Walking Taco Casserole is the perfect one-pot Mexican dinner that is flavourful and hearty. Packed with taco seasoning, green chiles, and enchilada sauce and topped off with Fritos and melted cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit! You won’t believe how easy it is to make!
It also packs in plenty of flavors and nutrition Plus, it’s adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy this delicious meal for lunch or dinner any day of the week!
In this article, we will cover the ingredients needed to make this tasty casserole, step-by-step instructions on how to make it, and some helpful tips. So grab your ingredients and let’s get started!
What is Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce?
Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce is a delicious Mexican-inspired dish that is filled with ground beef, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, mild green chiles, white rice, sour cream, Fritos, and Colby jack cheese.
Simmered together, it creates a flavorful and comforting dish that’s sure to be a hit. The Fritos add an irresistible crunchy texture, while the melted cheese pulls everything together.
It’s easy to make and can be served with tortillas or chips for a satisfying meal your family will love!
What does it taste like?
This Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce has all the flavors of your favorite Mexican dishes in one. The combination of taco seasoning, green chiles, and enchilada sauce creates a rich and flavorful sauce to coat the ground beef.
The Fritos add a delicious crunchy texture to the dish, while the melted cheese brings all the flavors together.
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How did I first get introduced to the Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce?
I was first introduced to this dish during a visit to my aunt’s house. She served it as part of her dinner rotation, and I immediately fell in love with it.
It reminded me of all the traditional Mexican flavors I enjoyed growing up but with a unique twist thanks to the addition of Fritos and cheese. From that day on, I’ve been making it at home and sharing it with friends and family.
How to Make Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce?
Making this dish is really quite simple. Here are the ingredients & step-by-step guidelines for this recipe:
Ingredients
- Olive oil: This will help to sauté the onion and ground beef.
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for this recipe, at least an 80/20 or 90/10 lean-to-fat ratio.
- Onion: I prefer yellow onions for cooking, but any type of onion can be used.
- Salt: Just a little bit of salt helps to bring out the flavors in this dish.
- Taco seasoning: This will add a lot of flavor to the casserole and can be found at most grocery stores.
- Smoked paprika: This adds a smoky flavor to the dish, but it can be omitted if you don’t have it.
- Granulated garlic: This is usually found in the spice aisle at most grocery stores.
- Red enchilada sauce: Choose one that you like, it doesn’t have to be a certain brand.
- Beef broth: You can use chicken or vegetable broth as well.
- Mild green chiles: These are usually found canned in the Mexican food section of your grocery store.
- White rice: You can use long-grain white rice or jasmine rice for this dish.
- Sour cream: Makes for a creamy casserole and helps to bring everything together.
- Fritos: This adds crunch to the casserole and is a must!
- Colby jack shredded: Use pre-shredded cheese to save time.
- Lettuce, cilantro, tomato, sour cream, or jalapeños: For garnish.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch baking dish and set aside.
Step 2
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef, diced onion, and salt. Cook until the beef is cooked through and then drain off any excess fat.
Step 3
Add the taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and granulated garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional minute or two until everything is combined and fragrant.
Step 4
Add the red enchilada sauce and beef broth to the pan and stir to combine. Let everything cook for a few minutes until the mixture is bubbling.
Step 5
Add the can of mild green chiles, white rice and sour cream to the pan and mix until everything is combined. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 6
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with Fritos and shredded cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
Step 7
Let cool slightly before serving.
Tips
-If you’re not a fan of beef, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
-For extra crunch and flavor, sprinkle some additional Fritos over the top before baking.
-Swap out the Colby jack cheese for another variety if desired.
-You can also use brown rice instead of white rice.
-If you like it spicy, add some diced jalapenos to the mixture before baking.
-For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and substitute with an additional can of green chiles or black beans.
-To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free Fritos and taco seasoning.
Equipment
- 13×9 inch baking dish
- Large skillet or pot
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 ¾ cup (15 ounces) red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (7 ounces) of mild green chiles
- 1 cup white rice
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2-3 cups Fritos
- 8 ounces Colby Jack shredded
GARNISH
- lettuce, cilantro, tomato, sour cream, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef, diced onion, and salt. Cook until the beef is cooked through and then drain off any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and granulated garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional minute or two until everything is combined and fragrant.
- Add the red enchilada sauce and beef broth to the pan and stir to combine. Let everything cook for a few minutes until the mixture is bubbling.
- Add the can of mild green chiles, white rice and sour cream to the pan and mix until everything is combined. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with Fritos and shredded cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Protein: 29g
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 2394mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 9g
What to serve with Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce?
This casserole is great served with a side of tortilla chips and guacamole, or some fresh salsa. You can also serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal. For a lighter option, you could serve it in lettuce wraps instead of on its own.
If desired, you can also top the casserole with some diced tomatoes or additional red onions for a pop of color.
How to store leftover Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce?
Left Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
If you are planning to freeze this dish, then make sure to do so before baking. Once cooled completely, transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container with a lid and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, as long as the beef is cooked thoroughly. Pregnant women should also ensure that all ingredients are fresh and not expired before consuming.
Additionally, pregnant women should monitor their intake of sodium to avoid any health risks associated with high levels of sodium consumption.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat besides ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even tofu can be used as a substitute for the ground beef. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly if you are using a different type of meat. You can also use black beans instead of meat for a vegetarian version.
You may need to adjust the cooking time and add in more spices for flavor. Be sure to adjust the quantities of ingredients as needed depending on what type of meat or beans you are using.
Is there a vegan version of this dish?
Yes, there is a vegan version of this dish. Simply omit the ground beef and substitute with an additional can of mild green chiles or black beans. Make sure to adjust the spices as needed for added flavor.
Additionally, you’ll need to use dairy-free cheese and sour cream in place of regular cheese and sour cream. Be sure to use vegan Fritos or other vegan-friendly tortilla chips for topping.
You can also add in some diced jalapenos or green peppers if desired. This dish will be just as delicious and flavorful as the original version!
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this dish can easily be made gluten-free. Simply use gluten-free Fritos or tortilla chips and make sure to check the label on the taco seasoning to verify that it is indeed gluten-free. Additionally, you’ll need to use a gluten-free enchilada sauce as well.
Be sure to double-check all of the ingredients to ensure that they are gluten-free. With a few simple modifications, you can enjoy this dish even if you have gluten sensitivities or allergies.
Wrapping Up
Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce is a flavorful and easy Mexican-inspired dish that the whole family will love. With a few simple modifications, you can make this dish gluten-free, vegan, or low sodium.
Serve it on its own or with your favorite sides for a complete meal. Be sure to store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Thank you for learning about Walking Taco Casserole with Enchilada Sauce.
Feel free to share this article with family and friends who love Mexican-inspired dishes.
Buen provecho!
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more