Description
I can still picture the excitement in the air as friends gathered around my kitchen island, eagerly waiting for the latest snack to emerge from the oven. It was then that I first introduced my now-famous Taco Ranch Bites—a crowd favorite that never fails to impress. Just six simple ingredients come together in a cheesy, flavor-packed punch that transports us straight to Taco Tuesday bliss, no matter the day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup bottled ranch dressing
- 1 package frozen phyllo tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. This will help achieve that perfect golden-brown finish on your bites.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to drain the excess fat for a healthier bite!
- Add the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes & green chiles to the beef. Stir this mixture and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes to blend those delicious flavors. Remove from heat.
- Combine the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch dressing with the taco meat mixture. Stir until everything is well incorporated and you’re left with a cheesy, flavorful filling.
- Spoon the taco meat mixture generously into the frozen phyllo tart shells, making sure to fill each one to the brim. If you’re preparing these ahead of time, freeze them at this point for later use.
- Bake the filled tart shells for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the tops are golden. If you’re baking from frozen, add an extra 2-3 minutes until bubbly and irresistible!
Notes
- Flaky Perfection: Ensure the phyllo tart shells are fully frozen before filling them for optimal texture.
- Flavorful Meat: Don’t skip on browning the ground beef well; it enhances the flavor of your Taco Ranch Bites.
- Customizable Heat: For a kick, add diced jalapeños to the filling or sprinkle some cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
- Baking from Frozen: If baking directly from the freezer, anticipate adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the cooking time for perfectly melted cheese.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days, and reheat in the oven for the best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites