Description
Taco ranch bites make a fun Mexican-inspired appetizer with crunchy tortilla shells, seasoned beef, and creamy ranch. They’re quick to serve at parties or game nights, offering plenty of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (preferably aged for richer flavor)
- 1 8 fl oz bottle ranch dressing (premium quality)
- 1 lb ground beef (preferably lean)
- 1 10 fl oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
- 1 1 oz package taco seasoning (premium brand)
- 5 sets of (15-count frozen phyllo tart shells)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF, ensuring the cooking environment is ready for the taco ranch bites.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, thoroughly cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess fat completely.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat, then add diced tomatoes and green chiles. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, blending flavors intensely.
- In a separate bowl, fold shredded cheddar cheese with Ranch dressing until smooth and well-integrated.
- Merge the seasoned meat with the cheese-ranch mixture, creating a cohesive filling.
- Carefully spoon the combined mixture into frozen phyllo tart shells, distributing evenly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the shells are golden and the filling is bubbly.
- For frozen bites, extend baking time by 2-3 minutes to ensure complete heating throughout.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving to prevent burning.
Notes
- Make phyllo shells ahead by baking them briefly for extra crispiness before filling.
- Drain ground beef completely to prevent soggy tart shells and maintain a crisp texture.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier protein alternatives.
- Consider adding fresh chopped cilantro or green onions on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 431 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg