Taco Cups

Taco cups are a delightful, bite-sized twist on traditional tacos. They’re easy to make and perfect for parties as a fun taco-inspired appetizer. This taco cups recipe features flaky crescent dough, seasoned beef, refried beans and plenty of cheese. Top the “tacos” with your favorite toppings for a customizable handheld treat that will be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients for Taco Cups

• Ground beef: The main protein source here, beef provides a rich, savory flavor and hearty texture, ideal for absorbing the taco seasoning.
• Onion: Chopped onions add a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the beef mixture.
• Taco seasoning: A convenient packet of spices brings flavorful taco flavors to the dish. It’s a quick way to season the ground beef. Take a look at our Test Kitchen’s favorite taco seasoning brands.
• Refried beans: Canned beans add a creamy texture and additional protein to the filling. Refried beans complement the beef and help bind the filling together.
• Crescent dough: Sheets of refrigerated crescent dough form the crispy, flaky cups that hold the filling. Seamless crescent dough is easy to work with and bakes into a deliciously golden crust.
• Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese is a classic taco topping that brings everything together, and shredded cheese melts beautifully over the taco cups, adding a gooey layer of flavor.
• Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, sliced olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and salsa add freshness, color and additional layers of flavor and texture. Of course you can customize your taco cups with any toppings you like.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the taco filling

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Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat for six to eight minutes or until the beef is no longer pink, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain the grease, then stir in the taco seasoning and refried beans until everything is heated through.

Editor’s Tip: Cook the beef mixture until it’s thick and not too watery to avoid soggy crescent dough bottoms.

Step 2: Prepare the crescent dough cups

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Unroll each tube of dough into a long rectangle. Cut each rectangle into 12 pieces, then gently press them onto the bottoms and up the sides of 24 ungreased muffin cups.

Step 3: Fill and bake

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Fill each muffin cup with 1 rounded tablespoon of beef mixture, then sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of cheese. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. Let the taco cups cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them. Serve with assorted toppings, as desired.

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Editor’s Tip: Offer a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their taco cups to their liking.

Taco Cup Variations

• Make them vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with a meatless ground beef alternative, or try this meatless lentil taco cups recipe, which uses flour tortillas instead of crescent dough.
• Swap in chicken instead: Use chopped boneless, skinless chicken thighs or cooked shredded chicken breasts instead of beef. Or try our chicken taco cups recipe.
• Up the spice level: For an extra kick, add diced jalapenos or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.

How to Store Taco Cups

Place cooled taco cups in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days. Reheat them in a 350° oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or in the microwave for a couple of minutes until heated through.

Can you freeze taco cups?

You can. Place the cooled taco cups on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to three months. Reheat frozen taco cups in a 350° oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until heated through.

Can you make taco cups in advance?

Yes, just assemble the taco cups and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve them, bake as directed.

Taco Cup Tips

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Can I use a different type of cheese for taco cups?

You can use any cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack or a Mexican cheese blend.

How can I make taco cups healthier?

Use lean ground beef, ground chicken or turkey, and opt for whole-wheat crescent dough. You can also add more vegetables like frozen peas, carrots and corn to the filling.

Can I use homemade taco seasoning?

Absolutely! Homemade taco seasoning allows you to control the ingredients and spice level to your preference.