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Walking Taco Bake A Fun Flavorful Twist On Taco Night

Walking Taco Bake A Fun Flavorful Twist On Taco Night is a family-style casserole that combines the beloved flavors of walking tacos into a single baking dish. It features crunchy corn chips, seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings, making it a crowd-pleaser for busy weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8-10 servings servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 485
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 2 packets taco seasoning (or 6 tablespoons homemade)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 large bag corn chips (Fritos or similar, 9-10 oz)
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
  • Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, additional sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks for 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  3. Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream in a mixing bowl until smooth. Spread this mixture across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  4. Spread half the corn chips over the creamy base, then layer the seasoned taco meat, black beans, and corn. Drizzle salsa over the top and sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese.
  5. Add the remaining corn chips and top with the final cup of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This dish can be prepared ahead of time by assembling all layers except the corn chips and refrigerating. Add chips right before baking for best texture. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.