Walking Taco Casserole

🥘 Mediterranean Walking Taco Casserole

🧺 Ingredients

Meat Base

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning (Mediterranean-Inspired)

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon ground coriander

• ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Casserole Add-Ins

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas (drained & rinsed)

• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained

• 1 cup crushed corn tortilla chips

• 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)

Fresh Toppings (After Baking)

• Chopped lettuce

• Diced tomatoes

• Sliced olives

• Chopped parsley or cilantro

Creamy Yogurt Sauce (Mediterranean Swap)

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Pinch of salt

---

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion until soft, add garlic.

3. Add ground meat and cook until browned.

4. Stir in spices, chickpeas, and diced tomatoes. Simmer 3–5 minutes.

5. Spread meat mixture into the baking dish.

6. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips evenly over the top.

7. Add shredded cheese.

8. Bake 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden.

9. Cool slightly, then top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and herbs.

10. Drizzle with yogurt sauce before serving.

---

🌿 Mediterranean Tips

• Add feta cheese with the shredded cheese for extra flavor

• Swap chips with baked pita chips

• Make it vegetarian using lentils + mushrooms