• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Megan vs Kitchen logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » All Recipes

    Walking Taco Bake

    Published: Feb 28, 2023 · Modified: Jul 25, 2023 by Megan

    Go to Recipe Video

    This is a must-try if you're looking for a 35-minute one-pan meal. Walking Taco Bake has it all: hearty chili, melted cheese, crunchy corn chips, and all your favorite taco toppings.

    If you’re on the hunt for an easy dinner, you’ve gotta give this a try.

    This childhood classic combines crunchy Fritos, savory ground beef chili, gooey cheese, and all of your favorite taco toppings for a flavor explosion that will leave your taste buds wanting more. 😋👌

    So why not grab a bag of Fritos and give this delicious dinner a try? Your whole family will thank you!

    Jump to:
    • 🧀 Ingredients & Substitutions
    • 🔪 How to Make Walking Taco Bake
    • 👩‍🍳Tip
    • 🥗 Sides
    • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ
    • Walking Taco Bake
    • Want more one-pan recipes?
    • Food Safety

    🧀 Ingredients & Substitutions

    Walking Taco Bake ingredients

    Ground Beef: I used lean ground beef, 90/10, so that I wouldn’t have to drain fat from the cast iron skillet, which would be hard.

    Kidney Beans: I used red kidney beans, you can use whatever type you want: black beans, dark red beans, chili beans, etc.

    Fritos: You can use any corn chip like Fritos or Doritos.

    Taco Toppings: I used green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and sour cream on mine. Other options could be pickled onions, salsa, pico de gallo, corn salsa, and guacamole.

    Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below

    🔪 How to Make Walking Taco Bake

    cook beef and onion-2

    Brown Meat: Add meat and diced onions to a large cast iron skillet. Cook until the meat has browned, about 8 minutes.

    top with cheese and fritos_

    Mix in: Turn off the burner, and mix in beans, tomato sauce, Rotel, and taco seasoning. Top with cheese and Fritos.

    taco bake in oven

    Bake: Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chili is bubbling.

    finished taco bake

    Top: Take out of the oven and top with your favorite taco toppings.

    👩‍🍳Tip

    Don’t skimp on the toppings. They brighten the casserole up and make it a million times better. I like using green onions, cilantro, pickled jalapenos, diced tomatoes, and sour cream.

    🥗 Sides

    • Easy Jiffy Jalapeno Muffins
    • Simple garden salad
    • Black Bean and Corn Salad

    🙋‍♀️ FAQ

    Is Frito Pie and Walking Taco the same thing?

    They are exactly the same thing, some parts of the country call it Frito pie, some a walking taco, and others taco in a bag.

    What is a Walking Taco Bake?

    It’s a walking taco/ Frito pie in casserole form. It’s made all in one pan, so it’s easy to make, and clean-up is minimal.

    Pin
    Email
    Share
    111 Shares
    finished taco bake

    Walking Taco Bake

    This is a must-try if you're looking for a 35-minute one-pot pan meal. Walking Taco Bake has it all: hearty chili, melted cheese, crunchy corn chips, and all your favorite taco toppings.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 500kcal
    Author: Megan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 lb ground beef 90/10 use lean meat so you don’t have to drain fat
    • 1 sweet or yellow onion diced
    • 1 15-oz. can kidney beans drained
    • 1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
    • 1 10-oz can Rotel or diced tomatoes with green chilies drained
    • 1 packet taco seasoning
    • 1 8-oz bag shredded Cheddar cheese
    • ½ bag Fritos
    • Taco toppings: green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, sour cream

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F.
    • Add meat and diced onions to a large cast iron skillet*, or oven-proof skillet. Cook until the meat has browned, about 8 minutes.
    • Turn off the burner, and mix in beans, tomato sauce, Rotel, and taco seasoning. Top with cheese and Fritos.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chili is bubbling.
    • Take out of the oven and top with your favorite taco toppings.

    Video

    Notes

    * If you're not using a cast iron skillet, cook the beef and onions in a regular skillet, then transfer it to a 9x9 baking dish. Continue with step 3. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Fiber: 8.5g | Sugar: 8.5g
    Don't know what to make this week?Join the email list & get a free e-book: Easy Dinners for Lazy Nights

    Want more one-pan recipes?

    • Slumgullion
    • One Pot Pizza Pasta
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
    • See more guidelines at USDA.gov
    Pin
    Email
    Share
    111 Shares
    « Italian Beef Sandwiches
    Easy Broccoli and Chicken Lasagna »

    Reader Interactions

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Megan vs Kitchen, a place for simple Tex-Mex dinners. My goal is to make life easier by sharing easy and reliable dinners that everyone will love.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    Easy BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich Recipe (Slow Cooker)

    The Best BBQ Brisket Quesadilla

    Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos

    Easy Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce

    Sweet & Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Megan Vs Kitchen

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories

    Connect

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube