Description
Taco Ranch Bites are delightful, bite-sized appetizers combining seasoned ground beef, tangy ranch dressing, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and melted cheddar cheese nestled in flaky phyllo tart shells. Perfect for parties or snacks, these savory treats bake quickly and offer a flavorful southwestern twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Cheese and Dressing
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (8-oz) bottled ranch dressing
Base
- 5 (15-count) frozen phyllo tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the tart shells with the filling.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat to keep the bites less greasy.
- Season Beef: Add the taco seasoning and the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chiles to the cooked beef. Stir well and cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat.
- Combine Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked taco meat mixture with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 8 oz bottled ranch dressing until evenly mixed.
- Fill Tart Shells: Spoon the taco meat mixture evenly into the frozen phyllo tart shells. At this point, you may freeze the filled tart shells for future use if desired.
- Bake: Place filled tart shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and edges are lightly golden. If baking from frozen, increase baking time by 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Drain the cooked beef thoroughly to prevent soggy tart shells.
- The frozen filled tart shells can be frozen for up to 1 month before baking.
- For a spicier bite, add extra jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Use full-fat cheddar cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
