Taco Cups Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 can (15 oz) black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
• 12–16 tortilla scoops or small flour tortillas cut into circles

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Diced tomatoes
• Green onions
• Shredded lettuce
• Salsa
• Avocado

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the beef:
   • Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Drain excess fat.
   • Stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
   • Mix in the beans.
3. Prepare the cups:
   • Place tortilla scoops in a greased muffin tin or press tortilla circles into muffin cups to form bowls.
4. Fill:
   • Spoon beef-and-bean mixture into each cup.
   • Top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake:
   • Bake 10–15 minutes, until cups are crisp and cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve:
   • Cool slightly, add desired toppings, and enjoy.

Tips

• For extra crisp cups, lightly spray tortillas with oil before baking.
• Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
• Make ahead: bake, cool, refrigerate, then reheat at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
  

  Serving Information

  • Yield: 12–16 taco cups
  • Serving Size: 2 taco cups
  • Servings: 6–8

  Approx. Nutrition (per 2 cups, using beef + cheddar):

  • Calories: ~320–360
  • Protein: ~18–22 g
  • Carbs: ~22–28 g
  • Fat: ~18–22 g
    (Varies by tortilla type, cheese, and toppings)

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   Nut Information

  • Naturally Nut-Free if using standard tortillas, beef, beans, and cheese
  • Check Labels on:
    • Taco seasoning (some contain nut traces)
    • Tortilla scoops (may be processed in shared facilities)
  • Becomes NOT Nut-Free if topped with:
    • Avocado (not a tree nut, but allergen-sensitive for some)
    • Nut-based sauces or oils

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   Q & A

  Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
  A: Yes. Bake, cool completely, refrigerate up to 3 days, and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.

  Q: Can I freeze taco cups?
  A: Yes—freeze without fresh toppings for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen at 375°F until hot.

  Q: How do I make them healthier?
  A: Use lean ground turkey/chicken, reduced-fat cheese, and whole-wheat or low-carb tortillas.

  Q: Can I make them gluten-free?
  A: Yes—use certified gluten-free tortilla scoops or corn tortillas and check seasoning labels.

  Q: Can I make them vegetarian?
  A: Absolutely. Swap beef for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or extra beans with taco seasoning.

  Q: Why are my cups soggy?
  A: Pre-bake tortillas for 5 minutes before filling, and don’t overfill with wet toppings.