Taco Cups Ground Beef Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Savory mini taco cups with seasoned beef and melted cheese in crispy tortilla shells, perfect for gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean recommended

→ Seasoning & Flavor

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

→ Tortilla Base

06 - 12 small flour tortillas, 6-inch rounds or street taco size

→ Cheese & Toppings

07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend (6 ounces)
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 your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Using a round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass, cut each tortilla into circles that fit snugly into the muffin tin cups. Press each tortilla 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 to 2 tablespoons of seasoned beef mixture into each tortilla cup. Top each cup with a spoonful of salsa and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
06 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or 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 on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything you love about tacos in handheld form that actually stays neat while eating
  • The crispy edges against soft seasoned beef create the most satisfying texture contrast
02 -
  • Letting the beef mixture cool slightly before filling prevents tortillas from getting soggy before they hit the oven heat
  • Pressing the tortillas really firmly into the muffin cups creates that sturdy shell that holds everything together
03 -
  • Use the rim of a drinking glass to cut tortillas if you do not have cookie cutters handy
  • Gluten free tortillas work but check them after 8 minutes since they can brown faster