Description
Taco Ranch Bites are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer combining seasoned ground beef, zesty diced tomatoes with green chiles, sharp cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing all served in crispy phyllo cup shells. Perfect for parties and gatherings, these bite-sized treats are flavorful, cheesy, and perfectly baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, with juices
Dairy
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 bottle (8 oz) ranch dressing
Other
- 5 packages (15 count each) frozen phyllo cup shells
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure even baking of the taco ranch bites.
- Cook ground beef: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the filling from becoming greasy.
- Add seasoning and tomatoes: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and the canned diced tomatoes with green chiles along with their juices. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to blend flavors well.
- Mix cheese and ranch: In a large bowl, combine the grated sharp cheddar cheese and ranch dressing thoroughly. Then, stir in the seasoned taco meat until everything is evenly combined.
- Fill phyllo cups: Place a generous dollop of the taco ranch mixture into each frozen phyllo cup shell, distributing evenly among all shells.
- Bake: Bake the filled shells at 350°F for 10-13 minutes if using frozen shells, or 8-10 minutes if thawed, until the filling is hot and the phyllo shells turn golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and serve: Allow the taco ranch bites to cool for a minute or two before serving warm, making them easier to handle and enjoy.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat in the bites.
- If preferred, substitute sharp cheddar with a Mexican blend cheese for a different flavor.
- Thaw phyllo shells slightly if you want to reduce baking time.
- Serve with extra ranch dressing or salsa for dipping if desired.
- These can be prepared ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
