Taco Cups Ground Beef Cheese (Printable version)

Crispy tortilla cups filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, ideal for gatherings.

# What you need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)

→ Seasoning & Flavor

02 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
03 - 1/3 cup water
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp onion powder

→ Tortilla Base

06 - 12 small flour tortillas (6-inch rounds)

→ Cheese & Toppings

07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
08 - 1/2 cup salsa (plus extra for serving)
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
10 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)
11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Using a round cookie cutter or glass rim, cut each tortilla into circles that fit snugly into muffin tin cups. Press each circle into a cup, folding edges as needed to fit.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking up with a spoon for 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and water to the beef. Stir well and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - Spoon about 1 1/2–2 tablespoons of seasoned beef mixture into each tortilla cup. Top each with a spoonful of salsa and generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
06 - Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden and crispy.
07 - Remove from oven and let cool for 2–3 minutes before removing cups from tin. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and cilantro if desired. Serve warm with extra salsa.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Everything you love about tacos transforms into adorable, portion-controlled cups that are impossible to put down
  • The crispy tortilla edges and gooey cheese center create this perfect texture contrast nobody can resist
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the beef after cooking, or the bottom of your tortilla cups will get soggy
  • Let them cool for those few minutes in the muffin tin or the cups will fall apart when you try to remove them
03 -
  • Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds before cutting them to prevent cracking
  • Use a kitchen scissors to trim larger tortillas instead of trying to cut them with a knife

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