Delicious Walking Taco Casserole (Print version)

A cheesy walking taco casserole with seasoned beef, beans, corn chips, and fresh toppings for an easy family dinner.

# Ingredients:

For the beef filling

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 1/2 lb (680 g) ground beef
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 packet (1 oz or 28 g) taco seasoning
06 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) water
07 - 1 can (10 oz or 283 g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
08 - 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 cup (165 g) corn kernels, drained if canned
10 - 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, cubed

For layering and topping

11 - 5 cups (about 160 g) corn chips, divided
12 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
13 - 2 cups (90 g) shredded lettuce
14 - 1 cup (150 g) diced tomatoes
15 - 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
16 - 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos, optional
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly so the cheesy edges release cleanly.
02 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion, then cook for 7-9 minutes, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
03 - Stir in the garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the seasoning coats the beef and the liquid thickens slightly.
04 - Add the drained tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, corn, and cream cheese. Stir over medium heat until the cream cheese melts and the filling is thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.
05 - Scatter 3 cups of corn chips across the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the beef filling evenly over the chips and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese.
06 - Bake for 15 minutes until bubbling. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups corn chips and 1/2 cup cheddar over the top, then bake 5 more minutes until the cheese melts and the chips are warm.
07 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Top individual servings with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, jalapenos, and cilantro.

# Good to know:

01 - For the best crunch, add the final chip layer during the last 5 minutes of baking.
02 - Keep lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes separate until serving.
03 - Leftovers keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

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