Description
Taco Ranch Bites are savory, crowd-pleasing appetizers featuring seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chiles, shredded cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing, all nestled in crisp phyllo tart shells and baked to perfection. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, game days, or any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 oz packet premium brand taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded aged cheddar cheese
- 8 oz bottle premium Ranch dressing
Shells
- 5 packs of 15-count frozen phyllo tart shells
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the tarts.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the bites from being greasy.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet, then add the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (with their juices). Mix well and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat afterward.
- Prepare Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and the bottle of Ranch dressing thoroughly. Then, mix this cheesy ranch blend into the cooked taco meat until evenly incorporated.
- Assemble Tarts: Spoon the taco meat mixture carefully into each frozen phyllo tart shell. If you are not baking immediately, you can freeze the assembled tarts to bake later.
- Bake: Place the stuffed tarts on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the shells are crisp. If baking from frozen, increase bake time by 2–3 minutes to ensure thorough heating.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and grease in the final dish.
- For extra heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning.
- These bites can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking for convenient serving later.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Substitute the Ranch dressing with a spicy chipotle ranch for a smoky twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: taco bites, ranch appetizer, phyllo tart recipe, party snacks, cheese and beef bites
