A delicious and easy Walking Taco Casserole recipe! Here’s a dish that combines the flavors of tacos, ground beef, and cheese, all in one convenient casserole:
Ingredients
1. 1 lb ground beef
2. 1/2 cup chopped onion
3. 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
4. 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
5. 2 cloves garlic, minced
6. 1 packet of taco seasoning
7. 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
8. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
9. 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
10. 1 cup crushed Fritos corn chips
11. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
1. *Preheat oven:* Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. *Brown ground beef:* In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
3. *Soften onion and bell pepper:* Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until they’re softened.
4. *Add jalapeño and garlic:* Add diced jalapeño and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
5. *Add taco seasoning:* Sprinkle taco seasoning over the ground beef mixture and stir to combine.
6. *Stir in diced tomatoes:* Add drained diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine.
7. *Combine cheese:* In a separate bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
8. *Assemble casserole:* In a 9×13 inch baking dish, arrange half of the crushed Fritos corn chips in the bottom of the dish. Spoon the ground beef mixture over the Fritos, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining Fritos, then the remaining ground beef mixture, and finally the remaining cheese mixture.
9. *Bake:* Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. *Garnish:* Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top of the casserole, if desired.
11. *Serve:* Serve the Walking Taco Casserole hot, garnished with additional cilantro, salsa, and sour cream, if desired.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
1. Calories: 420
2. Fat: 26g
3. Saturated Fat: 10g
4. Cholesterol: 60mg
5. Sodium: 450mg
6. Carbohydrates: 25g
7. Fiber: 2g
8. Sugar: 5g
9. Protein: 25g
Weight Watchers Points
1. Green Plan: 12 points
2. Blue Plan: 10 points
3. Purple Plan: 8 points
Tips and Variations
1. *Customize the toppings:* Offer a variety of toppings, such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream, and salsa.
2. *Use different types of cheese:* Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Pepper Jack or Colby Jack.
3. *Add some heat:* If you like spicy food, add diced jalapeños or serrano peppers to the ground beef mixture.
4. *Make it a one-pot meal:* Cook the ground beef mixture in a large skillet, then add the remaining ingredients and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.