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Zesty Party Nibbles Cups Recipe

5 from 56 reviews

These Zesty Party Nibbles Cups are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing all baked in crispy phyllo pastry shells. Perfect for gatherings, these bite-sized treats combine bold flavors and satisfying textures that will delight your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

  • 450 grams lean ground beef
  • 28 grams taco seasoning mix
  • 285 grams canned chopped tomatoes with green chiles, including juice

Cheese Mixture

  • 200 grams grated cheddar cheese
  • 237 millilitres ranch dressing

Assembly

  • 75 frozen phyllo cup pastry shells

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven temperature to 180°C and allow it to fully preheat before baking to ensure even cooking of the phyllo cups.
  2. Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Brown the beef, breaking it into small crumbles until fully cooked through. Drain off any excess fat to keep the mixture lean.
  3. Incorporate Seasoning and Tomatoes: Add the taco seasoning mix and canned chopped tomatoes with green chiles, including their juice, to the cooked beef. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and reduce the liquid slightly.
  4. Combine Cheese and Ranch: In a mixing bowl, stir together the grated cheddar cheese and ranch dressing until fully combined, creating a creamy cheesy blend.
  5. Assemble the Mixture: Add the seasoned beef mixture into the cheese and ranch blend, mixing thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
  6. Fill the Phyllo Cups: Arrange the frozen phyllo pastry shells on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Fill each cup with about one tablespoon of the beef-cheese mixture, distributing it evenly.
  7. Bake to Finish: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the filling is bubbling hot.
  8. Serve: Remove the tray from the oven and allow the nibbles cups to cool slightly before serving warm to guests.

Notes

  • You can substitute the cheddar cheese with a sharper cheese like Monterey Jack or a blend for added flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
  • For a vegetarian alternative, replace the ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat substitute.
  • Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef to keep the filling from becoming greasy.
  • Serve these nibbles with extra ranch dressing or salsa on the side for dipping.

Keywords: party appetizer, phyllo cups, ground beef appetizer, cheesy beef cups, taco seasoned appetizer, easy party nibbles