Description
Hearty walking taco casserole delivers Mexican-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with layered crunch and zesty flavors. Crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create one irresistible meal you’ll want to devour again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680g) ground beef
- 15 ounces (425g) pinto beans, drained
- 9.25 ounces (156g) Fritos or cheesy Doritos (1/2 bag)
Vegetable and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, minced
- 10 ounces (425g) Rotel tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (125ml) salsa (mild or hot)
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
Cheese Topping:
- 2 cups (250g) Mexican blend cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing it for a hearty casserole creation.
- In a spacious skillet, transform the ground beef from raw to beautifully caramelized over medium flame.
- Introduce aromatic garlic and vibrant red onion to the meat, allowing them to soften and release their rich flavors.
- Incorporate protein-packed pinto beans, zesty salsa, fire-roasted Rotel tomatoes, and robust taco seasoning, letting the mixture simmer and meld together.
- Create a crunchy foundation in the baking vessel by layering half of the crisp corn chips, forming a golden base.
- Generously cascade the seasoned meat mixture over the initial chip layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Crown the casserole with the remaining chips, creating a textural landscape.
- Liberally shower shredded cheese across the top, promising a molten, golden finish.
- Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for approximately 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes gloriously melted and slightly bubbling.
- Present the casserole while piping hot, offering optional embellishments like tangy sour cream, creamy guacamole, or fresh cilantro for personalized garnishing.
Notes
- Customize chip selection by using gluten-free tortilla chips for those with dietary restrictions.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or shredded chicken for protein variety.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and choosing reduced-fat cheese options.
- Make ahead by preparing beef mixture in advance and assembling casserole just before baking to save time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg