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Walking Taco Casserole

Walking taco casserole layers crispy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melty cheddar baked until golden-bubbly. It’s a simple, easy Mexican-style bake with a creamy tomato-chile sauce and fresh jalapeño-cilantro finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

ground beef
  • 1 lb ground beef
taco seasoning
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
water
  • 0.25 cup water
fritos
  • 4 cup Fritos corn chips
diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
refried beans
  • 1 can (8 oz) refried beans
cheddar cheese
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
jalapeños
  • 0.25 cup diced jalapeños
fresh cilantro
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and bake
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and position a rack in the middle so the casserole heats evenly.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces until no longer pink.
  3. Add taco seasoning and water to the browned beef and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring, until thickened.
  4. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer 2 cups of Fritos on the bottom in an even sheet.
  5. Spread the seasoned beef over the chips, then layer refried beans over the beef.
  6. Mix diced tomatoes with green chiles and sour cream, then spread the mixture over the beans.
  7. Top with the remaining Fritos and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese all over the surface.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375°F until the cheese is bubbly and the edges look lightly toasted.
  9. Rest for 5 minutes off the oven, then garnish with diced jalapeños and fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

For the crispest top layer, spread the chips gently so they form an even surface before baking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through (freeze for up to 2 months for a softer texture). For a lighter option, use reduced-fat shredded cheese and low-fat sour cream.