Mini Taco Cups with Beef (Printable)

Crispy tortilla cups loaded with seasoned beef, melted cheddar, sour cream, and fresh toppings for a fun twist on tacos.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cups

01 - 12 small flour tortillas (6-inch) or 12 wonton wrappers

→ For the Filling

02 - 1/2 lb ground beef
03 - 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
06 - 1/3 cup tomato sauce

→ For the Toppings

07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
09 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
10 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
11 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives
12 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Cut tortillas into circles slightly larger than the muffin cups (about 4 inches diameter). Press each circle firmly into a muffin cup to form a shell. If using wonton wrappers, use one per cup.
03 - Bake the tortilla cups for 5-6 minutes until just starting to crisp. Remove from oven but keep in the tin.
04 - While cups bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Add chopped onion and garlic to the beef. Cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
06 - Spoon the beef mixture evenly into the pre-baked tortilla cups. Top each cup with shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Return to oven and bake for 7-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and cups are golden brown.
08 - Let cool for 2 minutes in the tin, then carefully remove taco cups using a small spatula or knife.
09 - Top each cup with a dollop of sour cream, diced tomatoes, cilantro, olives, and jalapeño slices as desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything you love about tacos but in adorable, portion-controlled packages that disappear in seconds
  • The perfect balance of crispy shell, seasoned meat, and melty cheese in every single bite
  • They look impressive but take about thirty minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • Do not skip the pre-bake step or you will end up with soggy, sad cups that fall apart when you try to remove them
  • Let the cups cool in the pan for at least two minutes or they will break when you try to lift them out
  • You can prep the filling a day ahead and just reheat it before assembling for even faster party prep
03 -
  • Use a biscuit cutter or small bowl to trace perfect circles from your tortillas for uniform cups
  • If the tortillas are not pliable, wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave for 20 seconds

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