Description
Chili cheese cups deliver a mouthwatering twist on classic comfort food, blending spicy ground beef with melted cheese in crispy tortilla shells. Simple yet irresistible, these bite-sized treats will make you the star of any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) 85% lean ground beef
- 1 (15-ounce/425 grams) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 to 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Base and Cheese:
- 3 (8-count) packages refrigerated biscuit dough (24-count total; Trader Joes Buttermilk Biscuit Dough or Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers)
- 1 (6-ounce/170 grams) can tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend
- Finely minced fresh parsley (optional for garnishing)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 400°F and thoroughly coating two standard muffin pans with non-stick spray.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles while cooking.
- Enhance the beef mixture by incorporating kidney beans, tomato paste, onion flakes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and pepper. Stir thoroughly and allow spices to develop their flavors for approximately one minute.
- Carefully separate individual biscuit dough pieces and gently stretch each one to line the muffin pan cavities, ensuring complete coverage of base and sides.
- Distribute chili mixture evenly into each dough-lined cup, avoiding overfilling, and sprinkle an initial layer of cheese on top.
- Transfer muffin pans to the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes. After initial baking, gently press each cup back into shape using a spoon’s back, then add a second cheese layer.
- Continue baking for an additional 8 minutes until cheese melts completely and dough achieves a golden-brown finish.
- Allow chili cheese cups to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, which helps them set and makes removal easier. Optional: garnish with fresh minced parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Trim biscuit dough edges carefully to prevent burning and ensure even baking around the cup’s rim.
- Switch ground beef to ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier alternative that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Use silicone muffin liners for easier removal and minimal sticking, especially if your muffin pan tends to hold onto baked goods.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and cumin quantities, allowing flexibility for mild or bold taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 307
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 749 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 63 mg