Taco night is always a hit, but sometimes you want something a little different, right? These taco cups are the perfect solution! They’re fun, easy to make, and everyone gets their own individual portion.
I love making these for casual get-togethers, game day, or even just a weeknight dinner when I want something quick and satisfying. Plus, they are completely customizable to your liking.
Taco Cups Recipe Overview
These little cuties are basically mini taco salads baked in crispy wonton wrappers. Imagine all your favorite taco fillings, seasoned ground beef, cheese, and all the toppings, nestled in a crunchy, golden-brown cup.
They offer a great balance of textures and flavors. The wonton wrappers get nice and crispy in the oven, providing a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the savory, warm filling.
You can serve these as appetizers, a light meal, or even as part of a larger taco-themed spread. They’re great alongside some Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh salad.
Kids love them, and they’re also perfect for portion control.
Detailed Ingredients for Taco Cups
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious taco cups:
- 1 pound ground beef: I usually use 80/20 ground beef, but you can use leaner beef if you prefer. Just keep in mind that leaner beef might be a little drier.
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning: Your favorite brand will work perfectly!
- 1/2 cup water: This helps to create a saucy consistency for the meat mixture.
- 24 wonton wrappers: You can find these in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, usually near the tofu and other Asian ingredients.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Or use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or any cheese you like.
- Toppings of your choice: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, sliced olives, jalapenos, chopped cilantro – whatever your heart desires!
- Cooking spray: To prevent the wonton wrappers from sticking to the muffin tin.
If you don’t have wonton wrappers, you could try using small tortillas cut into circles, although the texture will be different. For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with black beans or lentils, seasoned with taco seasoning.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Best Taco Cups
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. This is important to make sure the wonton wrappers don’t stick.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease. This step is crucial for getting rid of extra fat and ensuring a flavorful filling.
- Season the Beef: Add the taco seasoning and water to the skillet with the browned beef. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. The water helps the seasoning distribute evenly and creates a nice sauce.
- Assemble the Cups: Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides to form a cup shape. You might need to overlap the corners a bit.
- Layer the Fillings: Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned beef mixture into each wonton cup. Then, sprinkle each cup with a layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake the Cups: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them – they can brown quickly!
- Add Toppings: Remove the taco cups from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before adding your favorite toppings. This prevents the toppings from wilting too much. Go wild with your creativity here!
- Serve and Enjoy: These are best enjoyed warm, while the wonton cups are nice and crispy.
Variations & Tips for Taco Cups Recipe
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the meat mixture for extra heat.
- Make it Ahead: You can prepare the seasoned beef mixture a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the cups (without baking) a few hours ahead of time, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. Add a minute or two to the baking time if baking from chilled.
- Storage: Leftover taco cups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the taco cups on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. The microwave can make the wonton wrappers soggy, so the oven is best for reheating.
- Serving Suggestion: set up topping bar for a more customizable experience.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 17 minutes
- Total time: 32 minutes
- Servings: 12 taco cups
- Equipment you’ll need: 12-cup muffin tin, large skillet
Taco Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Toppings of your choice: Shredded lettuce diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, sliced olives, jalapenos, chopped cilantro
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the taco seasoning and water to the skillet with the browned beef. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides to form a cup shape.
- Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned beef mixture into each wonton cup. Then, sprinkle each cup with a layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the taco cups from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before adding your favorite toppings.
- Serve and enjoy warm.
