Description
These Mini Taco Cups with Cheddar are a fun and easy appetizer or snack featuring seasoned ground beef baked inside crispy wonton wrappers topped with melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re perfect for parties, game day, or quick bites.
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Cups and Topping
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 12 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and position the oven rack in the center to ensure even baking of the mini taco cups.
- Cook Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly until no pink remains. Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water, then reduce the heat to medium. Stir the mixture and cook until the water has fully evaporated and the meat is evenly coated with seasoning.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking. Place two wonton wrappers into each muffin cup, gently pressing them so the edges rise up and form little cups.
- Assemble Taco Cups: Spoon approximately 3 tablespoons of the seasoned ground beef into each wonton cup. Then top each cup with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake the taco cups for about 10 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers turn lightly golden and the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve and Garnish: Carefully remove the mini taco cups from the muffin tin. Garnish with your favorite taco-inspired toppings such as sour cream, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider stirring in some chopped onions or garlic when browning the ground beef.
- Wonton wrappers can be found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores or in Asian markets.
- These cups can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Substitute cheddar with Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for different flavor variations.
- For a crispier cup, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
