Description
These Crispy & Flavorful Taco Cups are a fun and delicious twist on classic tacos. Ground beef cooked with savory taco seasoning is nestled inside crispy wonton wrappers or small flour tortillas shaped into cups, topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, olives, and jalapeños. Perfect as a party appetizer or a family-friendly meal, they are easy to prepare and packed with bold Mexican flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Taco Cups:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- ½ cup water
- 12 wonton wrappers or small flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For Toppings:
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup sliced olives
- ¼ cup jalapeño slices (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté onions: Add ½ cup of finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds to release their aroma.
- Cook ground beef: Add 1 pound of ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned throughout, approximately 5 minutes.
- Season beef: Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then stir in 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix and ½ cup water. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld.
- Prepare taco cups shells: Press wonton wrappers or small flour tortillas gently into the cups of a muffin tin, shaping each into a small cup suitable for holding the filling.
- Fill taco cups: Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly into each cup shell in the muffin tin.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously on top of the beef in each cup to ensure gooey, melted goodness.
- Cool slightly: Allow the taco cups to cool slightly before carefully removing them from the muffin tin to keep their shape intact.
- Add toppings: Top each taco cup with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced olives, chopped cilantro, and optional jalapeño slices for extra flavor and freshness.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the warm taco cups immediately as a delightful appetizer or meal that combines crispy shells and savory filling.
Notes
- You can substitute wonton wrappers with small flour tortillas if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños or omit for milder flavor.
- To make ahead, prepare the beef mixture in advance and assemble just before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with seasoned cooked lentils or plant-based meat substitutes.
- If you want crispier shells, bake the filled taco cups in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes after assembly.
