25-Minute Walking Taco Casserole (Family Favorite Weeknight Dinner!)

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese offers fewer calories, while processed cheese can be more budget-friendly.

In a skillet, brown 1.5 lbs of ground beef (can adjust to 1 or 2 lbs depending on family size).

Drain excess grease if using higher fat ground beef; leave it in for lean beef for flavor.

Add 1 cup of salsa (ensure it's gluten-free) to the browned beef.

Add 1 packet of taco seasoning and 0.5 cup of water; stir together.

Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce.

Add 3 oz of softened cream cheese to the beef mixture (optional) and stir until smooth.

Pour the beef mixture into an 11x7 inch baking dish (or adjust dish size based on beef amount).

Sprinkle 3 cups of Fritos on top of the beef mixture.

Sprinkle 1.5 cups of freshly grated cheese on top of the Fritos.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5 to 10 minutes to melt the cheese.

Prepare toppings such as shredded lettuce, avocado, salsa, and sour cream while the casserole is baking.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens