Crispy Walking Taco Bake for Easy Weeknight Dinners Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before you start, ensure all your fresh garnishes are washed and chopped. Shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, and slice the jalapeños so they are ready to be added as soon as the casserole comes out of the oven. Have your skillet and baking dish clean and ready on the counter to keep the assembly process efficient.

Instructions

Cooking the seasoned beef

1. 1Prepare the seasoned beef
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully crumbled. Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning along with the recommended amount of water according to the packet instructions. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and the beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).
   Look for The beef should be browned and the seasoning sauce thickened.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip Ensure the beef is cooked through to 160°F (71°C) for food safety.

The beef should be thoroughly browned and crumbled with no pink remaining. Once the taco seasoning and water are added, the mixture should reduce to a thick, flavorful consistency that coats the meat evenly.

The aroma should be rich with spices, and the beef must reach 160°F (71°C) before moving to the assembly stage.

Layering the ingredients

2. 2Assemble the bake
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the corn chips evenly across the bottom. Pour the cooked seasoned beef mixture directly over the corn chips. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the beef layer.
   Look for The dish is layered with chips, beef, and cheese.
   Tip Distribute the beef evenly so every chip gets a bit of flavor.

Start with a generous, even layer of corn chips covering the entire bottom of the baking dish. Spread the beef mixture in an even layer over the chips, ensuring full coverage.

Finish by topping the beef with a thick, uniform layer of shredded cheddar cheese, making sure to reach the corners of the dish for a consistent melt.

Baking and garnishing

3. 3Bake and garnish
   Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Top the casserole with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, and dollops of sour cream before serving.
   Look for The cheese is melted and bubbling golden brown.
   Tip Add the fresh toppings right before serving to keep the chips as crunchy as possible.

The casserole is ready when the cheese is melted, gooey, and bubbling throughout the dish. The edges of the chips should be slightly golden. Once removed from the oven, allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then immediately top with the fresh lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, olives, and sour cream while the base is still hot.

Common mistakes

Avoid overcooking the beef before it goes into the oven, as it will continue to cook during the baking phase. Do not add the fresh garnishes before baking, as the heat will cause the lettuce to wilt and the sour cream to separate.

Finally, ensure the oven is fully preheated to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the cheese melts quickly without softening the chips excessively.

How to tell it’s done

The dish is done when the cheese is fully melted and bubbling across the entire surface. The seasoned beef must reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).

The edges of the corn chips should look golden and crisp, and the entire casserole should smell savory and aromatic, indicating that the flavors have melded perfectly.

• Ground meat: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part