Description
These Irresistibly Delicious Taco Ranch Bites are a perfect party appetizer or snack, combining seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing inside crispy phyllo tart shells. Ready in just 25 minutes, they offer a flavorful and easy-to-make treat that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Seasonings
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
Dairy & Sauces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (aged cheddar preferred)
- 1 bottle (8 oz) ranch dressing (or chipotle ranch for extra flavor)
Shelled Base
- 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 ensure it’s ready for baking the tart shells once filled.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the bites from being greasy.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and excess moisture to reduce.
- Mix Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese with the ranch dressing. Add the seasoned beef mixture and stir until everything is well coated and evenly distributed.
- Fill Tart Shells: Take the frozen phyllo tart shells and fill each one generously with the beef and cheese mixture, ensuring each shell is well packed.
- Bake: Place the filled tart shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes if the shells are fresh or 10-13 minutes if frozen, until the cheese melts and the shells turn golden and crispy.
Notes
- For extra flavor, substitute ranch dressing with chipotle ranch.
- Make sure to keep tart shells frozen until ready to fill to maintain their crispiness.
- Drain excess fat after cooking the beef to avoid soggy tart shell bases.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
