Description
Taco Ranch Bites are delicious mini crescent roll cups filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, topped with ranch dressing and sour cream. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer for parties or casual gatherings, these bite-sized treats combine Tex-Mex spices with creamy toppings and fresh garnishes for a crowd-pleasing snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
Dough and Cheese
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Toppings
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
- Diced tomatoes, for garnish (optional)
Others
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the bites from becoming greasy.
- Add seasoning and simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water, then simmer the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens. Remove the skillet from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare the dough cups: Unroll the crescent dough and pinch the seams together to create a solid sheet. Cut the dough into 24 equal squares and gently press each square into the cups of the prepared mini muffin tin, forming little dough cups.
- Fill and top: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the seasoned taco meat into each dough cup. Sprinkle a mixture of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over each filled cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cheese is melted thoroughly.
- Cool and garnish: Remove from the oven and let the bites cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle each with ranch dressing and add a small dollop of sour cream on top. Garnish with chopped green onions and diced tomatoes if desired.
- Serve warm: Serve these tasty Taco Ranch Bites warm for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter option.
- For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture before baking.
- If crescent roll dough is unavailable, puff pastry can be used as an alternative.
- Chilling the dough cups briefly before baking can help maintain their shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
