Description
Sizzling crunchy taco cups deliver Mexican-style magic in bite-sized perfection, packed with zesty ground beef and crisp tortilla shells. Quick weeknight dinners gain serious flavor when you grab these handheld delights for an instant flavor fiesta.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
Base and Cheese:
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
Seasoning and Liquid:
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or 1 tablespoon homemade taco seasoning)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) water
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the baking surface by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat and incorporate taco seasoning with water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for several minutes.
- Create the base layer by gently pressing wonton wrappers into each muffin cup, forming a sturdy foundation for the taco cups.
- Layer the first portion of seasoned meat into each wrapper, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the meat.
- Carefully position a second wonton wrapper on top of the cheese, creating a multi-layered structure. Press down gently to ensure stability.
- Add another scoop of seasoned meat and top with an additional cheese layer to enhance flavor and texture.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake until the wonton wrappers turn golden brown and crisp, and the cheese melts completely, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the taco cups to cool slightly before carefully extracting them from the tin.
- Garnish with fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, dollops of sour cream, or creamy guacamole.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the crispy, flavorful taco cups.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier protein option that keeps the dish versatile and diet-friendly.
- Use whole wheat wonton wrappers to boost fiber content and add a nutty, wholesome flavor to the crispy cups.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or queso fresco to create unique flavor profiles and keep the recipe exciting.
- Prepare the taco meat filling ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for quick assembly, making this a perfect meal prep recipe for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg