👩🍳 Instructions: How to Make It
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish (or an 11x7 inch dish for a thicker casserole).
2. Cook the Meat
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft (about 6-8 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
3. Season and Simmer
Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the black beans and the can of Ro-Tel (with the liquid). Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Remove from heat.
4. Make it Creamy
Stir in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and 1 cup of the shredded cheese until everything is well combined and creamy.
5. Assemble the Casserole
- Layer 1 cup of the Fritos corn chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Spread the seasoned, creamy beef and bean mixture over the chip layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of Fritos chips over the meat mixture.
- Top everything with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
6. Bake and Finish
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on the edges, and the casserole is heated through.
7. Top and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes. Top with a generous amount of your favorite fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately!
💡 Expert Tips & Variations
- Crunch Factor: To maximize crunch, you can wait to add the chips until the last 5 minutes of baking, or even serve them on the side! However, using them in the layers gives it that classic casserole feel.
- Meat Alternatives: This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a vegetarian meat substitute.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the seasoned beef and bean mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, transfer the mixture to the casserole dish, add the chips and cheese, and bake as directed, possibly adding 5-10 extra minutes for it to heat through.
- Add Layers: For extra richness, add a layer of refried beans or cream cheese cubes to the bottom of the dish before the beef mixture.
- Spice it Up: For more heat, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper, or use hot-style Ro-Tel or salsa.
Enjoy your super-fun and flavorful Walking Taco Casserole!
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