Crispy Enchilada Cups Recipe: A Fun Twist on Taco Night

Enchilada cups upgrade the classic Mexican dish into a bite-sized marvel that revolutionizes dinner traditions.

These compact culinary creations pack intense flavor into a convenient, handheld format that eliminates messy eating challenges.

Crispy tortilla shells cradle robust fillings, delivering a perfect balance of texture and taste in every delectable bite.

Compact and crowd-pleasing, these miniature delights work brilliantly for gatherings, game nights, or spontaneous family meals.

Layers of seasoned proteins, melted cheese, and zesty sauces combine to create a mouthwatering experience that feels both familiar and innovative.

Versatile ingredients allow you to customize these cups with your favorite proteins, vegetables, and spice levels.

Small in size but massive in impact, enchilada cups represent a modern twist on traditional comfort food.

Why These Enchilada Cups Are Perfect for Parties

• Craft Quick Handheld Meals: These enchilada cups transform traditional enchiladas into portable, bite-sized portions perfect for parties, game nights, or casual dinners with minimal mess and maximum flavor.
• Enjoy Layered Texture Adventure: Crispy tortilla shells provide a satisfying crunch while the soft, seasoned beef mixture and melted cheese create a delightful contrast that keeps every bite interesting and delicious.
• Customize with Endless Toppings: The simple base recipe allows for incredible personalization, letting home cooks add their favorite garnishes like fresh herbs, spicy jalapeños, creamy sour cream, or zesty avocado slices to suit individual taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Enchilada Cups

• Tortillas: Soft, pliable corn or flour tortillas that will create a crispy cup shape with a golden texture..
• Ground Beef: Lean protein that provides rich, savory flavor for the filling and forms the main component of the dish..

• Enchilada Sauce: Zesty, traditional Mexican-style sauce that adds deep, tangy flavor to the beef mixture..
• Taco Seasoning: Spice blend that brings warm, complex southwestern taste to the meat..

• Black Beans: Hearty, protein-packed legumes that add texture and nutritional value to the filling..
• Corn: Sweet, tender kernels that provide color and mild sweetness to the mixture..
• Jalapeños: Spicy peppers that offer a kick of heat and authentic Mexican flavor..
• Cilantro, Green Onion: Fresh herbs that bring brightness and aromatic freshness to the final dish..
• Tomato: Juicy, ripe fruit that adds color and fresh acidity as a topping..
• Avocado: Creamy, rich topping that offers smooth texture and healthy fats..

• Mexican Blend Cheese: Shredded cheese mixture that melts beautifully and adds creamy, tangy flavor..
• Sour Cream: Cool, tangy dairy topping that balances the spicy and rich elements of the dish..

• Cooking Spray: Non-stick agent to prevent tortillas from sticking to the muffin tin..
• Tin Foil Balls: Temporary support to help tortillas maintain cup shape during initial b.

How to Assemble and Bake Enchilada Cups

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Coat a muffin tin generously with cooking spray. Gently press tortillas into each cup, creating cute little bowl shapes. Tuck small aluminum foil balls inside to help tortillas maintain their perky structure.

Step 2: Crisp Tortilla Shells

Bake tortilla shells for 15 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from oven, carefully discard foil balls, and set pan aside.

Step 3: Cook Savory Beef Mixture

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles while cooking. Drain excess fat after 8-10 minutes of cooking.

Step 4: Season Beef Filling

• Black beans
• Corn
• Jalapeños

Step 5: Fill Tortilla Cups

Scoop beef mixture into each crispy tortilla shell, filling nearly to the top. Generously sprinkle Mexican blend cheese over each cup.

Step 6: Melt and Finish

Return muffin tin to oven, bake 10 minutes until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Add Fresh Toppings

• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Sliced avocado

Serve immediately and enjoy your flavor-packed enchilada cups!

Enchilada Cup Tips for Easy Serving

• Fortify Tortillas: Use room temperature tortillas for easier molding and less cracking when shaping in muffin cups.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Pat ground beef dry before cooking to reduce excess moisture and maintain crispy tortilla cups.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Let cheese rest for 1-2 minutes after removing from oven to achieve perfect melty texture without burning.
• Flavor Boost: Toast taco seasoning in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding beef to intensify its aromatic spices.
• Customization Hack: Swap ground beef with shredded chicken or plant-based protein for versatile meal options that suit different dietary preferences.

How to Store and Reheat Enchilada Cups

• Refrigerate: Carefully transfer enchilada cups to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, place cups on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy.
• Microwave Option: Quickly reheat individual cups for 30-45 seconds, but note that the tortilla might lose some crispness compared to oven reheating.

Perfect Pairings for Enchilada Cups

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the spicy, rich enchilada cups with a classic margarita featuring fresh lime juice and a salt rim. The citrusy cocktail cuts through the beef's richness and balances the jalapeño's heat.
• Mexican Beer Refreshment: Grab a cold Corona or Modelo Especial to enhance the dish's flavors. The light, crisp beer provides a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty, cheesy enchilada cups.
• Fresh Cilantro Lime Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, chopped cilantro, lime vinaigrette, and diced avocado. This bright, tangy salad offers a cool contrast to the warm, spicy enchilada cups and adds nutritional balance.
• Cool Creamy Dip Companion: Prepare a quick sour cream and salsa verde dip for extra moisture and tang. The creamy, zesty sauce adds another layer of flavor to the already delicious enchilada cups.

Creative Variations on Classic Enchilada Cups

• Vegetarian Veggie Venture: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or roasted black beans. Load cups with bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a nutrient-packed alternative that satisfies vegetarian preferences.
• Chicken Fiesta Cups: Replace ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or seasoned ground chicken. Mix with salsa verde for a tangy southwestern flavor profile that adds exciting complexity to the recipe.
• Seafood Sensation: Use seasoned shrimp or crab meat instead of beef. Add diced green chiles and pepper jack cheese for a coastal-inspired version that brings ocean-fresh flavors to the classic enchilada cups.
• Breakfast Brunch Cups: Transform the recipe by adding scrambled eggs and chorizo. Top with pico de gallo and queso fresco for a morning-friendly version that works perfectly for weekend brunches.

Enchilada Cups Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Crispy tortilla cups cradle zesty Mexican-inspired flavors in these irresistible enchilada cups. Packed with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a spicy sauce, this handheld appetizer delivers bold southwestern comfort perfect for game day or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef, 80-85% lean

Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 10 ounces (283 grams) red enchilada sauce

Base Ingredients:

• 10 small flour tortillas
• 14 ounces (397 grams) canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) canned whole kernel corn
• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) shredded Mexican blend cheese

Optional Toppings:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped pickled jalapeños
• ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 green onion, chopped
• ¼ cup (40 grams) chopped tomato
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 small avocado, cubed

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Instructions

1. Craft a crisp foundation by gently pressing tortillas into muffin tin cavities, creating delicate edible vessels. Reinforce the shape with strategically placed aluminum foil balls for structural integrity.
2. Transform the tortilla shells into golden, crunchy platforms through precise oven roasting at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, orchestrate a savory beef mixture by thoroughly browning ground meat in a sizzling skillet until perfectly crumbled and nearly cooked.
4. Eliminate excess grease from the meat, then elevate the flavor profile by introducing enchilada sauce, zesty taco seasoning, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, and fiery jalapeños.
5. Carefully ladle the robust beef mixture into the prepared tortilla cups, filling them generously but not overflowing.
6. Cascade a blanket of vibrant Mexican cheese blend across the filled cups, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Return the muffin tin to the oven, allowing the cheese to melt and create a glossy, bubbling surface for approximately 10 minutes.
8. Garnish the finished enchilada cups with a fresh medley of chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, dollops of creamy sour cream, and delicate avocado slices.
9. Serve immediately while the cups retain their crisp texture and warm, inviting essence.

Notes

• Prepare the tortillas in advance by shaping them into crispy cups using a muffin tin and foil support for perfect structure.
• Ground beef mixture can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for quick assembly on busy weeknights.
• Customize the heat level by adjusting jalapeños or choosing mild/spicy enchilada sauce to suit your taste preferences.
• For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or use plant-based meat alternatives.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven to maintain the crispy tortilla texture.
• Garnish options are flexible – swap fresh toppings based on what’s available in your kitchen or personal favorites.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg