Description
Savor taco ranch bites, a zesty fusion of Mexican and American flavors packed with bold spices and creamy ranch dressing. Crispy tortilla cups cradle seasoned ground beef, creating an irresistible appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 75 frozen phyllo tart shells (5 x 15-count packages)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 ounce (1-oz) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (8-ounce) bottle ranch dressing
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Sauté ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium heat, thoroughly breaking down the meat until it turns a rich, golden brown color.
- Carefully drain away any accumulated excess fat from the cooked beef to ensure a cleaner, lighter texture.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and fold in diced tomatoes with green chiles, creating a vibrant and flavorful meat mixture.
- Allow the seasoned meat to simmer gently for approximately 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together, then remove from heat.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cooled taco meat with shredded cheese and creamy ranch dressing, stirring until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Delicately spoon the prepared mixture into crisp, frozen phyllo tart shells, filling each one generously.
- Transfer the filled tart shells to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt into a bubbly, golden surface.
- If using frozen tart shells, extend the baking time by an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure thorough heating.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that maintains robust flavor without compromising texture.
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chiles to suit personal spice preferences.
- Prepare filling ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing quick assembly when unexpected guests arrive or for fast weeknight entertaining.
- Store unused phyllo shells in freezer and keep taco meat mixture sealed separately to create instant appetizers within minutes of craving a delicious bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 15
- Calories: 246
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg