Easy Taco Cups: Quick & Fun Meal (Print Version)

Whip up these easy taco cups for a quick and fun family dinner! Crispy tortilla shells filled with seasoned ground meat and your favorite taco toppings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mexican

# Ingredients:

→ The Crispy Shells

01 - 8 small (6-inch) flour tortillas

→ Savory Filling Foundation

02 - 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
03 - 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning mix
06 - 1/4 cup water
07 - 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh & Zesty Toppings

09 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
10 - 1 medium tomato, diced
11 - 1/2 cup light sour cream
12 - 1/2 cup mild salsa
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Press 8 small (6-inch) flour tortillas into the muffin cups, shaping them into cups. This forms the crispy shells for your Easy Taco Cups: Quick & Fun Meal.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb lean ground beef, breaking it apart. Drain excess fat. Add 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced, and 2 cloves garlic, minced. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in 2 tbsp taco seasoning mix and 1/4 cup water into the beef mixture. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, for the savory filling foundation.
04 - Spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly into the prepared tortilla cups. Top each cup with about 1 tbsp of 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese. This assembly is key for your Easy Taco Cups: Quick & Fun Meal.
05 - Bake the taco cups in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the tortilla edges are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Carefully remove from the muffin tin.
06 - While cups bake, prepare your fresh and zesty toppings. In separate bowls, have ready 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 1 medium tomato, diced, 1/2 cup light sour cream, 1/2 cup mild salsa, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped.
07 - Arrange the warm Easy Taco Cups: Quick & Fun Meal on a platter. Let everyone customize their cups with the prepared fresh toppings. These Easy Taco Cups: Quick & Fun Meal are perfect for a weeknight dinner or party appetizer.

# Notes:

01 - Feel free to swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Black beans can also be added for extra fiber.
02 - For extra crispy shells, bake the empty tortilla cups for 3-5 minutes before adding the filling. This helps them hold their shape better.
03 - The seasoned ground beef can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling the cups.
04 - Offer a variety of toppings like sliced jalapeños, guacamole, or corn salsa to let everyone personalize their taco cups even more.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Muffin tin
02 - Large skillet
03 - Cutting board
04 - Knife
05 - Measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 563 kcal
Total Fat: 31 g
Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
Protein: 33 g

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