Description
Craving comfort with a Mexican-inspired twist, walking taco bake delivers a crowd-pleasing casserole that combines crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese. Hearty layers of flavor create a quick, satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or game day gatherings you’ll devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Main Carbohydrate and Crunch:
- 3 cups tortilla chips, slightly crushed
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
Dairy and Toppings:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 small onion
Garnish and Optional Toppings:
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced jalapenos
- Fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the meat foundation by browning ground beef with onions in a skillet over medium heat until completely cooked, ensuring no pink remains. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Infuse the meat with robust taco seasoning and water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes, creating a rich, flavorful base.
- Preheat the oven to 180C (350F), creating an ideal environment for melding flavors.
- Transform a 9×13-inch baking dish into a crispy canvas by generously coating with cooking spray or butter.
- Create the first layer by evenly distributing crushed tortilla chips across the dish bottom, forming a crunchy foundation.
- Cascade the seasoned beef mixture over the chips, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Distribute salsa across the meat layer, spreading it gently to maximize flavor distribution.
- Add a smooth layer of sour cream, creating a creamy barrier between the salsa and cheese.
- Crown the casserole with a generous blanket of shredded cheese, promising a golden, melted finish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
- Remove from oven and allow the dish to rest briefly, letting flavors meld and settle.
- Garnish with optional toppings like crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, zesty jalapeños, or fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately with additional tortilla chips for scooping or enjoy directly from the dish.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning based on personal heat tolerance.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Crush tortilla chips just before layering to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy texture.
- Customize toppings with fresh ingredients like diced avocado, green onions, or a drizzle of lime crema for extra flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg