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Taco Cups

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Taco Cups are a fun and easy way to enjoy the flavors of tacos in a convenient, bite-sized form. These little handheld treats are made by baking taco-seasoned beef or chicken in a crispy tortilla shell, then topping them with all the classic taco fixings like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or as a party appetizer, Taco Cups are sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 small flour tortillas
  • 1 lb ground beef (or chicken, turkey, or vegetarian filling)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
  • 1/2 cup water (or according to taco seasoning instructions)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • Salsa (optional, for serving)
  • Jalapeño slices (optional, for extra spice)

Ingredient Highlights

  • Flour Tortillas: Flour tortillas are soft and easy to shape into cups, but corn tortillas can also be used for a different flavor and crunch.
  • Ground Beef (or Chicken): The seasoned meat provides a hearty and flavorful base for the taco cups. Ground chicken or turkey is a lighter alternative, or a vegetarian filling can be used.
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar is commonly used in taco cups, but you can also use a blend of Mexican cheeses for extra flavor.
  • Toppings: The toppings—lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and olives—add freshness, crunch, and creaminess that perfectly complement the savory filling.

Instructions

Prepare the Taco Filling:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Cook the Meat: In a skillet, cook the ground beef (or chicken) over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Season the Meat: Add the taco seasoning and water (or according to the seasoning packet instructions). Stir and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and is fully combined.

Assemble the Taco Cups:

  1. Prepare the Tortillas: Use a cookie cutter or the top of a glass to cut the tortillas into circles that will fit into the muffin tin. You’ll need to cut 12 circles from the tortillas.
  2. Form the Cups: Press each tortilla circle into a muffin cup, forming a cup shape. If the tortilla is too big, you can cut it in half to fit the muffin tin.
  3. Add the Filling: Spoon the taco meat into each tortilla cup, dividing the filling evenly between the cups.
  4. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the taco filling in each cup.

Bake and Finish:

  1. Bake the Taco Cups: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tortilla edges are golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
  2. Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the taco cups from the oven and top each with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and any additional toppings like black olives or jalapeño slices.
  3. Serve: Serve the taco cups immediately with salsa or your favorite taco sauce on the side.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://herbites.com/taco-cups/