Taco Ranch Bites
These bite-sized Taco Ranch Bites are made with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and diced tomatoes with green chiles baked in crispy phyllo tart shells. They're perfect for parties, game day, or an easy make-ahead appetizer.
Equipment
- 12-inch non-stick skillet
- meat masher tool
- mixing bowls
- rotary cheese grater
- rimmed baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 10 oz diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz ranch dressing
- 75 frozen phyllo tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Mix the shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and taco meat until evenly combined.
- Spoon the taco mixture into the frozen phyllo tart shells. Freeze at this stage if making ahead.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. If baking from frozen, add 2–3 additional minutes. Serve warm.
Notes
Freeze the filled, unbaked tart shells for a quick appetizer later. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes to the baking time. Frozen phyllo tart shells are typically found in the freezer section near the puff pastry. Homemade taco seasoning also works well in place of the packet.