Taco Phyllo Cups

Our Story

These are one of those appetizers that feel fun and effortless at the same time. Gab fills crispy little phyllo shells with seasoned taco beef and pepper jack, bakes them until melty, then drizzles everything with a quick lime ranch. We set them out warm and let everyone build their own with toppings, and they disappear fast because they are easy to grab and need no utensils. Perfect for game days or whenever people are coming over.

Quick Stats

• Serves: about 24 cups, 6 to 8 as an appetizer

• Prep: 10 min

• Cook: 15 min

• Total: 25 min

• Difficulty: 1 / 5

• Cost: $$

Ingredients

For the taco filling

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 package taco seasoning

• 1/2 cup water

For the lime ranch

• 3/4 cup ranch dressing

• Juice of 1/2 lime

For the shells and toppings

• 2 to 3 packages frozen miniature phyllo tart shells

• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

• Optional: chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, fresh minced cilantro

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.

3. Stir in the taco seasoning and water and cook until heated through.

4. In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing with the lime juice until smooth. Set aside.

5. Arrange the baked phyllo cups on a baking sheet. Fill each with taco meat and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese.

6. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

7. Drizzle with lime ranch and garnish with your favorite toppings. Serve warm while the shells are crisp.

Brands We Used and Love

• Siete Spicy Taco Seasoning

• Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Ranch Dressing, made with avocado oil

• Nordic Ware Insulated Baking Sheet

• Nambe Braid Wood Appetizer Serving Board with dipping bowl for the lime ranch

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The Dillon Scorecard

• AJ: 4.8 / 5

• Gab: 4.9 / 5

• Trey: Didnt try but helped Gab make It!

What We'd Change Next Time

Swap the ground beef for turkey if you want something lighter, and add sliced jalapenos before baking if you like extra heat. These are best eaten right away while the shells stay crisp, so bake them in batches if the party runs long. If you make them, tag us, Gab loves seeing how everyone tops theirs.

Estimated Nutrition

Per cup (1 of 24): roughly 75 calories, 5g protein, 4g carbohydrate, 4g fat before toppings. This is an estimate based on standard ingredient values and will shift with your cheese, ranch, and toppings.

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