Name: Walking Taco Casserole with Doritos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 Pounds Ground Beef; 1 Small Onion, diced; 2 Oz Taco Seasoning Packet (two packets total); 10 Oz Can Rotel, drained; 15 Oz Can Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained; 11 Oz Can Mexican Corn; 10 Oz Can Red Enchilada Sauce; 3 Cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, semi crushed; 1.5 Cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded

Jump to Recipe

Walking Taco Casserole with Doritos is made with taco seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, tomatoes, fiesta corn and layers of crunchy Doritos all baked together under melty cheddar cheese.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you’ve ever had a walking taco at a fair or a football game, you already know how ridiculously good they are. This Walking Taco Casserole with Doritos takes all of that crunchy, cheesy, Tex Mex goodness and turns it into the easiest weeknight dinner ever.

It’s hearty, comforting, and absolutely loaded with flavor. You’ve got seasoned beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes baked between crunchy Doritos and topped with melty cheddar cheese. My kids devour this, and honestly, I’m right there with them. It’s super easy to make, always a hit and perfect for a busy weekday dinner.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious meal. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements in the recipe card below.

Doritos – Adds bold cheesy crunch and that classic walking taco flavor.
Taco Seasoning – Brings smoky, savory spice and ties the whole dish together.
Diced Onion – Adds sweetness and depth to the beef mixture.
Ground Beef – The hearty, protein-packed base of the casserole.
Pinto Beans – Adds creaminess and makes the dish more filling.
Rotel – Brings moisture and a slight acidity to balance the richness.
Canned Mexican Corn– Adds sweetness, color, and texture.
Cheddar Cheese – Melts over the top for that gooey, bubbly finish.
Enchilada Sauce- Adds moisture and depth of flavor.
Parsley- An optional garlic that adds a pop of color.

How To Make It

Here is how to make this casserole. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 350°F

First, in a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until fully cooked and the onions are softened. Drain excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning according to package directions. Then, stir in the pinto beans, Rotel, enchilada sauce and Mexican corn. Let simmer for 3–5 minutes so everything combines.

NOTE: Make sure to drain the beef really well. Any extra grease will cause the Doritos to soften too quickly.

taco seasoned ground beef, rotel, enchilada sauce, corn and pinto beans in a large skillet.

Add a layer of slightly crushed Doritos to the bottom of the baking dish. Spread half of the beef mixture over the Doritos and add another layer of Doritos. Top with the remaining beef mixture and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes, garnishing with parsley (optional) and enjoy!

PRO TIP: Be sure to shred the cheese yourself and avoid the pre shredded stuff that comes in a bag. It will melt much better that way.

PRO TIP: Let it rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. It helps the casserole set up so it doesn’t fall apart when serving.

finished walking taco casserole with doritos

What Dorito Flavor Works Best?

Nacho Cheese is classic and gives that true “walking taco” flavor, but Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho work great if you want to switch it up, too.

What Can I Serve This With?

This casserole is very hearty and filling so keep the sides simple with something light like a garden salad.

Storage

Let the casserole cool completely and place it into a food safe air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.