Description
These Easy Taco Cups are a delicious and fun twist on traditional tacos, featuring crispy wonton wrappers filled with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for parties, appetizers, or a quick weeknight meal, they bake to golden perfection and can be topped with your favorite garnishes like sour cream and guacamole.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 24 wonton wrappers (2 per cup)
- 1 lb ground beef (90/10 lean)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ white onion, diced
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté onions: Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced white onion and cook until soft and tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomatoes: Pour in the drained diced tomatoes. Continue cooking and stirring until most of the liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Assemble the taco cups: Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup, pressing gently to form a cup shape. Sprinkle a small layer of shredded cheddar cheese over each wrapper, then add a second wonton wrapper on top, gently pressing it down to adhere to the cheese layer.
- Fill with beef mixture: Spoon approximately one tablespoon of the cooked beef mixture into each wonton cup. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top of each cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 17 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden and crispy and the cheese has fully melted. Check around 10 minutes to avoid burning as ovens vary.
- Cool and remove: Once baked, run a sharp knife around the edges of each taco cup to loosen them from the tin. Carefully lift each cup out.
- Garnish and serve: Add your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, or fresh diced tomatoes. Serve immediately for best taste and crunch.
Notes
- Once removed from the tin, taco cups will crisp up further as they cool, enhancing their texture.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for best flavor and lower fat content.
- Drain canned tomatoes well to prevent soggy cups.
- You can double the recipe to make more cups for larger gatherings.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
