Taco Cups Ground Beef Cheese (Print View)
Crispy tortilla cups filled with seasoned beef and melted cheese, ideal for snacks or casual meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean recommended
→ Seasoning & Flavor
02 - 1 packet taco seasoning mix (1 oz)
03 - 1/3 cup water
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
→ Tortilla Base
06 - 12 small flour tortillas (6-inch rounds)
→ Cheese & Toppings
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
08 - 1/2 cup salsa, plus extra for serving
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Using a round cookie cutter or glass rim, cut each tortilla into circles that fit snugly into muffin cups. Press each circle into a cup, folding edges as needed.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking up with spoon for 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and water to beef. Stir well and simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - Spoon 1 1/2–2 tablespoons seasoned beef into each tortilla cup. Top with salsa and generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
06 - Bake 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden and crispy.
07 - Let cool 2–3 minutes before removing from tin. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and cilantro. Serve warm with extra salsa.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Everything you love about tacos but in adorable handheld form that guests can grab between conversations
- The tortilla edges get perfectly crispy while staying tender where they meet the seasoned beef
02 -
- Draining the beef after cooking prevents soggy tortilla bottoms, which I learned the hard way at a birthday party
- The cooling time isn't optional, these need a few minutes to set or they'll fall apart when you try to remove them
03 -
- Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds before cutting them to prevent cracking
- Use the rim of a drinking glass if you don't have round cookie cutters in the right size