Description
These Irresistibly Delicious Taco Ranch Bites are perfect for any gathering, combining seasoned ground beef, tangy ranch dressing, and melted cheddar cheese in crispy phyllo tart shells. Ready in just 25 minutes, they offer a flavorful bite-sized appetizer that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (aged cheddar preferred)
- 1 bottle (8 oz) ranch dressing (or chipotle ranch for extra flavor)
Tart Shells
- 5 packages (15 count each) frozen phyllo tart shells (keep frozen until ready to fill)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the taco ranch bites.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep the bites light.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Mix Cheese and Dressing: In a bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese with the ranch dressing, then mix in the seasoned beef until everything is well coated.
- Fill Tart Shells: Fill each frozen phyllo tart shell generously with the beef and cheese mixture.
- Bake: Bake the filled shells in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes if they are fresh, or 10-13 minutes if frozen, until the cheese is melted and the shells turn crispy and golden.
Notes
- Use aged cheddar for a richer cheese flavor.
- Chipotle ranch dressing adds a smoky kick if desired.
- Keep tart shells frozen until right before filling for best texture.
- Drain excess fat from beef to avoid soggy tart shells.
- Adjust baking time based on whether tart shells are fresh or frozen.
