Easy Walking Taco Casserole with Fritos
Walking Taco Casserole combines everything you love about Frito chili pie in an easy-to-make dish that’s a perfect weeknight dinner idea! It’s a comfort food recipe that brings bold, satisfying flavors in only 35 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This dinner takes about 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast but still delicious.
- Family-Friendly: This casserole will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. You can easily customize it with your favorite taco toppings, such as diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, or jalapeños for extra heat. You can also swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you want a lighter option!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground Beef- I recommend using 80-90% lean ground beef for the best balance of flavor and texture. You can also substitute it with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Yellow Onion- Adds savory depth to the dish. You can substitute it with red or white onion if you prefer.
- Chili Seasoning Mix – I use chili seasoning for a deeper flavor, but you can easily swap it for taco seasoning if that’s what you have.
- Beef Broth – This helps keep the beef mixture juicy and flavorful. You can also use water if you don’t have broth.
- Kidney Beans- These add protein and texture. Feel free to substitute them with black beans, pinto beans, or your favorite type of beans.
- Bag of Fritos- The key to this Frito Walking Taco Casserole! You can also use Doritos for a fun twist.
- Shredded Cheese- I like using Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese, but any good melting cheese, like Monterey Jack, will work.
- Optional Toppings- Shredded lettuce, jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, and guacamole are all great options for topping this hearty casserole.
Ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below!
How to Make Walking Taco Casserole with Frito
Cook the Meat
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Season the Ground Beef
Turn off the heat and stir in the chili mix seasoning, beef broth (or water), drained kidney beans, and 1 cup of shredded cheese until well combined.
Assemble & Bake
Spread the meat mixture evenly into a casserole dish and top with corn chips and the remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Top
Once out of the oven, top with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, and more.
