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Close-up of Walking Taco Casserole layers showing crispy Fritos, seasoned beef, and bubbly melted orange cheddar cheese.
FL Recipes

Walking Taco Casserole: The Ultimate Crispy & Cheesy Family Dinner

This Walking Taco Casserole features layers of crunchy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, and bubbling sharp cheddar, topped with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. A perfect 30-minute weeknight dinner for busy families.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican-inspired
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 9.25 oz Fritos Corn Chips Original flavor for best crunch
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil For searing meat
  • 2 tbsp Taco Seasoning Standard packet or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Red Taco Sauce Adds moisture to the beef
  • 2 cups Sharp Orange Cheddar Cheese Freshly shredded
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Finely shredded
  • 3 medium Roma Tomatoes Diced small
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Full-fat thick white sour cream
  • 3 stalks Green Onions Thinly sliced

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch White Ceramic Baking Dish
  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet Used for browning the beef crumbles.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and ensure the rack is in the center position.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add ground beef and cook until browned crumbles form. Drain excess grease.
  3. Stir in taco seasoning and red taco sauce until the meat is evenly coated and fragrant.
Assembly & Baking
  1. Spread Fritos in the bottom of a 9x13 white ceramic dish. Top with the seasoned beef mixture.
  2. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the beef, reaching all the way to the edges.
  3. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly at the edges.
Finishing
  1. Top with cold lettuce, tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced green onions just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalProtein: 22gFat: 32gFiber: 3g

Notes

Let the casserole rest for 3 minutes before adding cold toppings to prevent wilting.
For extra heat, add sliced pickled jalapeños to the top.
Keyword Easy Ground Beef Dinner,Frito Pie,Walking Taco Casserole

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