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A close-up of perfectly crispy baked flour tortilla cups filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese, topped with sour cream, lettuce, and diced tomatoes on a rustic serving platter.

Crispy Cheesy Taco Cups

These little baked taco cups are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Made in a simple muffin tin, they are the perfect mess-free meal for taco night or a quick family dinner.
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Ingredients
  

  • 8 Small flour tortillas
  • 1 lb Ground beef 80/20 or 85/15 blend
  • 1 packet Taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Tomatoes finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Lettuce shredded
  • 1/4 cup Sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease 8 cups of a standard metal muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • If your tortillas are large, use a wide cutter or glass rim to cut them into smaller 4-inch circles. Warm them slightly in the microwave so they are pliable, then press one into each greased muffin cup to form a bowl.
  • Bake the empty tortilla cups for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden and firm. Remove and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a stainless steel spatula. Drain any excess grease.
  • Add the taco seasoning packet and the water to the beef. Stir well and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Spoon the hot seasoned beef evenly into the pre-baked tortilla cups. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the meat.
  • Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the tortilla edges are crispy.
  • Remove from the oven. Top each cup with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately!

Notes

re-baking the empty tortillas is essential. If you skip this, the bottoms of your cups will be soggy.
Drain your ground beef thoroughly to prevent grease from soaking into the baked shells.
Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to maintain the crispy crust; avoid the microwave.