Walking Taco Casserole

Instructions

1. 1. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it’s browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the beef cooks evenly. Drain any excess fat if necessary, then return the beef to the skillet.
   2. Add the onion and taco seasoning: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 1 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the meat. This will infuse the beef with a savory taco flavor. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat.
   3. Prepare the casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 9×9-inch or similarly sized casserole dish, spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom to form a crunchy base layer. You can use the back of a spoon to press them down lightly to make sure they stick.
   4. Layer the casserole: Spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the crushed tortilla chips. Spread it out to ensure every bite has plenty of flavor. Top the beef layer with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend), spreading it out evenly to cover the beef.
   5. Bake the casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through. The cheese should have a golden, slightly crisped top, while the tortilla chips beneath will stay crunchy.