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Crispy Taco Ranch Bites

Taco ranch bites in a complete dark round skillet on a bright marble surface, with crisp ruffled shells, seasoned meat filling, melted cheese, and fresh herb garnish visible across the full dish.
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Crispy Taco Ranch Bites are warm mini phyllo cups filled with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes with green chiles, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. They bake in 25 mins total and come out creamy, cheesy, and crisp around the edges, which makes them easy to serve for parties, game day, or snack dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, about 1 oz
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles, 10 oz, undrained
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 bottle ranch dressing, 8 oz
  • 5 packages frozen mini phyllo tart shells, 15 count each
  • Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
  • Extra ranch dressing, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbles, then drain the excess grease.
  2. Season the filling: Stir in the taco seasoning and undrained tomatoes with green chiles. Simmer for 5 to 7 mins, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and no loose liquid pools in the skillet.
  3. Add cheese and ranch: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the beef mixture cool for 2 to 3 mins. Stir in the shredded cheddar and ranch dressing until creamy and evenly mixed.
  4. Fill the shells: Heat the oven to 375°F. Arrange the frozen mini phyllo shells on rimmed baking sheets, then spoon the taco ranch filling into each shell.
  5. Bake until crisp: Bake for 8 to 10 mins, until the filling is hot, the cheese is melted, and the phyllo edges are golden. Let the bites rest for 2 mins, then garnish with cilantro and serve with extra ranch if desired.

Notes

Drain the beef well and simmer the tomato mixture until thick so the phyllo cups stay crisp.
For more heat, use hot taco seasoning or swap part of the cheddar for pepper jack.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 mins.

Nutrition

Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites

Find it online: https://thesavorymama.com/crispy-taco-ranch-bites/