These Beef Taco Tarts may be tiny but they have big flavor. This quick and easy beef taco recipe makes a great appetizer or snack.
This post is sponsored by The Beef Checkoff. As always, all opinions are my own.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe that will be devoured, you need to try these easy Beef Taco Tarts. They may be mini in size but there is a big flavored packed into each little tart. Every time I make them they get devoured.
What are Beef Taco Tarts?
If you like beef tacos, you are going to love these mini Beef Taco Tarts. These mini bites are loaded with all of your favorite taco flavors. The ground beef is seasoned with traditional Mexican flavors then piled into mini phyllo cups and topped with cheese. Then they are piled high with taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream – whatever you like.
How to Make Beef Tacos Tarts – Step by Step
- Cook ground beef: Add ground beef to a large skillet with diced onions and garlic and cook until browned. (Photo 1 below)
- Add taco sauce: Stir in prepared taco sauce. You can use hot or mild – whichever your family prefers. (Photo 2 below)
- Stir in cumin: Cumin adds a great Tex-Mex flavor to this recipe. (Photo 3 below)
- Season the meat: Stir in salt and pepper. (Photos 1 and 2 below)
- Prepare phyllo shells: Place frozen phyllo shells on a rimmed baking sheet. (Photo 3 below)
- Fill phyllo shells: Fill prepared phyllo shells with the beef mixture. (Photo 1 below)
- Top with shredded cheese: Place shredded Mexican blend cheese on top of the beef mixture and bake. (Photo 2 below)
- Add toppings: Top with your favorite taco garnishes, such as lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. (Photo 3 below)
Can you Make These Beef Taco Tarts Ahead of Time?
One of my favorite things about this easy recipe is that you can prepare them ahead of time. Simply make the beef mixture and fill the phyllo tarts. Then top with cheese. At this point, you can refrigerate the tarts to bake off at a later time or you can pop them in the freezer for longer storage.
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If you’re making these Beef Taco Tarts in advance, do not add the toppings until you are ready to serve. You can prep the toppings but keep them separate until you’re ready to bake and serve them.
What Kind of Ground Beef is Best in this Recipe?
I used ground chuck in this recipe. It was an 80/20 blend, which means that it is 80% lean with 20% fat. I’ve found that this type of ground beef has great flavor with a rich, beef-y texture.
Beef is also a nutrition power house. It has 10 essential vitamins and nutrients that we all need as part of a healthy diet. One serving of ground beef also has approximately half of the recommended daily serving of protein.
For example, a 3-ounce serving of cooked lean beef provides:
- Approximately 25 grams of protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, as well as helping you feel satisfied after meals
- About 44% of the daily value for Vitamin B12, involved in energy metabolism and brain function
- About 36% of the daily value for Zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system – important for back to school!
- About 12% of the daily value for Iron, which is key for transporting oxygen to your muscles
You can learn more about the nutritional benefits of beef here. It’s perfect for this hearty snack.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Beef Taco Tarts
Here are a few expert tips for making the best easy Beef Taco Tarts:
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Freeze Extras: Keep these delicious Beef Taco Tarts snacks on hand by freezing them. Simply prepare the Beef Taco Tarts to the point where you’re ready to bake them. Instead of baking, pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, simply bake as many as you’d like and top with your favorite taco toppings.
- Get Creative with Toppings: Lettuce, tomato and sour cream are classic, but you can also add guacamole, black olives, jalapenos or any of your other favorite taco toppings.
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Beef Taco Tarts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup prepared mild or medium taco sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 30 mini phyllo shells
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce, sliced grape or cherry tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, sliced ripe olives (as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef, onion and garlic in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally.
- Add taco sauce, cumin, salt and pepper; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is heated through.
- Place frozen phyllo shells on rimmed baking sheet.
- Spoon beef mixture evenly into shells; Top with cheese.
- Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until shells are crisp and cheese is melted.
- Top tarts with your favorite taco toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and olives, as desired.
Nice recipe
Thanks
Super easy to make! My kids LOVED these. Thanks for the recipe!
I absolutely love how convenient this is! And who doesn’t love tacos?
These beef taco tarts are my new favorite go-to party food recipe. This is so easy to make and they literally fly off the plate!! Thanks for a great recipe!
This sounds like a delicious Latin alternative to pizza rolls. What a yummy twist!
Oh my gosh, my mouth was watering from the very first picture! I am putting these on my menu for this week!
Love how convenient these are! Made them for a party and it was a hit.
What a fun recipe, and so cute. These are perfect for football Sunday!
Bite-sized tacos — genuis! Perfect party food. Thanks for the recipe!
This looks good and easy to make. Making this recipe this weekend.