Delicious Taco Cups Recipe
Looking for a quick weeknight dinner or to spice up your next taco party menu? Look no further than these irresistible taco cups! These take the classic taco bowls recipe to a new level of fun and convenience. Hand-held taco cups are made fast and easy with Grands Biscuits. Whether hosting a fiesta with friends or simply craving a delicious snack, these taco cup recipes will surely be a hit. So next time you need taco party food ideas, include these crowd-pleasing taco cups on your menu!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Taco Cup Recipe?
It's easy and versatile. These taco bites are a fun family meal or a perfect taco appetizer.
🍲 Ingredients
Ground Beef - Or use ground chicken or ground turkey. Or if your looking for vegetarian taco bowls use a plant based meat substitute like Beyond Beef.
Taco Seasoning - who's your favorite package taco seasoning or make your own. This is a great way to use leftover spices. Here's a quick lowdown on how to make your own taco seasoning. Combine the following for your own homemade taco seasoning. Adjust the heat for your taste.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Shredded cheese - use cheddar or pepper jack. But the secret to gooey melted cheese is shredding your own.
Grands Biscuits - please make the recipe super quick and easy!
Taco Cups with Tortillas
How to Make a Tortilla Cup in the Oven
- Preheat and Prepare Your Muffin Tin:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray or brush a muffin tin with cooking oil to help the tortilla cups release easily after baking. - Shape Your Tortilla:
Lay a tortilla flat on a cutting board. If you prefer smaller cups, cut the tortilla into smaller rounds or wedges that will fit your muffin tin. - Press into the Muffin Tin:
Gently press the tortilla into the muffin cup, working it around the sides so that it forms a neat cup shape. You can use your fingers to mold it, ensuring it fits snugly. - Bake Until Crisp:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until the tortilla turns a light golden color and becomes crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning. - Cool and Fill:
Once done, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the tortilla cups cool for a minute or two before carefully removing them. Now they're ready to be filled with your favorite toppings like taco meat, beans, salsa, or a fresh salad.
🗒 Substitutions
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- Make a vegetarian taco crescent ring by using a vegetarian ground beef substitute like Beyond Beef.
- You can add any other toppings you may like, such as black olives, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream, and different cheeses.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Press Into the Cup: Gently press each biscuit into the muffin cups to form an even layer that will hold the taco filling well.
- Top Off with Cheese: Add a final topping like more cheese or a few tortilla strips on top for extra crunch and flavor.
- Get creative, I use your favorite taco toppings and cut them very small to garnish these gorgeous little taco cups. Or you can have the garnish on the side and let people garnish their own.
👝 How to Store Leftovers
- These taco bites can be stored in an airtight container or ziptop bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- To reheat leftovers, place on baking sheet and heat at 325F degrees until heated through.
🗒 A Taco Party Menu: Why the Taco Ring Is Perfect for Entertaining
One of the best things about the taco cups is how fun and festive they are. Whether you're looking for taco party menu ideas, a casual family dinner, or even a holiday gathering, this dish adds a playful touch to any spread. Here are a few reasons why it's a go-to for entertaining:
🗒 Taco Party Ideas
A taco party is the perfect dinner party menu-fun, flavorful, and totally stress-free when you keep things simple. I love making this taco ring and sheet pan fajitas for these nights because they look impressive but require very little hands-on time. There is no need to overcomplicate things!
Including the table setting as I shared in my recent article. Set the mood (here are some of my (Amazon Taco Party Decor Ideas) with a fun playlist, light a few candles, and offer a signature batch cocktail so guests can help themselves while you relax and enjoy the evening. I always ask guests to bring what they'd like to drink in addition to my signature cocktail. It keeps things easy and everyone satisfied.
The secret to knowing how to host a dinner party and actually enjoy it? Do as much as you can ahead of time. That means prepping ingredients, setting the table, and even cueing up your favorite playlist (here's a fun Mexican Party Playlist on Spotify) before anyone rings the doorbell. With the main dishes ready to go, you'll have more time to chat, laugh, and be present. Hosting a dinner party should be just as much fun for you as it is for your friends-and with the right menu, music, and a few cozy touches, it totally can be.
Taco Party Menu Ideas
- Taco Cups
- Taco Ring
- Sheet Pan Fajitas
- Tortilla Chips
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Guacamole
- Black Bean Dip
- Pico de gallo
- Big Batch Margaritas
Can I make the taco cups in advance?
You can Pre-Make the Filling and Assemble Just Before Serving
Make the Taco Filling in Advance:
Cook your taco meat or beans with the seasonings ahead of time. Let the filling cool and store it in the fridge in a sealed container. This step saves time and allows the flavors to meld.
Assemble on the Day of Serving:
Keep the biscuit cups and filling separate until just before serving. Fill the biscuit cups with the heated taco filling- just pop in the microwave until warm, top, and pop them in the oven to melt the cheese and serve warm.
There are so many ways to customize a taco cups! Some ideas include:
Using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Adding refried beans to the filling for extra flavor. Mixing in black beans or corn to the beef mixture for added texture.
Making a vegetarian version by substituting the meat with beans, lentils, or plant-based crumbles.
Using spicy Pepper Jack cheese for a little kick, or adding jalapeños directly to the filling.
Yes, see the directions above
Taco Party Menu Ideas
Taco Cups Recipe
Equipment
- muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1 ¼-1 ½ lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup of water
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or pepper Jack cheese
- 1 16-16.3 oz can Grands jumbo Buttermilk biscuits Or sub tortillas or won-ton wrappers. see notes
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F. Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
- Stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup of water. Simmer2-3 minutes.
- Turn of the heat and fold in cheese until it's melted
- Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- Split 6 of the biscuits horizontally by gently peeling them apart at the middle layer. Using a small jar, glass, or pestle, press one of the biscuit halves in each of the muffin tins to cover the bottom and up the sides. Alternatively, flatten the biscuit halves with your fingers on a flat surface so that they become 4 inches in diameter, and then press into the muffin tins.
- Fill each muffin tin with 3-4 tablespoons of the taco meat.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the biscuits are golden brown.
- Gently run a knife around the edge of each biscuit to loosen, then transfer to a serving tray. Optional, serve with toppings.
Notes
- You can also use tortillas or 24 wonton wrappers in place of the biscuits.
- Place each in prepared muffin tin, add 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in each.
- 1 cup shredded lettuce, if desired
- 1 cup chopped tomato, if desired
- 1 cup sour cream, if desired
- 1cup salsa, if desired
- 1 cup shredded lettuce, if desired
- 1 cup chopped tomato, if desired
- 1 cup sour cream, if desired
- 1 Guacamole
- ½ cup jalapeños
- ½ cup cilantro
- 1 cup salsa, if desired
- Queso
Lauren Lane says
These come out perfect every time and are great for any gathering! And the customization is endless. Just add all your favorite toppings. So delicious!