Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is quick, customizable, and perfect for sharing. It offers classic taco flavor in a compact, mess-free format that works equally well as an appetizer or a main dish.
Easy Taco Cups: Bite-Sized Tex-Mex Fun Everyone Loves
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 taco cups
- Diet: Halal
Description
Quick and fun bite-sized taco cups made with crispy shells, seasoned beef, and melty cheese—perfect for parties, snacks, or an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Cooking spray
- Optional toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Press each tortilla into the muffin cups to form a bowl shape.
- Bake tortillas for 8–10 minutes until lightly crisp.
- Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water to the beef and simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Spoon seasoned beef into the tortilla cups.
- Top each cup with shredded cheese.
- Bake for another 8–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Add desired toppings and serve warm.
Notes
- Wonton wrappers can be used instead of tortillas.
- Ground chicken or turkey works well as a substitute.
- Serve immediately for maximum crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Ground beef forms the hearty base of the filling, delivering classic taco flavor and satisfying texture.
Taco seasoning adds bold spices and depth, tying the filling together with familiar Tex-Mex taste.
Wonton wrappers create the crispy taco cup shells. When baked, they become golden and crunchy without frying.
Shredded cheddar cheese provides sharpness and melt, holding the filling together.
Shredded lettuce adds freshness and light crunch after baking.
Diced tomatoes bring brightness and mild acidity, balancing the richness of the filling.
Sour cream adds creaminess and cool contrast to the warm taco cups.
Olive oil helps crisp the wonton wrappers evenly in the oven.
Salt enhances the overall flavor where needed.
Directions
Begin by preheating the oven and lightly greasing a muffin tin. Press wonton wrappers into each cup, shaping them gently to form a shell. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake until lightly golden and crisp. While the shells bake, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat and stir in taco seasoning, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly. Remove the shells from the oven and fill each with the seasoned beef, then top with shredded cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and small dollops of sour cream before serving.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 12 taco cups. Preparation time is about 15 minutes, and baking time is 15 to 18 minutes. Total time is roughly 35 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store leftover taco cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, as it may soften the shells.
Variations and Customizations
Chicken taco cups
Use seasoned shredded chicken instead of beef.
Vegetarian taco cups
Replace meat with black beans or lentils.
Spicy taco cups
Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
Cheese-forward version
Mix multiple cheeses such as Monterey Jack and mozzarella.
Breakfast taco cups
Use scrambled eggs and sausage for a morning version.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, prepare components ahead and assemble before baking.
Do wonton wrappers get crispy?
Yes, they bake into crisp, sturdy shells.
Can I use tortillas instead?
Yes, small tortillas cut into rounds work well.
Are these freezer-friendly?
Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes.
Can I add beans to the filling?
Yes, black or pinto beans work well.
Are these kid-friendly?
Yes, they are mild and fun to eat.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Use gluten-free wrappers or small corn tortillas.
What toppings work best?
Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream are classics.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use multiple muffin tins if needed.
Are these good for parties?
Yes, they are ideal finger food for gatherings.
Conclusion
Easy Taco Cups are a fun, flavorful, and versatile recipe that turns classic taco night into something a little more exciting. With crispy shells, savory filling, and endless topping options, they are a dependable crowd-pleaser that works for everything from casual dinners to festive celebrations.
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