Let me tell you about this Walking Taco Casserole – it's what happens when you take those fun little bags of crushed chips with taco fixings and turn it into a proper family meal.
You'll want to grab:
- 2 pounds of good ground beef
- 2 packets of your favorite taco seasoning
- 2 bags (9.75 oz each) of Doritos or Fritos, crushed up
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Whatever taco toppings your bunch likes best
Now, this is the sort of dish that reminds me of potlucks and family gatherings. Just layer everything nice and proper in a casserole dish – think of it like building a lasagna, but with crushed chips instead of pasta.
Pop it in the oven at 350°F, and before you know it, you've got yourself a meal that'll feed a crowd.
The whole thing takes about 30 minutes to put together, and I promise you won't have to chase anybody down to get them to the dinner table. There's something about that combination of seasoned meat, crunchy chips, and melted cheese that brings folks running. It's not fancy, but it sure is satisfying.
Recipe
Walking Taco Casserole is a creative spin on the popular street food concept, transforming the fun and portable walking taco into a hearty, family-style casserole. This dish combines all the beloved flavors of tacos – seasoned ground beef, crunchy corn chips, melted cheese, and fresh toppings – layered into a satisfying baked dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd.
The beauty of this casserole lies in its versatility and ease of preparation. While traditional walking tacos are served in individual bags of chips, this casserole version creates distinct layers that maintain their texture and flavor while being easier to serve at gatherings or family dinners. The result is a crowd-pleasing meal that captures the essence of casual Mexican-inspired cuisine in a convenient format.
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 (1 oz) packets taco seasoning
- 2 bags (9.25 oz each) Doritos or Fritos, slightly crushed
- 2 cans (15 oz each) refried beans
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning according to package directions. Layer half of the crushed chips in a 9×13 inch baking dish, followed by the seasoned beef, refried beans, and half of the cheese. Add remaining chips on top, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, sour cream, and cilantro before serving.
For best results, avoid crushing the chips too finely as they provide essential texture to the dish. The casserole can be prepared up to the baking step several hours in advance, but add the fresh toppings just before serving to maintain their crispness. If storing leftovers, keep the fresh toppings separate and add them when reheating individual portions to prevent sogginess.
A walking taco casserole transforms the popular food truck and county fair favorite into a family-style dish that's perfect for casual dinners and game day gatherings.
Traditional walking tacos, served in individual bags of crushed corn chips topped with seasoned meat and fixings, gained popularity in the Midwest during the 1970s as a portable variation of the classic taco.
This casserole version layers those same beloved ingredients – seasoned ground beef, crunchy corn chips, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese – into a satisfying one-dish meal that captures all the fun and flavor of the original handheld version, minus the individual bags.
Conclusion
This walking taco casserole is what happens when you take all the good stuff from those lunch bag tacos and put it in one pan – smart, right? Just brown up your ground beef real nice, season it like you mean it, and layer it with those crunched-up corn chips (the way we used to do with the little bags at potluck). Spread your cheese on thick – don't be stingy now. Pop it in a 9×13 pan and let it bake for about 45 minutes until everything's hot and bubbly. Been making this for church suppers and family gatherings for years, and the pan always comes home empty. You can't go wrong with this one – it's just good, honest food that fills bellies and makes folks happy. Tastes just like those walking tacos we all know, but you get to eat it with a fork at the table like civilized people.