Mini Beef Cheese Taco Cups Bitesized Fiesta
Table of Contents
Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups: Your Bite Sized Fiesta!
Craving a flavor explosion? Honestly, who isn't? Let's talk Taco Cups with Beef and cheese. These ain't your average Tuesday night tacos, mate.
They're like little pockets of happiness, perfect for sharing...or not!
What's the Deal with Taco Cups?
These little beauties are Tex-Mex magic in a muffin tin. Originating as a fun, modern twist on classic tacos, they are a total crowd pleaser.
This recipe is seriously easy total beginner level. It will take you around 35 minutes and makes about 24 taco cups.
Why You'll Love These Ground beef taco bites
Okay, picture this: savory beef, melty cheddar, all snuggled in a crispy shell. They're packed with protein and iron from the beef.
Serve them up at your next game night, your friend's baby shower, or just because you deserve a treat. This recipe is special because it combines simple ingredients.
This gives a huge amount of flavour in one tiny bite. Think of them as individual taco bowls, so it is essentially Food In A Cup , but in a way better way.
Get Your Ingredients Ready!
Ready to dive in? Here's what you'll need to make these Easy beef taco cups .
- 1 pound (454g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28g) taco seasoning
- ½ cup (120ml) water
- 24 wonton wrappers, the Wonton taco cups recipe
- 2 cups (224g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Your favourite toppings
Let's Make These Taco Cups!
Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). Now, let's brown some ground beef with onions. Then, stir in that yummy taco seasoning.
Get Crispy Nacho Cupcakes
Press your wonton wrappers into muffin tins. It will be a nice way to make some Tex-Mex muffin tin recipes .
Next, add the beef and cheese and bake for 10- 12 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Perfect Taco Cups
Don't overfill those cups, or they'll get soggy. Trust me ! Use good cheese for the best melt. For extra crispiness, lightly brush the wrappers with oil before baking.
Also, bake in the middle rack in your oven.
Level-Up Your Taco Game
Want to spice things up? Add jalapeños to the beef for a fiery kick. Feeling veggie? Use black beans instead of beef.
Change out the cheddar for Cheddar cheese taco cups as well! You could also use Monterey Jack.
Serving Suggestions
Serve them with a dollop of sour cream and salsa. Guac and chips are also a great side. These mini taco cups are also perfect for Baby Shower Dinner Food .
Enjoy your Mini taco cups !
Ingredients & Equipment: Taco Time, Simplified!
Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for these amazing Taco Cups with Beef and cheese. Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward, which is exactly how I like it on a busy weeknight.
We're making Easy beef taco cups , and I promise you won't need a culinary degree. Think of these Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups as individual taco bowls no forks required! Food In A Cup is a fun way to enjoy a fiesta.
Main Ingredients: Your Taco Building Blocks
Here's what you gotta have:
- Ground Beef: 1 pound ( 454g ). Aim for 80/20 – that little bit of fat makes it extra flavorful, you know?
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ). This helps the onion cook up nicely.
- Yellow Onion: 1 small, diced (about 1 cup or 150g ).
- Taco Seasoning: 1 packet (1 ounce/ 28g ).
- Water: ½ cup ( 120ml ).
- Wonton Wrappers: 24 (or 12 small tortillas). I find the wonton wrappers make these a great Taco cup appetizers .
- Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups ( 224g ), shredded. Good quality cheddar is key!
- Optional Garnishes: Sour cream, salsa, cilantro, tomatoes, guacamole. Pile 'em high!
Pro Tip: For the cheese, avoid the pre-shredded stuff if you can. It doesn't melt as well! If you want Cheddar cheese taco cups , shred it yourself!.
Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up!
Taco seasoning is your best friend here. Most packets are pretty good. If you are using flour tortillas to make Nacho Cupcakes , use small ones.
Wonton taco cups recipe is also a good option. You can also mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
You really don't need much fancy stuff.
- Muffin Tin: 12-cup. You'll need to bake in batches.
- Large Skillet: For cooking the beef.
- Spoon: For scooping the filling.
- Cutting Board and Knife: For dicing that onion.
That's it! If you don't have a muffin tin, you could even try using ramekins, but keep a close eye on them in the oven.
Alright, ready to get cooking?. Baby Shower Dinner Food that is Tex-Mex muffin tin recipes is always a great idea, and this Mini taco cups recipe will fit in perfectly!
Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups: Bite Sized Fiesta!
Oh my gosh, these Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups are the best . Seriously. I'm obsessed. I made these for a baby shower once, and they were a huge hit.
Everyone loved these food in a cup . Think of them as super cute mini taco cups , or even nacho cupcakes .
Taco cup appetizers never last long! These ground beef taco bites disappear fast . Let's get into how to make these little bundles of joy.
Prep Like a Pro
First things first: mise en place , my friends. Dice that onion about 1 cup is perfect. Get your 1 pound of ground beef ready.
And measure out that 1 ounce taco seasoning packet. This really streamlines the whole process. Safety wise, just be careful with that knife!
From Skillet to Muffin Tin: The Process
Here's the lowdown on how to assemble these Easy beef taco cups :
- Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . Grease your muffin tin. You'll thank me later.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Sauté the diced onion for about 5 minutes , till it's soft.
- Brown that ground beef . Drain off the grease. No one likes greasy Taco Cups with Beef and sadness.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup of water . Simmer until the liquid's gone about 5- 7 minutes .
- Press a wonton wrapper into each muffin cup. Or use tortilla circles. Whatever floats your boat. This is like a base of Wonton taco cups recipe .
- Spoon in the beef mixture. Then, pile on the 2 cups of cheddar cheese . Don't be shy!
- Bake for 10- 12 minutes . The edges should be golden, and the cheese all melty.
- Let them cool a bit before popping them out. Enjoy with all your favourite toppings!
Taco Cup Secrets Revealed
Want to take your Tex-Mex muffin tin recipes to the next level? Don't overfill those cups! Soggy cups are a bummer.
Also, I swear by freshly shredded Cheddar cheese taco cups it melts better than the pre-shredded stuff. If you are going to make-ahead, you can prepare the beef mixture a day in advance.
Just store it in the fridge. So easy! Honestly, these Taco Cups with Beef and cheese are just the best party snack.
This can be ideal Baby Shower Dinner Food .
Recipe Notes for Your Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups!
These Taco Cups with Beef and cheese are honestly, ridiculously easy. I practically lived off them during uni. I am not joking! They are the perfect food in a cup .
But even the simplest recipes can benefit from a few insider tips. So here we go!
Presentation Power: Serving Suggestions
Alright, picture this: golden brown, cheesy mini taco cups arranged artfully on a platter. Forget being fancy! A simple scattering of chopped cilantro adds a fresh pop of colour.
Serve these puppies with a dollop of sour cream or a vibrant salsa. Or, go wild and add some guac.
Think of it as a deconstructed taco experience. A little Mexican coleslaw cuts through the richness. Maybe serve with a side of tortilla chips.
Lockdown Lessons: Storage Tips
Right, so you've made a mountain of these easy beef taco cups . What if there are leftovers? Easy peasy! Keep any leftover ground beef taco bites in the fridge.
Place them in an airtight container. They'll be good for about 3-4 days . Reheating? A quick zap in the microwave works, but for extra crispiness, a few minutes in a preheated oven at 350° F ( 175° C) is the way to go.
I don't recommend freezing these. The wonton wrappers can get a bit soggy on thawing.
Remixing the Classics: Variations
Fancy mixing things up? You got it! For a veggie version, sub the ground beef with black beans. These will make a great baby shower dinner food .
Season them with the taco seasoning. Or, try using crumbled veggie "beef". Also, if you're watching the calories, use lean ground beef.
You could also swap out the cheddar for a lower fat cheese. For a seasonal twist, add some roasted butternut squash in the fall! This one can pass as Nacho Cupcakes .
Know Your Bites: Nutrition Basics
Each of these taco cup appetizers delivers a satisfying punch of flavour. Plus, they have protein. Roughly, you're looking at around 120 calories per cup.
There's about 8g of protein, 8g of fat, and 6g of carbs. Of course, that's an estimate. It depends on what cheese and beef you use, you know? The beef gives you iron.
The cheese gives you calcium. And let’s be honest, they bring a smile to your face that's gotta be good for something!
These little wonton taco cups recipe are a guaranteed win, I promise. I know I’ve had a few kitchen disasters, but I can tell you, they're hard to mess up.
They're versatile. So, get creative. Most importantly, have fun in the kitchen. And if you create the perfect Tex-Mex muffin tin recipes that's even better!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these Taco Cups with Beef and Cheese ahead of time? I'm having a party, you see!
You can definitely prep some of the components ahead of time. Brown the ground beef, season it, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also shred the cheese in advance. However, for the crispiest taco cups, it's best to assemble and bake them right before serving.
Think of it like a Sunday roast best fresh out of the oven!
My wonton wrappers get soggy sometimes. Any tips for preventing soggy Taco Cups with Beef and...?
Ah, the dreaded soggy bottom! First, make sure you aren't overfilling the cups with the beef mixture. Too much moisture will seep into the wonton wrappers. Also, bake them on the middle rack of your oven for even heat distribution.
Finally, a little trick is to brush the inside of the wonton wrappers with a bit of melted butter or oil before filling them. It's like giving them a waterproof coat!
I'm not a huge beef eater. What are some good substitutions for ground beef in these Mini Beef & Cheese Taco Cups?
No worries, plenty of options here! You could easily substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner version. For a vegetarian option, try using cooked black beans, crumbled tofu (make sure to press out the excess water!), or even a vegetarian ground beef substitute.
Just remember to season whatever you use with that delicious taco seasoning!
How long do these Taco Cups with Beef and Cheese last, and how should I store them?
Cooked taco cups are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind the wonton wrappers will soften over time. To reheat, you can pop them back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes or microwave them.
Just be prepared for them to not be as crispy as when they were first made.
Are these taco cups healthy? What are the nutritional considerations?
Like most things, these are best enjoyed in moderation. To make them healthier, you can use leaner ground beef, reduce the amount of cheese, and load them up with veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado. Using whole wheat tortillas instead of wonton wrappers is another way to increase the fiber content.
You can also make these with ground turkey for a lower fat alternative.
Any tips for making these Taco Cups with Beef and perfect for picky eaters?
Absolutely! Separate the ingredients so everyone can customize their own. Set out the cooked beef, cheese, and various toppings (sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes) in bowls and let everyone assemble their own taco cups. This way, picky eaters can choose exactly what they want, and you'll avoid any dinnertime dramas.
Plus, it's a fun and interactive way to get everyone involved in the meal!
Mini Beef Cheese Taco Cups Bitesized Fiesta
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 120 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 8g |
| Fiber | 1g |