heated through.
Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, chopped red onions, cilantro and sour cream. This taco casserole is an easy dinner that tastes great and is super flavorful!
Why Is This Called Walking Taco Casserole
A Walking Taco is AKA a Frito Pie, where a bag of corn chips is topped with taco ingredients and it’s easy to walk around with. This dish takes all of those delicious ingredients and layers them together into a taco casserole, and since it’s packed with Fritos, many people call this dish a