Walking Taco Bake

A white baking dish filled with taco casserole topped with Fritos, ground beef, corn, beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, green onions, and dollops of sour cream. A wooden spoon rests in the dish.

This Walking Taco Bake is a low-effort dinner ready in 35 minutes. It features seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, melty cheese, and a crunchy corn chip topping. Baked in a 9×13 pan, it uses pantry staples and keeps cleanup light. Great for busy weeknights or casual hosting, and it reheats well.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: walking taco bake, walking taco casserole

Servings: servings

Calories: 547kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
¼ cup water
15-ounce can pinto beans or black beans drained and rinsed
1½ cups frozen corn
2 cups freshly-shredded cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese divided
2 cups Fritos or tortilla chips

Optional Toppings:

Chopped onions (green and/or white)
Diced tomatoes
Sliced black olives
Shredded lettuce
Sour cream
Salsa

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 400 °F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound ground beef until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any grease. Add 1 packet taco seasoning and ¼ cup water, then simmer for 1 minute.
Assemble: Transfer seasoned beef to prepared pan. Stir in 15-ounce can pinto beans or black beans and 1½ cups frozen corn. Sprinkle evenly with 1½ cups of cheese.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Add Chips and Cheese: Remove pan from oven. Sprinkle 2 cups Fritos or tortilla chips and remaining ½ cup cheese on top. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, until cheese melts.
Rest and Serve: Let casserole rest 2-3 minutes before serving. Add your favorite toppings like chopped onions, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and/or salsa.

Video

Notes

Making in Advance: Assemble everything in the baking dish except for the chips and final cheese layer. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add a few minutes to the initial bake time, then top with chips and cheese at the end.

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave individual portions.

Freezer Storage: Let dish cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot. Add fresh chips on top before serving to keep that crunch.

Nutrition