Walking Taco Casserole With Enchilada Sauce
Walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce is a super easy meal to make. We have outlined in our step-by-step instructions how you can make this recipe using a very simple method. Give this delicious recipe a try today using our easy step-by-step instructions below.
What Is A Walking Taco?
A walking taco is a delicious invention that you may not be familiar with. Let’s take a look at what a walking taco traditionally is, before diving into the delicious walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce.
Typically, you will find a walking taco inside a bag of Doritos or Fritos. This is when you take a personal-sized bag of chips and add in some cooked hamburger and taco seasoning, along with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
And this is typically what makes up a walking taco. It is a taco, inside of a bag of chips, they can be enjoyed and the go.
Baked Walking Taco Casserole Recipe With Enchilada Sauce
Baked walking taco casserole recipe with enchilada sauce is a delicious variation to the original walking taco. Instead of having a walking taco that feeds only individuals, a walking taco casserole is a very easy dish to prepare, they can feed a large group.
This dish is very simple, but makes a tasty meal that most everyone will enjoy that is great to make for any occasion, including a large gathering, or simply a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Easy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe {30 Minute Meal}
Not only is a walking taco casserole a delicious meal to enjoy eating, but it is also very easy to prepare, and it can be ready in a hurry. For those occasions where you want a quick and easy meal, a walking taco casserole is a perfect option.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works out great for many reasons. A few of our top reasons are as follows.
Easy! This recipe is super easy to make, which is part of why it is such a good one to make and enjoy.
Feeds A Group Of Any Size. No matter if you are feeding only a few people, or a large group, this recipe can easily be adapted to fit a group of any size. It is so easy to adjust this recipe to feed however many people as needed, that this recipe works out so great.
Crowd Favorite. Because this recipe is so basic, it is typically a crowd favorite. Most people enjoy these basic ingredients included when making a walking taco casserole.
Make Ahead. This dish does not take much time to prepare, and the few ingredients that you take time to prepare can easily be made ahead of time, making this the perfect dish for those occasions where you need to be able to create the food in advance.
Delicious Combination. Although the main ingredients included when making a walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce are quite basic, they make for a delicious combination. Plus, you have the freedom to add or subtract any ingredients that you may prefer.
Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe!
Honestly, it’s just plain simple to make a walking taco casserole, which is why you’re going to love this recipe. It’s quite simple and basic, but the ingredient combination tastes amazing.
Taco Casserole Ingredients
Cooked ground hamburger
Red pepper flakes
Taco seasoning
Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Sweet peppers
Corn
Red enchilada sauce
Fritos
Shredded cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Avocado
Sour cream
Ingredient Notes
Just keep in mind that the above ingredient list is our suggested ingredients, and not all are required. The basic ingredients of a walking taco are Fritos, or Doritos, cooked hamburger, lettuce, and sour cream. Any other ingredients are optional, the above list simply includes our favorite way to make it.
Additions / Substitutions:
There are many additions and substitutions you can make to the above ingredient list. Our ingredient list above is simply our suggested ingredients to include.
However, they are not required. A few more additional ingredients you may like to include, but are not required, are as follows:
Cooked white or Mexican rice. Bring your favorite cooked white, or Mexican rice is a delicious flair to the walking taco casserole. This is not required but does help to make your casserole go even farther. Plus, the rice adds a delicious flavoring to your casserole as well.
Guacamole. No matter if you are guacamole is served alongside your casserole, or on top of the casserole, it can make for a delicious addition to your walking taco casserole.
Black Beans. Black beans are another delicious addition to a walking taco casserole. They are by no means required but add extra deliciousness if desired.
Extra Toppings
Apart from sour cream, and shredded cheese, you may enjoy adding other toppings to your walking taco casserole as well. Some other delicious toppings include fresh cilantro, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and so much more.
Get creative and add your favorite toppings to make your walking taco casserole your own.
How to Make a Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
Now that your mouth is watering with the idea of this delicious walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce, let’s look at how you can actually make this easy casserole.
Before You Start
Before you start, it is important to fully cook your ground hamburger, and wash and dry any fresh fruit or vegetables. Then slice them and get them ready to go.
How To Make Taco Casserole With Fritos
Begin making your walking taco casserole by browning your ground hamburger with red pepper flakes and taco seasoning. You can do this by cooking it for several hours in a crockpot with a little bit of water, or you can do it in a skillet on your stovetop.
After your hamburger has been fully cooked, take an oven-safe skillet with a lid and place it over medium-low heat on your stovetop. Sauté your onions, and garlic together. After they have sautéed for a little bit and your onions start to turn transparent in color, add your hamburger, cooked rice, and peppers. Cook for 3-5 minutes over medium low heat, just until your mixture warms.
Remove from the heat and add corn, enchilada sauce, half of your shredded cheese, and Fritos. Bake in your oven at 400°F for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Remove from the oven, and add your toppings of lettuce, tomato, avocado, remaining half of the shredded cheese, and sour cream. Serve right away and enjoy.
Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
Highlights
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 pound cooked ground hamburger
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 packet taco seasoning, or to taste
Drizzle olive oil, as needed
1 medium onion, diced
2 Tbsp garlic, minced
5 small sweet peppers, diced and sliced to garnish
1-15 oz can corn, drained
1 ½ cup red enchilada sauce
3 cups Fritos
2 cups shredded cheese, divided
1 ½ cup lettuce, as desired
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 ripe avocado
Sour cream, to taste
Instructions
Step 1
In an oven-safe skillet with a lid, begin by browning your hamburger with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-low heat on your stovetop until it is fully cooked.
Step 2
Add in your diced onion, red pepper flakes, taco seasoning, and minced garlic. Also, add half of your diced sweet peppers. Allow to cook until your onions become translucent in color. This typically takes 2 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add enchilada sauce and stir to combine.
Step 3
Add corn, half of the shredded cheese, and Fritos in layers on top of your hamburger mixture. Preheat the oven to 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes in the oven until your cheese has melted.
Step 4
Remove from the oven, and add your toppings of lettuce, tomato, avocado, remaining half of the shredded cheese, sliced sweet peppers, and sour cream as desired. Serve right away and enjoy.
Notes
If desired, black beans and rice may be added to the meat mixture before baking. This is an optional step and not required.
Feel free to add any additional toppings or garnishes to the dish before serving. Serve while the dish is warm.
Nutrition Facts
We have estimated that the above recipe contains approximately 10 servings. One serving is estimated to contain 749 calories. One serving is also estimated to contain 45.6g total fat, 64mg cholesterol, 891mg sodium, 60.3g total carbohydrates, and 26.4g protein.
Please keep in mind that these nutritional facts will vary depending upon what specific ingredients you include, and how many ways the recipe is divided.
Expert Tips
The dish is pretty basic in its preparation, therefore there are not many expert tips when it comes to preparing the dish. However, we will cover details on how to make this dish ahead of time, storing this dish, answering your questions and if it can be frozen, and how to reheat walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce.
Make Ahead, Storage, Freezing, And Reheating
Make ahead:
This dish can be made ahead of time if desired. We recommend not adding the Fritos to the dish if you are making it well in advance as they could become soggy.
If making this dish in advance, we recommend cooking the meat and vegetables, then place into the refrigerator to store. Before you are ready to serve, pull the dish out of the fridge, and reheat your dish, adding Fritos to the top before you reheat it. Then add your toppings as desired, then serve and enjoy.
How to Store and Make Taco Casserole Ahead of Time
Storage Tips:
When storing your walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce, we recommend placing it into an airtight container and storing it in the fridge for up to three days.
Storing Leftovers:
Any leftovers for your walking taco casserole can be transferred to an airtight storage container and placed in the refrigerator for up to three days. Please note that this casserole is best when fresh but can last for three days in the refrigerator.
Freezing:
We do not recommend freezing leftover walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce as it typically does not reheat well after it has been frozen. For best results, store your leftovers in the fridge and enjoy them within three days.
Reheat instructions:
For taco casserole that is going to be reheated, we recommend removing any toppings such as tomatoes, avocados, etc. You can then place the casserole into the oven, and warm the casserole at 350°F until warm. Then add your toppings such as lettuce tomatoes and avocados back on before serving your reheated casserole.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade taco seasoning is made by combining chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Typically, these amounts range from ¼ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon, they can be made to taste as well. Or, you can always buy taco seasoning directly from the store.
Variations:
There are many different variations as to how you can adapt walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce into your very own recipe.
To do this, you can simply add additional ingredients for your toppings, over to the meat filling. You can also subtract ingredients from our suggested ingredient list above. Don’t be afraid to add your favorite ingredients to make this dish fit your favorite tastes and flavors.
Instant Pot Walking Taco Casserole
You can also prepare the walking taco casserole in your instant pot if desired. The process will be similar as instructed above, only done in your instant pot.
Begin by turning your instant pot on the sauté function to brown your beef. Then turn your power off and add your other ingredients such as rice, onion, garlic, etc.
Add your enchilada sauce, and peppers then cover the instant pot and secure your lid to pressure cook for about five minutes. When the time is up allow your instant pot to sit for 5 to 10 minutes then move your valve to vent.
Carefully remove the lid. Add on your desired toppings and Frito chips then serve and enjoy.
FAQs
How do you store leftover walking taco casserole?
Do you store leftover walking taco casserole, the best option is to transfer the casserole to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator to store.
What does walking taco mean?
A walking taco is typically prepared in an individual-sized chip bag and made with Fritos or Doritos, then add cooked hamburger, lettuce, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Walking tacos can easily be enjoyed on the go or for a snack.
Can you make this dish gluten free?
You can make this dish gluten-free by substituting the Fritos, for chips that do not contain gluten. There may be some corn chips available that do not contain gluten, however, you want to be sure to check your individual chip bag to be sure.
What do you serve with a walking taco casserole?
There are many sides you can serve with walking taco casserole. One great side would be to serve with refried beans and rice, or guacamole and salsa. Another great dish to serve with walking taco casserole is churros.
What Meat Should I Use?
You can use any level of ground chuck, ground hamburger, or ground beef for this recipe. The percentage of fat content does not make a large difference. Simply use what you like best, then cook until the meat is browned.
Can I Make This Vegetarian or Vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the meat in this recipe for black beans, or refried beans, use a vegan or vegetarian-friendly cheese substitute or simply leave it out completely. You can also leave out the sour cream, or use an appropriate substitute.
What Toppings Go on Taco Casserole?
There are so many different toppings you can choose from to go on top of this walking taco casserole. Think of your favorite Mexican dishes and what they include, then simply use those ingredients as your toppings.
Some favorite toppings include lettuce, tomato, peppers, jalapeños, pico de gallo, salsa, avocados, guacamole, etc.
Can I Make This Walking Taco Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this walking taco casserole recipe ahead of time. However, we recommend making the meat and everything ahead of time, then add your Fritos and toppings after your meat has been rewarmed. This will give you the best result, and make sure that your Fritos do not become mushy.
Can I substitute homemade taco seasoning?
Yes, you can easily substitute homemade taco seasoning if desired.
Do I need to add the cream cheese?
No, adding the cream cheese is optional and is not required.
Are walking tacos gluten free?
To make walking taco casserole gluten-free, you simply need to check your chips and be sure that they are gluten-free. If not, use a gluten-free alternative kind of chip to make your walking tacos gluten-free.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, this can be made ahead of time. For best results, we recommend preparing the recipe as far as the first baking, only leave out your Fritos. Then when you are ready to serve, rewarm the meat mixture, add your Fritos, and desired toppings.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! By all means, you can double this recipe.
Easy Walking Taco Casserole
Walking taco casserole is an easy dish to make and tastes delicious. The dish is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s perfect for any occasion. You just can’t go wrong with walking taco casserole!
Walking Taco Casserole
Making walking taco casserole with enchilada sauce is a very easy dish to make for any occasion. You can easily customize this recipe to fit your needs, by adding your desired toppings. Give this delicious recipe a try, with our easy step-by-step instructions, and see for yourself how delicious this is!
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Walking Taco Casserole With Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked ground hamburger
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 packet taco seasoning or to taste
- Drizzle olive oil as needed
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 Tbsp garlic minced
- 5 small sweet peppers diced and sliced to garnish
- 1-15 oz can corn drained
- 1 ½ cup red enchilada sauce
- 3 cups Fritos
- 2 cups shredded cheese divided
- 1 ½ cup lettuce as desired
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- 1 ripe avocado
- Sour cream to taste
Instructions
- In an oven-safe skillet with a lid, begin by browning your hamburger with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-low heat on your stovetop until it is fully cooked.
- Add in your diced onion, red pepper flakes, taco seasoning, and minced garlic. Also, add half of your diced sweet peppers. Allow to cook until your onions become translucent in color. This typically takes 2 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add enchilada sauce and stir to combine.
- Add corn, half of the shredded cheese, and Fritos in layers on top of your hamburger mixture. Preheat the oven to 400°F. for 10 to 15 minutes in the oven until your cheese has melted.
- Remove from the oven, and add your toppings of lettuce, tomato, avocado, remaining half of the shredded cheese, sliced sweet peppers, and sour cream as desired. Serve right away and enjoy.
