Taco Ranch Bites Recipe
Taco Ranch Bites are savory, bite-sized appetizers combining seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and a creamy blend of cheddar cheese and ranch dressing, all nestled in crispy phyllo tart shells. Perfect for parties or game day snacks, these flavorful bites are easy to assemble and bake, delivering a delicious fusion of Tex-Mex flavors with a creamy ranch twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 75 taco ranch bites (5 packs x 15 shells each) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (preferably lean)
- 1 oz packet taco seasoning (premium brand)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Cheese & Dressing Mixture
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (preferably aged for richer flavor)
- 8 oz bottle premium Ranch dressing
Shells
- 5 packs of 15-count frozen phyllo tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the tart shells evenly and thoroughly.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked with no pink remaining. Drain off any excess fat to keep the mixture from being greasy.
- Add Seasoning: Stir the taco seasoning into the cooked beef. Then pour in the diced tomatoes and green chiles with their juices. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove it from heat.
- Prepare Mixture: In a separate bowl, blend the shredded cheddar cheese with the ranch dressing until evenly combined. Add this creamy mixture to the warm taco meat and stir well to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Assemble Tarts: Carefully spoon the taco and cheese mixture into the frozen phyllo tart shells, filling each shell generously but without overflowing. If you want to prepare these ahead of time, now is an optimal moment to freeze the filled tart shells for later use.
- Bake: Arrange the filled tart shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges of the phyllo shells are golden and crisp. If baking from frozen, increase the bake time by 2-3 minutes to ensure thorough heating.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat in the mixture.
- If you prefer a spicier bite, choose a spicy taco seasoning or add some chopped jalapeños.
- Phyllo tart shells are delicate, handle them carefully to avoid breakage.
- The assembled bites can be frozen before baking; add a few extra minutes to cook time when baking from frozen.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites, phyllo tart appetizers, Tex-Mex appetizers, ground beef appetizers, party snacks, game day bites
Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/taco-ranch-bites-recipe/
