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Taco Ranch Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 132 reviews

Taco Ranch Bites are a flavorful party appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with sharp cheddar cheese and creamy ranch dressing, all tucked into crispy phyllo cup shells. These bite-sized treats are baked to golden perfection, making them ideal for gatherings and easy snacking.

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 & Dressing Mixture:

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 bottle (8 oz) ranch dressing

Shells:

  • 5 packages (15 count each) frozen phyllo cup shells

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F to have it ready when you assemble your taco ranch bites.
  2. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off excess fat to keep the bites from being greasy.
  3. Add the flavor: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and diced tomatoes with green chiles, including their juices. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to marry all the flavors.
  4. Create the creamy mixture: In a large bowl, combine the grated sharp cheddar cheese and ranch dressing thoroughly. Add the seasoned beef mixture to the bowl and stir until well blended into a creamy, cheesy filling.
  5. Fill those little cups: Place a generous spoonful of the taco ranch mixture into each frozen phyllo cup shell. There is no need to thaw the shells before filling.
  6. Bake until golden: Bake the filled phyllo cups in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes if using thawed shells, or 10-13 minutes if starting from frozen, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the shells turn golden and crispy.
  7. Serve these crowd-pleasers: Let the bites cool for a minute or two after baking, then serve them warm. They make an irresistible, fast-disappearing appetizer at any party or gathering.

Notes

  • You can add a splash of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture for extra heat.
  • To save time, buy pre-grated cheese and pre-seasoned taco meat if preferred.
  • These bites reheat well in the oven for a few minutes to maintain crispiness.
  • Use turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
  • If phyllo cups are not available, mini tortilla cups can be a good substitute.

Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites, phyllo cups appetizer, party snacks, cheesy taco bites, baked appetizers, Tex-Mex finger food

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/taco-ranch-bites-recipe/