How long it takes: 40 minutes (but only 20 minutes is hands-on) Equipment you’ll need: muffin tin, skillet Servings: makes 18 taco cups That’s how these taco cups were born, but whether or not you have a picky eater in the house (I have a VERY picky eater), you’re going to love them. Swapping the tortillas for wonton wrappers gives them an extra-crispy shell but the seasoned ground beef filling sticks with tradition—well, American taco tradition, at least. My family devours taco cups for dinner or a hearty snack but they’re also a great appetizer, especially for game day get-togethers. Serve taco cups alongside other Tex-Mex faves like guacamole and restaurant style salsa, both of which complement the taco cups and double as toppings!
Reasons To Love These Taco Cups
Highly customizable. Kids love any dinner where they can add their own toppings and this is a big part of the appeal of these taco cups. Set up a topping bar on the countertop and let your kids go to town! Easy to make. These taco cups require just 20 minutes of hands-on time so they’re fantastic for weeknight dinners. The ingredient list for them is short, too. If you make chicken enchiladas verde for dinner the next night, you can get two meals out of the toppings you buy! Super crispy. My original version of this taco cups recipe used tortillas, but I realized that swapping in wonton wrappers resulted in a much crispier shell. Bonus: Wonton wrappers are exactly the right size so there’s no trimming or cutting.
Ingredient Notes
Refer to the recipe card below for specific measurements, instructions, and nutrition information in a printable format.
Wonton Wrappers: You can usually find these in the grocery store refrigerated case near the tofu. This case is often in the produce section. Ground Meat: You can use either lean ground beef or ground turkey. Diced Tomatoes With Green Chiles: A common brand name you may be familiar with is Ro-Tel. This adds zippy flavor and makes the seasoned taco filling a bit saucier. Taco Seasoning: Buy a packet or use homemade taco seasoning. Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese: You can use any cheese you like or happen to have in your fridge for topping your tacos. Toppings: Shredded lettuce, sliced scallions, diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado, etc. Anything you put on tacos is good on taco cups too! Pickled red onions are always a good choice!
How To Make Taco Cups
Prep shells. Preheat your oven to 375ºF and coat a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Place a wonton wrapper in each cup of the muffin pan. Prep filling. Brown the meat in a skillet, breaking it up into crumbles as you go; this should take about 10 minutes. Drain the grease, if needed. Stir in the tomatoes and taco seasoning, then continue to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove the meat mixture from the heat and stir in 1 cup of cheese. Fill cups. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture on top of each wonton. Add a second wonton on top and press down. Divide the remaining filling over the second wonton layer. Top with cheese. Sprinkle each cup with the remaining cheese. Bake until crispy. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the wonton wrapper is crispy around the edges. Remove the taco cups from the muffin tin and add your favorite toppings!
Recipe Variations
Use tortillas. Cut tortillas into 4-inch rounds with a biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter. Press them into muffin tins. Instead of doing a double layer, divide the filling evenly between the cups. Make vegetarian taco cups. Make the recipe as written, but swap in your favorite plant-based meat for the ground meat. Instant Pot refried beans or even canned refried beans are another option. Try mini taco cups. For bite-sized appetizers, trim down the wonton wrappers and make these in a mini muffin tin.
What To Serve With Taco Cups
Tex-Mex sides: Try cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, or Instant Pot corn on the cob with southwest spice blend. Homemade salsas: A tasty topping for any taco recipe! I love this black bean corn salsa with ground beef tacos but chipotle salsa is fantastic too. Simple salads: Mango slaw or black bean avocado salad both pair well with Tex-Mex flavors. Go-along appetizers: For a southwestern-themed get-together, serve taco cups along with stuffed mini sweet peppers (like jalapeño poppers without the heat), Mexicali dip, jalapeño popper dip, or my ultimate 7 layer dip.
Make Ahead Ideas
Prepare the filling up to 2 days ahead of time, then assemble and bake the taco cups when you’re ready.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store leftover taco cups (store toppings separately) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They won’t be as crispy but they’ll still be delicious! Reheat leftover taco cups in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, or in the air fryer or microwave. Add desired toppings. Quick-Start Guide!
