Description
Crispy wonton wrappers cradle a zesty taco salad feast, bringing Mexican-inspired flavors to life in one irresistible bite. Layers of seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy toppings create a portable party starter that makes dining both fun and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 6 large flour tortillas
Produce:
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Dairy and Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly brush olive oil on the inside of a muffin tin to prepare for tortilla cups.
- Cut flour tortillas into circular shapes slightly larger than muffin cups, then gently press each tortilla into the tin, creating crispy edged cups.
- Bake tortilla cups for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp, then remove and set aside to cool.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and sprinkle taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, stirring thoroughly to coat meat evenly.
- Simmer seasoned beef for 3-4 minutes until flavors meld and mixture thickens slightly.
- Finely chop romaine lettuce, dice tomatoes and onions, and prepare fresh cilantro for layering.
- Assemble the taco salad cups by first adding a layer of crispy tortilla cup, then ground beef mixture.
- Top beef with shredded cheddar cheese, allowing residual heat to slightly melt the cheese.
- Add layers of chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and onions for fresh crunch.
- Garnish with black olives and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top.
- Dollop sour cream in the center and add a spoonful of salsa for extra zesty flavor.
- Serve immediately while tortilla cups remain crisp and beef is warm.
Notes
- Customize tortilla cups by using whole wheat or corn tortillas for a gluten-free or healthier alternative, ensuring they’re pressed gently to maintain a crispy texture.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining the classic taco salad flavor profile.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers to increase fiber and vegetable content, creating a more balanced and colorful dish.
- Prepare tortilla cups in advance and store in an airtight container to maintain crispiness, allowing for quick assembly when ready to serve or for meal prep convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg