Description
Taco Ranch Bites are delicious, bite-sized appetizers featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with sharp cheddar cheese and creamy ranch dressing, all nestled in crispy phyllo cup shells. Perfect for parties and gatherings, these flavorful bites combine the zest of taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with the cool creaminess of ranch, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, with juices
Cheese and Dressing
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 bottle (8 oz) ranch dressing
Shells
- 5 packages (15 count each) frozen phyllo cup shells
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled bites.
- Cook Ground Beef: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, making sure to break it up and cook evenly. Drain excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Season Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and the canned diced tomatoes with green chiles along with their juices. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld flavors and reduce some liquid.
- Combine Cheese and Dressing: In a large bowl, mix the grated sharp cheddar cheese with the ranch dressing until well combined. Then, stir in the seasoned taco meat mixture thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Fill Phyllo Cups: Place a generous dollop of the taco ranch mixture into each frozen phyllo cup shell, distributing the filling evenly among the 75 cups.
- Bake: Bake the filled phyllo cups at 350°F for 10-13 minutes if using frozen shells, or 8-10 minutes if the shells have been thawed, until the filling is hot and the shells turn golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Allow the taco ranch bites to cool for a minute or two before serving warm, ensuring they are safe and enjoyable to eat.
Notes
- If using thawed phyllo shells, reduce the baking time to prevent burning.
- Drain excess fat from the cooked beef to avoid greasy bites.
- These taco ranch bites freeze well before baking; bake from frozen, increasing the time slightly if needed.
- Can be served as appetizers at parties or as a fun snack for gatherings.
- Adjust cheese or ranch dressing quantity to preference for creamier or cheesier bites.
