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Taco Ranch Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 71 reviews

These Taco Ranch Bites are a delicious and easy appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and creamy Ranch dressing baked in crispy phyllo tart shells. Perfect for parties or snacks, they combine bold Tex-Mex flavors with the cool tanginess of Ranch for a crowd-pleasing bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

  • 1 lb ground beef (preferably lean)
  • 1 oz packet taco seasoning (premium brand)
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained

Dairy Mixture

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (preferably aged for richer flavor)
  • 8 oz bottle premium Ranch dressing

Assembly

  • 5 packs of 15-count frozen phyllo tart shells

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the tart shells.
  2. Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat to keep the mixture lean and prevent greasiness.
  3. Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet into the cooked beef, then add the canned diced tomatoes and green chiles (with juices). Mix thoroughly and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors before removing from heat.
  4. Prepare Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and Ranch dressing until well mixed. Add this creamy mixture to the cooked taco meat, stirring to incorporate evenly for a deliciously tangy and cheesy filling.
  5. Assemble Tarts: Carefully spoon the taco meat and cheese mixture into each frozen phyllo tart shell. Arrange the filled shells on a baking sheet. If you are not baking immediately, you can freeze the assembled tarts at this stage for later use.
  6. Bake: Place the filled tart shells in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges of the phyllo shells are golden and crispy. If baking from frozen, increase the bake time by 2-3 minutes to ensure they are heated through thoroughly.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
  • You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Use aged cheddar for a richer flavor, or experiment with pepper jack cheese for added heat.
  • Assembling the tarts ahead of time and freezing them makes for a convenient make-ahead appetizer.
  • Phyllo tart shells are delicate; handle them carefully to avoid cracking.

Keywords: Taco Ranch Bites, appetizer, phyllo tart shells, ground beef, taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, Ranch dressing, party snacks, Tex-Mex

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/taco-ranch-bites-recipe/