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Taco Ranch Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 86 reviews

Taco Ranch Bites are delicious, bite-sized appetizers featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with diced tomatoes and green chiles, blended with creamy ranch dressing and shredded cheddar cheese, all baked inside crispy phyllo tart shells. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual gatherings, these savory bites combine classic taco flavors with a creamy ranch twist for an irresistible snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

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

Cheese and Dressing

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

Shells

  • 5 packs of 15-count frozen phyllo tart shells

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking the assembled tart shells later.
  2. Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the mixture lean.
  3. Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet thoroughly, then pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes and green chiles with their juices. Mix well and reduce heat to a simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat afterwards.
  4. Prepare Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and Ranch dressing until well mixed. Fold this creamy mixture into the cooked taco meat until evenly combined.
  5. Assemble Tarts: Carefully spoon the taco meat and cheese mixture into each frozen phyllo tart shell, filling them generously. If you want to store them for later, place assembled tarts in the freezer now before baking.
  6. Bake: Arrange the filled tart shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. If baking from frozen, increase the bake time by 2-3 minutes to ensure the filling is heated through and the phyllo shells are crisp.

Notes

  • To save time, prepare the taco meat mixture ahead and refrigerate or freeze filled tarts for later baking.
  • Using aged cheddar cheese boosts the flavor depth of the bites.
  • Drain cooked beef well to avoid soggy shells.
  • Customize by adding chopped jalapeños or olives to the taco mixture for extra zest.
  • Bake on the middle rack of your oven to promote even browning of the phyllo shells.

Keywords: taco bites, ranch appetizer, phyllo tart, ground beef appetizer, game day snacks, party finger food, Tex-Mex appetizers

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