Description
Culinary magic meets Mexican-inspired “fancy taco cupcakes” in this playful twist on classic street fare. Bold flavors and creative presentation invite you to savor each delightful bite of this unexpected crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Crust and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 cup salsa
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C), preparing a standard muffin tin for assembly.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned, eliminating any excess fat.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and salsa into the meat mixture, simmering for 5 minutes to develop robust flavors.
- Carefully stretch each biscuit dough into the muffin cups, molding them to create sturdy edible shells that reach the sides and bottom.
- Distribute the seasoned meat mixture evenly across each biscuit cup, ensuring consistent filling.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the meat-filled cups, creating a melty topping.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until biscuit edges turn golden and cheese becomes completely melted and slightly bubbly.
- Let the taco cupcakes rest for 3-5 minutes before removing from the tin to allow structural stability and easier serving.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian option.
- Cut down on salt by using low-sodium taco seasoning and selecting reduced-sodium black beans to maintain flavor while being heart-healthy.
- Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or zucchini to the meat mixture, boosting vegetable intake without changing the core recipe’s taste.
- Create make-ahead potential by preparing the beef mixture in advance and storing it in the refrigerator, which saves time during busy weeknights and allows flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg