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Walking Taco Casserole

Learn how to make walking taco casserole with seasoned beef, melted cheddar, and crisp corn chips that stay crunchy instead of turning soggy.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb ground beef 80/20 lean ground chuck
  • 1 packet taco seasoning 1 oz / 28 g packet
  • 0.5 cup water warm water
  • 1 can black beans 15 oz can, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can sweet corn 15 oz can, drained
  • 1 cup chunky salsa medium or mild heat
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
  • 9 oz Nacho Cheese Doritos coarsely crushed, divided
  • 0.5 cup sour cream for serving, optional
  • 3 tbsp green onions sliced for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
  • 12-inch Skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Box grater
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.
  3. Cook the beef for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and no pink remains.
  4. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of rendered fat from the skillet.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium, then stir in the taco seasoning and water.
  6. Add the drained black beans, drained sweet corn, and chunky salsa to the skillet.
  7. Simmer the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens.
  8. Remove skillet from heat, add the cubed cream cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
  9. Spread 1 cup of coarsely crushed Doritos evenly across the bottom of the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish.
  10. Spoon the hot beef and bean mixture evenly over the chip layer.
  11. Top the beef layer with 1 cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  12. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 15 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges.
  13. Remove the dish from the oven, scatter the remaining crushed Doritos over the top, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar.
  14. Return to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the top cheese layer is melted and chips are lightly toasted.
  15. Rest the casserole for 5 minutes before serving topped with green onions and optional sour cream.

Notes

If using an 8x11-inch dish instead of 9x13-inch, increase initial baking time by 5 minutes to ensure heat penetrates the center.
To double the recipe, use two 9x13-inch pans rather than stacking layers deeper in a single pan to preserve texture.
Unsalted corn chips work as a substitute if using high-sodium taco seasoning packets.