Go Back

Flavor-Packed Walking Taco Bake

A delicious and hearty casserole version of the classic walking taco, loaded with layers of flavor from seasoned beef, beans, cheese, and topped with crunchy corn chips.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Core Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef Choose grass-fed for better omega-3 content.
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (not drained)
  • 1 cup chunky salsa
  • 12 ounces frozen corn
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed Opt for low-fat cream cheese to keep it lighter.
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
  • 2 cups corn chips, crushed fine
  • 1 cup corn chips, loosely crushed (for topping)
Optional toppings
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Sliced green onions
  • Diced avocado
  • Extra sour cream
  • Jalapeños
  • Hot sauce
  • Chopped cilantro

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. In a mixing bowl, crush 2 cups of corn chips finely and set aside 1 cup of loosely crushed chips for topping.
Cooking
  1. Using a heavy-bottomed cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and nearly done. Drain any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water, simmering for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Incorporate the black beans, pinto beans, frozen corn, diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and chunky salsa, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  5. Lower the heat and fold in the cream cheese, stirring until melted and fully integrated. Remove from heat, then stir in sour cream and 2 cups of shredded cheese.
  6. Gently fold in the 2 cups of finely crushed chips into the mixture until combined.
  7. Pour the delicious mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese and the 1 cup of loosely crushed corn chips on top, then bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

This dish is perfect for game days, family gatherings, or cozy nights in. Enhance the nutritional value by replacing sour cream with Greek yogurt, and consider adding vegetables.