Picture this: it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, and you’re craving something that’s both crunchy and bursting with flavor. Enter the easy crunchy taco cups, perfect for those spur-of-the-moment cravings or when you’re just tired of the same old snacks. They’re like a fiesta in a bite, bringing a bit of that street market vibe straight to your kitchen—no plane ticket required!
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Season the beef with taco seasoning and salt if needed, cooking for 4-5 minutes until browned. Mix in drained petite diced tomatoes.
- Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Press a wonton wrapper into the base of each muffin cup.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of the cooked meat mixture to each cup and sprinkle with approximately 2 teaspoons of shredded cheese.
- Add a second wonton wrapper on top of the cheese layer, followed by the remaining meat and cheese.
- Bake the taco cups for 10-15 minutes until the wonton edges are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- After baking, top each taco cup with a small amount of sour cream, diced fresh tomatoes, and sliced green onions before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- 1 can (14 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup diced fresh tomatoes
- Cooking spray
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2184kcal | Carbohydrates: 108g | Protein: 144g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 60g | Cholesterol: 516mg | Sodium: 2700mg | Potassium: 1896mg | Vitamin A: 2580IU | Vitamin C: 2.4mg | Calcium: 1284mg | Iron: 18mg
FAQ
- Can I substitute the ground beef with another type of meat?
- Yes, you can use 93% lean ground turkey as a substitute for the ground beef in this recipe.
- What type of tomatoes should I use?
- It’s recommended to use canned petite diced tomatoes to avoid having large chunks of tomato in your taco cups.
- Can I make these taco cups ahead of time?
- While it’s best to serve them fresh, you can prepare the meat mixture in advance and assemble the taco cups just before baking.
- What are some suggested toppings for the taco cups?
- Popular toppings include sour cream, diced fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced olives, and minced red onion.
- Are these taco cups suitable for a party?
- Absolutely! These taco cups are great for feeding a crowd and are perfect for occasions like birthday parties, Taco Tuesday, or any event where you’d like to serve a fun and tasty appetizer.
Tips
- Opt for petite diced tomatoes to ensure a smoother texture and avoid large tomato chunks in your taco cups.
- Consider substituting 93% lean ground turkey for the beef if you’re looking for a lighter option with similar flavor.
- Use cooking spray to coat the muffin tin to prevent the wonton wrappers from sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Experiment with different toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or sliced olives to customize the flavor to your liking.
Equipment
- Muffin tin (12-cup)
- Cooking spray
