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Easy Loaded Walking Taco Casserole Recipe with Crispy Fritos for Perfect Game Day Snack

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A quick and easy casserole combining crispy Fritos, seasoned ground beef, beans, and melty cheese for a crowd-pleasing game day snack that’s warm, gooey, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef, lean or regular, browned and drained
  • 4 cups (about 240g) Fritos corn chips, keep some aside for topping
  • 1 can (16 oz/454g) refried beans
  • 1 can (10 oz/283g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained slightly
  • 1 packet (or 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning
  • 2/3 cup (160 ml) water
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or mild
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2–3 green onions, sliced thin
  • 1 small jalapeño, diced (optional)
  • Sour cream, for serving
  • A handful of cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Olive oil or cooking spray, to grease baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and stir in 2/3 cup water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine refried beans and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir until smooth but still chunky.
  5. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  6. Layer the casserole: spread half the Fritos evenly in the dish, top with the bean and tomato mixture, then the seasoned beef. Sprinkle green onions and diced jalapeño (if using). Add half the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  7. Repeat layers with remaining Fritos and cheeses. Do not press down too hard to keep air pockets for crunch.
  8. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are golden. Watch closely after 15 minutes to avoid burning the Fritos.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.
  10. Garnish with dollops of sour cream and chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

To keep Fritos crisp, drain tomatoes well and avoid over-saturating the chips. Add some Fritos just before serving for extra crunch. Do not stir casserole during baking to maintain layers. Tent with foil if chips brown too quickly. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight. Freeze before baking for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: walking taco casserole, Fritos casserole, game day snack, easy casserole, taco casserole, loaded casserole, quick dinner

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-loaded-walking-taco-casserole-recipe-with-crispy-fritos-for-perfect-game-day-snack/