Beef and Bean Taco Cups – Recipe!

Taco night just got even more fun with these Beef and Bean Taco Cups.  They are super easy to put together in a muffin tin and the whole family will enjoy them.

Tacos are one of my favorite things and I’ve been eating them for as long as I can remember.  My Grandma Bell used to make ground beef tacos for Christmas Eve every year and this taco recipe reminds me of the ones she used to make.  The filling is simple, just some ground beef, an onion and taco seasoning all sauteed together.  Canned black beans make life really simple and those are added last, just before cooling.

Street-size flour tortillas fit so snuggly into each muffin cup and bake to a golden brown, but you can’t find them — use a round cutter and create your own from larger tortillas.  You can serve these for dinner with a green salad or Mexican-style rice.  They would also make a fun appetizer for a party or gathering, and you can always store the leftovers to eat later.

*may contain commissioned links

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, diced

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

14 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

12 street size flour tortillas

1 1/2 cups white cheddar or jack cheese, shredded

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup sour cream

1 avocado, sliced

oil spray

(Serves 4-6)

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray each muffin cup with oil or brush with butter.
2. In a saute pan over medium heat, add beef and onions.  Break up meat with wooden spoon while stirring.  Cooking for 4 minutes.
3. Add dried spices, stir.  Cook for 3 minutes, then remove from heat.  Let cool for 5 minutes.
4. Microwave tortillas in a stack for 20 seconds.  Place a tortilla in each cup.
5. Fill each cup with meat mixture.  Top with cheese and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and lift out of muffin tin and place on serving platter.
7. Top with tomatoes, sour cream and avocado.  Enjoy!