Walking Taco Casserole

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Walking Taco Casserole

Have you ever tried walking tacos or Frito pie? My Texan friend asked me if I wanted to try a pop-up in Brooklyn, where we both resided, a few summers ago. I had never tried or heard of Frito pie growing up in the Northeast.

INGREDIENTS

  1. Two tsp neutral oil (like canola oil)
  2. One sliced white onion
  3. 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  4. One pound of ground beef, 80/20
  5. Three tablespoons of taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  6. One thinly diced scallion
  7. One fifteen-oz can of pinto beans
  8. One 10-oz can RO*TEL Original Green Chilies and Diced Tomatoes
  9. One cup of chunky, thick salsa
  10. To taste, add salt and black pepper to 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, or more if necessary.
  11. One nine-ounce bag Corn chips from Fritos

In order to serve (optional)

  1. sour cream
  2. Jalapenos in pickles
  3. chopped scallions
  4. shredded green leafy vegetables

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the aromatics and sauté.

  • Heat the oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they are transparent and tender.

Cook the meat.

  • Using a wooden spoon, add the beef and break it up into bite-sized pieces. Saute until beautifully browned, 6 to 8 minutes.

Note:

  • Season the meat with a healthy pinch of salt if your taco seasoning does not include additional salt.
  • Set the oven temperature to 350°F while the meat is cooking.

Reduce the heat in the casserole:

  • After lowering the heat to medium-low, mix in the pinto beans, onions, and taco seasoning. Saute until thoroughly combined, one to two minutes.
  • After adding the salsa and Rotel, simmer the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meat is properly seasoned and the flavors have blended. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.

Top with toppings:

  • Quickly move mixture to a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, spreading evenly. Add two cups of Fritos chips and cheddar cheese on top, or more if you’d like.
  • Bake until the cheese is nicely melted, about 10 minutes.

Assist

  • Add optional dollops of sour cream, pickled jalapenos, scallions, and shredded lettuce to the top of the casserole dish. Distribute among serving dishes and savor!

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