Walking Taco Casserole

This walking taco casserole is everything you love about the Midwest classic, baked in one pan. Seasoned ground beef, black beans, sour cream, and salsa get layered with cheese and Fritos, then baked until bubbly. It’s on the table in 40 minutes.

If you’ve never had a walking taco, it’s a bag of Fritos topped with taco meat, cheese, and whatever toppings you want, eaten straight from the bag with a fork. They were a classic part of my childhood in the Chicago suburbs. This casserole version gives you all that flavor with less mess and enough to feed a crowd. It’s also naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free taco seasoning.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• One pan, minimal cleanup. Everything bakes together in one oven-safe skillet or braising pan.
• Customizable. Swap proteins, adjust the heat, or load up with your favorite toppings.
• Naturally gluten-free. Fritos are labeled gluten-free. Use a gluten-free taco seasoning and you’re set.
• Crowd-friendly. Doubles easily for game day or potlucks.

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Ground beef – I used 90/10 ground beef, which has 10% fat. You can use your favorite ground beef with whatever fat percentage for this recipe. You can use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative.
• Black beans – I used canned black beans for this recipe. Rinse and drain the black beans before using.
• Salsa – I used mild salsa for this recipe because I just wanted to create a saucy mixture without much heat. You can use hot or medium salsa instead if you prefer. Salsa verde will also work in a pinch.
• Sour cream – To make the beef mixture creamy, a little bit of sour cream is added to the taco meat.
• Gluten-free taco seasoning – Packets of taco seasoning that you find in the grocery store are not always gluten-free, so be sure to check for a gluten-free version if you need it to be gluten-free. You can also make my homemade gluten-free taco seasoning recipe, which is super simple.
• Shredded cheddar cheese – I used Tillamook Triple Cheddar Farmstyle Thick Cut Shredded Cheese, which is a combination of sharp, medium cheddar and white cheddar cheeses for this recipe. Use your favorite cheddar cheese for this recipe, or use other varieties like monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, or colby jack cheese.
• Frito corn chips – You can use regular Fritos or Frito scoops for this recipe. Both are labeled as gluten-free. If you can’t find Fritos, you can use tortilla chips instead.

Tip

To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with your favorite plant-based crumbles or use extra black beans or mushrooms in its place.

Topping ideas

I topped my Frito taco casserole with cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cilantro to keep it simple. If you’re looking for more topping ideas, try the following:

• Fresh: diced avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, lime wedges
• Creamy: sour cream, guacamole
• Spicy: pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, roasted jalapeños
• Extra: green onions, sliced black olives, pickled onions

Step-by-Step instructions

This walking taco bake is very simple to make in just one pan. The below photos with matching steps are meant to help you see the recipe made at various stages so you can make it perfectly every time. It is not the full recipe with ingredient measurements.

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

Add the ground beef and diced onions to a skillet preheated over medium heat. Cook until the ground beef is browned and the onions are tender. Add the sour cream, salsa, black beans and gluten-free taco seasoning. Stir together and cook for a few minutes, until the mixture is thickened. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the taco meat. Add the corn chips and top with the remaining cheese. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings before scooping to serve.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of beans?

Feel free to use your favorite beans or a combination of different beans like pinto beans or kidney beans.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Definitely! While shredded cheddar cheese is what I typically use, you can experiment with other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavor profiles.

Can I adjust the spice level of the casserole?

Yes, I use mild salsa to keep my Frito taco pie less spicy, but you can use medium or hot salsa instead if you like a higher spice level.

Can I add additional vegetables to the casserole?

Yes! Feel free to add more vegetables to the casserole, such as diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even roasted sweet potatoes, to incorporate extra flavor or to add some hidden vegetables.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, leave the Fritos off the casserole if you plan on having leftovers as they can get a little soggy in the refrigerator. Add the Fritos before reheating.
• Freezer Option : To freeze the walking taco casserole with Fritos, ensure it has completely cooled. Then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen casserole, let it thaw completely before following the reheating instructions below.
• Reheat: To reheat individual portions, microwave them for 1-2 minutes until heated through. For larger portions, you can reheat the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed to your liking.

Serving Suggestions

This is a full meal on its own, but if you’re feeding a crowd or want to make it a spread, set out guacamole and black bean corn salsa for extra toppings. Homemade chili lime tortilla chips are great for scooping. And if it’s game day, a pineapple margarita doesn’t hurt.

More gluten-free one pot meals to try

All One Pot

• 

  Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes

• 

  Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

• 

  Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know! Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also share your pictures and tag @adashofmegnut on Instagram.