Description
Creamy ranch-seasoned taco bites combine zesty Mexican flavors with rich, tangy dressing. Crispy tortilla cups cradle spicy ground beef and cool ranch, offering a perfect party appetizer for hungry guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 5 packages (15 count each) frozen phyllo tart shells
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 package (28 grams) taco seasoning
- 1 bottle (237 milliliters) ranch dressing
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (284 grams) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing a clean baking sheet for the appetizers.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until completely cooked through and no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, then return meat to pan and reduce heat to medium.
- Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and green chiles into the meat mixture, allowing flavors to meld for approximately 5 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine shredded cheese and ranch dressing, creating a creamy base.
- Fold the seasoned taco meat into the cheese and ranch mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Carefully spoon the combined mixture into pre-made frozen phyllo shells, filling each shell to the top.
- Place filled shells on the prepared baking sheet and transfer to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes if shells are thawed, or 10-13 minutes if still frozen, until edges are golden and filling is heated through.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning or adding diced jalapeños for extra spice.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian alternative.
- Prep shells ahead of time and refrigerate filling to save time during party or gathering preparations.
- Use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt ranch for a healthier version without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 15
- Calories: 226
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg