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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Transform the tortilla shells into golden, crunchy platforms through precise oven roasting at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, orchestrate a savory beef mixture by thoroughly browning ground meat in a sizzling skillet until perfectly crumbled and nearly cooked.
- 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.
- Carefully ladle the robust beef mixture into the prepared tortilla cups, filling them generously but not overflowing.
- Cascade a blanket of vibrant Mexican cheese blend across the filled cups, ensuring complete coverage.
- Return the muffin tin to the oven, allowing the cheese to melt and create a glossy, bubbling surface for approximately 10 minutes.
- 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.
- 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