Walking Taco Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Walking Taco Casserole

First off, you may be wondering what is walking taco casserole? A “walking taco” is a dish that starts with a snack-size bag of chips, typically Fritos, as the base for taco toppings. These can include ground beef, cheese, beans, sour cream, and more. It’s fun, but a bit messy. This walking taco recipe is my version of walking tacos, but made in a casserole dish rather than in a plastic bag!

Walking taco casserole is my ideal kind of comfort food: it features plenty of cheese (cheddar is my favorite here but you can use any shredded cheese you like), hearty cooked beef, beans, lots of spices including chili powder and cumin, and of course, corn chips! It’s filling enough to satisfy everyone at the table, and you can add a salad or side of vegetables for a bit more. Here’s why you’ll love this walking taco casserole recipe:

• Lots of textural contrast. From the gooey melted cheese to the crunchy chips, there are a lot of great contrasting textures happening in this casserole.
• Naturally gluten free. You know I always love a dish that includes all naturally gluten free ingredients, and this falls neatly into that category. Best of all? My kids gobble it up and have no idea.
• It’s easy. In just 20 minutes you can assemble and cook this easy casserole, making it a nice busy weeknight choice for dinner.
• You can make it ahead! Another reason I’m a fan of casseroles is that they can be made in advance of when you want to eat them. See all the details for how to make this casserole ahead of time lower down in this post.

Recipe Ingredients

Check out the ingredient notes below to help you when you prepare to make this walking taco casserole recipe. The full ingredient amounts are included in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Butter: Salted or unsalted is fine. Alternatively, you can use oil for sauteing the onions if you prefer. 
• Onion: Feel free to use yellow or red onion, or substitute four cloves of garlic.
• Ground Beef: You can make the casserole leaner by using ground turkey or chicken.
• Spices: If you wish, replace all of the seasonings (these include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper) with 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
• Black Beans: If you don’t have black beans, try pinto beans or red beans.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a slightly smoky taste if you like.
• Cheddar Cheese: You can shred your own or buy pre-shredded. Feel free to substitute Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a combination. 
• Corn Chips: Many brands of corn chips are gluten free, including Fritos Original Corn Chips and a few other varieties from Frito Lay. You can also buy a bag of corn tortilla chips or make your own air fryer tortilla chips. Check the label on any bag of chips you buy to make sure it’s labeled gluten free.
• Iceberg Lettuce: For ease, you can find this pre-shredded in the produce or deli department. 
• Tomato: I use a Roma tomato but any type of tomato is fine.
• Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute, or try avocado crema.
• Toppings: See below!

Topping Ideas

This walking taco casserole was meant to be topped with all of your favorite taco toppings! Start with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and sour cream, then go on to add:

• Diced red onion: For a little crunch, diced red onion is an ideal topping option.
• Jalapeno slices: Add some heat and top the casserole with seeded and sliced jalapeno peppers.
• Guacamole: Make my Easy Guacamole recipe, guarunteed to be kid-friendly, and serve it with taco casserole!
• Avocado: You can never have too much avocado! Instead of or in addition to guacomole, add chopped or sliced ripe avocado to portions of walking taco casserole.
• Cilantro: If you like cilantro, it’s a must as a garnish for all kinds of Mexican-inspired dishes. Chop up the fresh cilantro leaves and scatter them over the casserole just before serving.
• Black olives: Use sliced black olives for a perfectly briny touch.
• Cojita cheese: This finely crumbled Mexican cheese is a great addition to the top of the melted cheese in the casserole. Just sprinkle it over the top. You could also try feta cheese crumbles for a similarly salty taste.
• A drizzle of dressing. For a spicy-savory flavor, spoon Jalapeno Ranch Dressing over walking taco casserole!

How To Make Walking Taco Casserole

I’ve outlined how to make walking taco casserole in the photos below. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

• Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350℉ and melt the butter in a cast iron skillet.
• Cook onion. Saute the onion until fragrant.
• Brown the beef. Stir in the beef and cook it until it is cooked through and browned.

• Season beef. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
• Add beans and tomatoes. Stir in the beans and tomatoes until well combined.

• Cook. Stir the black beans, tomatoes, and beef until warmed through.
• Layer on chips and cheese. Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese on top of the beef, layer the corn chips on top of the cheese, then finish with the remaining cheese.

• Bake. Cover the pan with foil and bake it for about 15 minutes.
• Add toppings. After the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, remove it from the oven and top it with shredded lettuce, tomato, and sour cream.
• Serve! You can serve walking taco casserole straight out of the pan, with bowls of extra chips and toppings.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Take a look at some of my variation ideas below if you need to adapt this recipe to make it your own:

• Make it vegetarian. To make a vegetarian version of walking taco casserole, leave out the ground beef. You can add more beans (try another can of black beans or a can of pinto beans for contrast), or keep to the recipe as-is.
• Swap the crushed tomatoes. Try substituting a jar of salsa instead of the crushed tomatoes for a little extra kick.
• Substitute another protein. As noted in the ingredients list, you could try ground chicken or turkey instead of the ground beef. If you want to go vegetarian, try a plant-based ground meat like Beyond brand.
• Go dairy-free. If you need to keep dairy-free, no problem. Either substitute the cheese with a dairy-free cheese of your choice, or omit it altogether. Then, cook the ground beef using olive oil or avocado to keep it without dairy. Skip the sour cream topping or use a dairy-free sour cream or yogurt (I find that guacamole will add that decadent touch I love and I don’t need to add any non-dairy sour cream).
• Up the spice level. Add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper to make this walking taco recipe on the spicier side. Or, drizzle hot sauce over the casserole after it comes out of the oven.

Can This Be Prepared In Advance?

Yes, walking taco casserole can be prepared in advance. If you plan to cook this prior to eating, follow the steps through adding the black beans and crushed tomatoes. Allow the mixture to cool down, wrap it securely, and store in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply remove the wrapping, add the cheese and corn chips and bake according to the recipe directions.

How To Store Leftovers

Here’s how to store any leftover walking taco casserole:

• Fridge – Transfer the cooled leftover caserole to an airtight container and store it in the frige for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – To freeze the casserole, bake assemble it in a freezer-safe pan and leave out the chips and cheese. Wrap the casserole in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 months. Defrost the casserole overnight in the fridge, then add the shredded cheese and chips and bake according to the recipe directions.
• To Reheat – Place a portion of walking taco casserole on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for 1 minute, or until warm. Add the toppings after you’ve warmed up the casserole.

Make It A Meal

I consider walking taco casserole to make a one-dish meal, especially if we’re in a rush. However, a side of vegetables is always welcome! You can round out the casserole with a bowl of steamed broccoli or a salad. A few more ideas include:

• A vegetable side. A rich main dish needs a lighter side of vegetables to offset all the cheese. My recipe for Chili Lime Roasted Cauliflower and Butternut Squash complements the flavors, or go green with Air Fryer Broccoli.
• Salad. I love a salad packed with raw vegetables alongside this casserole. Try my recipes for a Strawberry Mango Avocado Salad to brighten things up or
• Mexican-inspired sides. Make Mexican Street Corn or Spicy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes for a colorful accompaniment to this casserole, or serve it with a scoop of Mango Avocado Salsa.
• Soup. A mug or small bowl of soup is also a nice choice with a cheesy casserole. Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup will help warm up the coldest nights, or make a pot of Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Thyme.

More Easy Casserole Recipes To Try

• Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole
• Stuffed Pepper Casserole
• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Chicken Stuffing Casserole