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.
This Walking Taco Casserole Recipe reminds me of summer camp and church cookouts, where we filled our chip bags with seasoned ground meat and toppings— it was easy and delicious!
This casserole recipe captures all the flavors of Frito pie but makes it even easier to serve and share. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or making a quick weeknight dinner that brings back those nostalgic feelings. I love the combo of simple ingredients like crunchy chips, savory beef, and melted cheese, all in one easy-to-serve dish.
If you need more easy weeknight meal ideas, try my Crispy Baked Beef Tacos, Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole, or Layered Chicken Enchilada recipes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This dinner will take 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 by adding your favorite taco toppings, such as diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, or jalapeños for extra heat. Plus, you can 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 with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Yellow Onion- Adds a 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 to 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 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 a 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
Step 1 | 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.
Step 2 | 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.
Step 3 | 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.
Step 4 | Top
Once out of the oven, top with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, and more.
Tip
Prepare the beef chili ahead of time to make dinner a breeze! Make it and store it in the fridge, then assemble the casserole and bake when you're ready for a quick and easy meal.
Variations
- Spicy Kick: For a spicy twist, top the casserole with sliced jalapeños or drizzle your favorite hot sauce over the finished dish to bring the heat!
- Dorito Version: Swap out the Frito corn chips for Doritos and enjoy a crunchy, zesty twist on this Tex-Mex classic.
- More Vegetables: Mix in a can of corn, green chilies, or diced bell peppers to the ground beef for extra flavor and nutrition.
Sides
- Easy Jiffy Jalapeno Muffins - You only need five ingredients and 22 minutes to make these savory cornbread muffins.
- Guacamole & Chips: A classic, creamy guacamole with tortilla chips adds a cool, refreshing contrast to the cheesy casserole.
- Black Bean and Corn Salad: A light and tangy salad with black beans, corn, bell pepper, and lime dressing complement the rich flavors of the taco casserole.
- Mexican Rice: A fluffy, flavorful side of tomato and spice-infused rice brings a traditional touch to the meal.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette adds a fresh, crunchy element to balance the heaviness of the casserole.
Common Questions
Yes! Some regions call it Frito pie, while others refer to it as a Walking Taco recipe or Taco in a bag. They’re essentially the same delicious dish!
Absolutely! You can make the beef mixture in advance and refrigerate it. When you're ready to eat, just assemble the casserole, bake, and add your toppings.
If you don’t have Fritos, you can use tortilla chips or even Doritos for a different twist on this baked taco casserole!
Fritos won't store well in the fridge, so scrape them off your leftover walking taco bake. Then, store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, add the chili to a bowl and microwave until warm, then add Fritos and your favorite taco toppings on top.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Walking Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80-90% lean
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 1 can kidney beans drained
- ½ bag Fritos corn chips
- 3 cups shredded cheese Mexican blend or cheddar
- Optional Toppings: shredded lettuce, jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. If needed, drain any excess fat.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the chili seasoning, beef broth, drained kidney beans, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9x9 or 9x11 casserole dish and top with corn chips and 2 cups of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once out of the oven, top with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, or guacamole.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
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