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Easy Walking Taco Casserole with Fritos, seasoned beef, and melted cheese

Walking Taco Casserole

A fun and easy casserole that captures the cozy, crunchy vibe of walking tacos, baked in one pan for a delicious family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Classic and easy. Ground turkey can be used instead, add a splash of oil if dry.
  • 1 packet taco seasoning Use half the packet for less salt and add extra cumin.
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 cup salsa Choose your favorite. Chunky gives more texture; smoother is saucier.
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans Drained and rinsed; can use pinto beans or omit for extra corn.
  • 1 cup corn Canned or frozen works. Frozen adds a nice pop.
  • 1 bag Fritos Fresh chips recommended for crunch.
  • 2-3 cups shredded cheese Cheddar, Mexican blend, or pepper jack for extra kick.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain extra grease if needed.
  3. Add the taco seasoning and water. Stir and simmer for about 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in the salsa, black beans, and corn. Let it warm through.
  5. In the baking dish, layer half the Fritos and spoon the meat mixture over the top.
  6. Sprinkle 2 to 3 cups of shredded cheese on top, add remaining Fritos if desired, and a bit more cheese.
Baking
  1. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and everything is hot.
  2. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then add your desired toppings.

Notes

Best served immediately while the chips remain crunchy. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results. Consider adding fresh chips after reheating to restore crunch.