Strolling Taco Casserole – Rachel Cooks®

Strolling tacos are enjoyable for state gala’s and the like, however sitting across the kitchen desk consuming them feels somewhat informal. This strolling taco casserole is simply as tasty and simply as straightforward although it isn’t served in a bag.

It’s bought every little thing that makes strolling tacos so scrumptious: seasoned floor beef, beans, Rotel, corn, cheese, and people crunchy Fritos or Doritos that make strolling tacos so enjoyable. And, after all, you’ll want to embrace your favourite taco toppings so everybody can customise their very own portion with no matter they like.

Strolling Taco Casserole

Fast and simple. When you love tacos for busy weeknights, you’ll respect this strolling taco casserole for all the identical causes. It’s prepared in simply over half-hour, and whereas the casserole is baking, you may prep any toppings you need. (When you like the thought of a one pan Mexican casserole, you’ll want to attempt my taco pasta or Mexican spaghetti, too.)

Child-friendly. Tex-Mex is successful with most children, plus the novelty of getting a meal made with Fritos or Doritos virtually ensures that dinner will likely be eaten with zero complaints or pushback. (My taco cups and taco turkey burgers are common for a similar causes.)

Extremely adaptable. This can be a recipe that’s straightforward to customise to your loved ones’s tastes and preferences. Don’t be afraid to place your personal spin on it or use among the variations listed later within the submit.

Ingredient Notes

• Floor beef: I like to make use of lean floor beef (90/10) however if you happen to desire, substitute floor turkey.
• Onion: A daily yellow cooking onion works properly. It needs to be finely diced so there aren’t huge items of onion within the casserole.
• Taco seasoning: You should utilize a store-bought packet or my home made taco seasoning.
• Pinto beans: Rinse and drain the canned beans properly. Black beans additionally work if your loved ones prefers them.
• Diced tomatoes with inexperienced chilies: AKA Rotel. You should purchase the sort of canned tomatoes in various warmth ranges, so be sure to examine the can earlier than placing it in your cart. You don’t wish to be shocked by a scorching sizzling strolling taco casserole.
• Corn: Canned corn is handy in order that’s what I exploit right here however you may swap in frozen corn if you happen to like that higher. There’s no must thaw it first. 
• Chips: Fritos and Doritos are the basic alternative for strolling tacos however tortilla chips work too. Break them up into smaller (however not too small!) items so the casserole is straightforward to eat.
• Cheese: I exploit shredded cheddar cheese however a Mexican mix will even work or attempt pepper Jack for somewhat little bit of a kick.
• Optionally available toppings: Bitter cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, black olives, and the rest you want in your tacos. When you like this casserole simply as it’s with none toppings, that’s completely superb, too! There’s loads of taste on this casserole.

How you can Make Strolling Taco Casserole

Put together. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease a baking dish. You can even use an oven-safe skillet, like forged iron (pictured), so you may prepare dinner the filling and bake the casserole in the identical pan.

Prepare dinner the meat. Set a skillet over medium warmth and as soon as it’s sizzling, add the bottom beef and onions. Brown the meat, breaking it up with a wood spoon because it cooks, after which drain off the surplus fats if you happen to’d like.

End the filling. Stir within the taco seasoning, beans, tomatoes, corn, and water. Prepare dinner for two to three minutes to permit the flavors to mix collectively. The filling ought to thicken barely. Stir in a cup of the cheese, reserving half of the cheese for the highest of the casserole.

Assemble. Switch the filling to the ready casserole dish (or depart it within the skillet if it’s oven-safe). Add a good layer of chips on prime, adopted by the remaining cheese.

Bake. Place the casserole within the oven and bake till the cheese is melted and bubbly, about quarter-hour.

End. Let the casserole cool for five minutes, then add your favourite toppings, and serve.

Straightforward Recipe Variations

• Veg it up. Add diced bell peppers with the onions and floor beef to include one other veggie into the combination. 
• Make it meatless. Use your favourite fake floor beef as a substitute of meat to make this strolling taco casserole vegetarian. You may merely omit the meat if you need or add additional beans. A layer of refried beans is nice, too.
• Infuse it with warmth. Add cayenne with the taco seasoning for extra of a kick. If not everybody in your loved ones can agree on warmth ranges, you may merely serve the casserole with sizzling sauce on the aspect.

Serving Strategies

Refrigerate/freeze: Leftovers will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 to 4 days or frozen for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Make forward & freeze it: The casserole will be frozen earlier than or after baking. If freezing earlier than, assemble the casserole in a casserole dish however don’t bake it. Cowl tightly with a layer of plastic wrap after which foil and freeze for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than baking as directed.

Reheat: To reheat particular person parts, the microwave is greatest. To reheat the whole casserole, place it in a preheated 350ºF oven for 15 to twenty minutes till heated by means of. 

• ▢ 1 lb. floor beef (or floor turkey)
• ▢ ½ cup diced onion (1 small onion)
• ▢ 1 packet (1 oz.) taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons home made taco seasoning)
• ▢ 1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed and drained (or black beans)
• ▢ 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with inexperienced chilies, drained (like Rotel)
• ▢ 1 can (15.25 oz.) corn, drained (or 2 cups frozen corn kernels)
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican mix)
• ▢ 1 bag (9 to 10 oz.) Fritos corn chips, Doritos, or tortilla chips (see observe)
• ▢ optionally available toppings: bitter cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, black olives

• Preheat oven to 350°F and evenly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. When you desire, use a big oven-safe skillet to arrange the entire meal (much less cleanup!)

• In a big skillet over medium warmth, add the bottom beef and onions. Prepare dinner till the bottom beef is browned and cooked by means of, breaking it up into crumbles because it cooks. Drain off extra fats, if desired.

  1 lb. floor beef, ½ cup diced onion

• Add taco seasoning, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and ½ cup water to the skillet. Prepare dinner for one more 2 to three minutes, stirring to combine every little thing collectively. The combination ought to thicken barely. If there’s additional liquid within the pan, prepare dinner it somewhat longer till the liquid largely evaporates.

  1 packet (1 oz.) taco seasoning, 1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed and drained, 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with inexperienced chilies, drained, 1 can (15.25 oz.) corn, drained, ½ cup water

• Flip off warmth and stir in 1 cup of cheese till melted. When you’re not baking the casserole within the skillet, switch the contents of the skillet to the ready baking dish; unfold into a good layer.

  2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• Sprinkle chips on prime, adopted by remaining 1 cup of cheese.

  1 bag (9 to 10 oz.) Fritos corn chips, Doritos, or tortilla chips

• Place the casserole within the preheated oven and bake for quarter-hour, or till the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Take away from the oven and let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes

• Prime together with your favourite taco toppings comparable to shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, bitter cream, guacamole, jalapeños, or salsa.

• Chips: When you use Doritos or tortilla chips, evenly crush the chips into smaller items. Dietary data is determined by the kind of chips you utilize; we’ve calculated the info utilizing Fritos and floor beef (90/10).
• Variations: Add a finely diced bell pepper (any shade); prepare dinner with the bottom meat and onions. Omit the bottom beef if desired. 
• Make forward & freeze:The casserole will be frozen earlier than or after baking. If freezing earlier than, assemble the casserole in a casserole dish however don’t bake it. Cowl tightly with a layer of plastic wrap after which foil and freeze for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than baking as directed.
• Storage & reheating: Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for 3 to 4 days For particular person parts, reheat within the microwave; to reheat the whole casserole, place it in a preheated 350ºF oven for 15 to twenty minutes till heated by means of.

Energy: 675kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 32g, Fats: 38g, Saturated Fats: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 9g, Monounsaturated Fats: 11g, Trans Fats: 1g, Ldl cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 1234mg, Potassium: 727mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 876IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 394mg, Iron: 4mg

Vitamin data is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

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