Name: Easy Beef Taco Cups - Quick & Delicious Weeknight Meal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 taco cups
Ingredients: 24 wonton wrappers; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained; 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese; ½ of a white onion, diced; 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, additional diced tomatoes

Easy Taco Cups are about to become your new weeknight culinary obsession. Imagin extracte a delightful explosion of savory ground beef, zesty taco seasonings, and gooey melted cheese, all nestled within a perfectly crisp mini taco shell. It’s no wonder these little flavor bombs have captured hearts and taste buds everywhere. They offer all the beloved flavors of a classic taco but in a fun, bite-sized, and incredibly convenient format. What truly sets these easy taco cups apart is their sheer versatility and the sheer joy they bring to any table. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, packing lunches for picky eaters, or simply craving a satisfying and uncomplicated meal, these cups deliver. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, delivering big on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen, making them the ultimate weeknight savior.

Ingredients:

24 wonton wrappers (this will make 12 taco cups, using two wrappers per cup)
1 lb. ground beef (I prefer 90/10 for a good balance of flavor and not too much grease)
1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ of a white onion, diced
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, additional diced tomatoes, etc.

Preparing the Taco Filling

Sautéing the Aromatics and Browning the Beef

The first step to creating these delightful Easy Taco Cups is to get our flavorful filling started. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. As the beef cooks, any excess fat will render out. If there’s a significant amount of grease, you can carefully drain most of it off, leaving just a little bit in the pan to help sauté the onion.

Now, add the diced white onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. The sweetness of the softened onion will meld beautifully with the savory beef.

Building the Flavor Profile

It’s time to infuse our taco filling with those classic taco spices! Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder directly over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices. This blooming process really intensifies their aroma and flavor, making a big difference in the final taste of your taco cups.

Next, add the drained petite diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir everything together. These little bursts of tomato add a touch of moisture and a bright, slightly acidic counterpoint to the rich beef and spices. Finally, season with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Give it one last good stir to combine everything. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. This also helps to thicken up any excess liquid.

Assembling the Easy Taco Cups

Prepping the Wonton Wrappers for Baking

While the taco filling is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). You’ll need a standard 12-cup muffin tin for this recipe. For each taco cup, you’ll be using two wonton wrappers. Lightly brush the inside of each muffin cup with a little bit of cooking spray or a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Take one wonton wrapper and gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of a greased muffin cup. It will crinkle a bit, and that’s perfectly fine – it adds to the rustic charm of these easy taco cups. Then, take a second wonton wrapper and place it over the first one, pressing it down to form a double-layered base and sides in the muffin cup. This double layer is crucial for structural integrity, ensuring your taco cups hold their shape and their delicious filling without becoming soggy. Repeat this process for all 12 muffin cups.

Filling and Baking the Taco Cups

Once the muffin tin is filled with your double-layered wonton wrappers, it’s time to add the star of the show: the taco filling. Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef and tomato mixture into each wonton-lined muffin cup. Aim to fill them about two-thirds of the way full. Try to distribute the filling as evenly as possible among the 12 cups.

Now, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the filling in each taco cup. The cheese will melt into a gooey, delicious blanket, helping to bind everything together and adding that classic cheesy taco flavor. Place the muffin tin into your preheated oven.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy around the edges, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking, as wonton wrappers can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. If you notice some edges browning faster than others, you can gently tent them with a piece of foil. The goal is a beautifully crisp, edible cup holding all that savory goodness.

Cooling and Serving Your Easy Taco Cups

Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the muffin tin from the oven. Let the taco cups cool in the muffin tin for about 5-10 minutes. This is a critical step as it allows them to set up slightly, making them much easier to remove without breaking. After they’ve cooled slightly, gently loosen the edges of each taco cup with a small offset spatula or a butter knife, then carefully lift them out of the muffin tin. Place them on a serving platter.

Now for the best part: the toppings! Offer a variety of optional toppings like a dollop of cool sour cream, creamy guacamole, fresh chopped cilantro, or additional diced tomatoes. Let everyone customize their own Easy Taco Cups to their liking. These are best served warm, so enjoy them immediately!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – your very own batch of Easy Taco Cups! We hope you enjoyed creating and devouring these delightful bites as much as we did. This recipe truly simplifies the taco experience, making it accessible for any weeknight dinner or a fun gathering with friends. The crispy wonton wrapper shell paired with the savory ground meat and all your favorite toppings is a winning combination that’s sure to please everyone.

These Easy Taco Cups are incredibly versatile. Serve them up as a fun appetizer, a light lunch, or a main course alongside a fresh green salad or some Mexican rice. Get creative with your fillings – try shredded chicken or seasoned black beans for a different spin. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses and toppings to make them uniquely yours. We encourage you to try this recipe and share the joy of these delicious, bite-sized tacos with your loved ones!

Frequently Asked Questions about Easy Taco Cups:

Can I make the taco filling ahead of time?

Absolutely! The seasoned ground meat filling for your Easy Taco Cups can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before assembling your cups. This is a great way to save time on busy evenings.

What other kinds of shells can I use for Easy Taco Cups?

While wonton wrappers bake up beautifully and create a perfect cup shape, you can also try using mini phyllo shells or even baking tortillas in a muffin tin to create a similar cup shape. Just adjust baking times as needed, as different shells will have varying cooking requirements.