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Easy Cheesy Baked Walking Taco Casserole

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A quick and easy family-friendly casserole combining seasoned beef, crunchy tortilla chips, and melted cheese baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes (240 ml)
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 6 cups nacho cheese Doritos or tortilla chips (about 180 g)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200 g)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with oil or butter.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef mixture. Stir in canned diced tomatoes and black beans if using. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick but juicy.
  5. Remove skillet from heat. Add softened cream cheese and fold gently until melted and fully incorporated.
  6. Spread 3 cups (90 g) crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Pour beef mixture over chips and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 3 cups (90 g) tortilla chips on top.
  7. Generously cover the top with shredded cheddar cheese, making sure to cover edges.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Check after 15 minutes to avoid over-browning.
  9. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and optional toppings before serving.

Notes

If casserole looks dry before baking, add a splash of water or broth to the beef mixture. Crush chips enough to layer but not pulverize for best texture contrast. Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps. Baking just until cheese bubbles prevents overcooking and soggy chips. For a leaner protein, substitute ground turkey or chicken. Vegetarian version can use lentils or tofu with taco seasoning. Gluten-free chips and seasoning make this casserole gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: walking taco casserole, cheesy casserole, family dinner, quick dinner, taco casserole, baked taco, easy dinner, ground beef casserole

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/easy-cheesy-baked-walking-taco-casserole-recipe-for-perfect-family-dinners/