1. Preheat the Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your Taco Ranch Bites cook evenly and get that delightful crispy texture.

2. Prepare the Tortilla Cups

• Using a muffin tin: Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Shape the tortillas: Gently press each small tortilla into the muffin cups to form little bowls. You want them to fit snugly, so they hold all that delicious filling.

3. Cook the Ground Beef

• In a skillet: Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.
• Brown the beef: Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Stir occasionally until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Add the seasoning: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir well to combine. If the mixture seems a bit dry, you can add a splash of water to help the spices distribute evenly. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

4. Assemble the Taco Ranch Bites

• Fill the tortilla cups: Spoon about a tablespoon of the seasoned beef mixture into each tortilla cup. Don’t be shy—fill them up!
• Add the ranch dressing: Drizzle a teaspoon of ranch dressing over the beef in each cup.
• Top with cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese generously on top of each filled cup, allowing it to melt beautifully while baking.

5. Bake

• In the oven: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the tortillas are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning!

6. Cool and Serve

• Let them cool: Once they’re out of the oven, let the Taco Ranch Bites cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. This will help them firm up and make it easier to remove them.
• Remove and garnish: Carefully remove the bites from the muffin tin and transfer them to a serving platter. Top with your favorite garnishes—sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or avocado slices add freshness and color!