Zesty Party Nibbles Cups Recipe
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.
- Author: Amy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 75 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the Mixture: Add the seasoned beef mixture into the cheese and ranch blend, mixing thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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