Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe

Cozy Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe: A Tasty Twist for Taco Night

Crunch meets comfort in these delightful taco biscuit cups that bring a zesty twist to your dinner table.

Pillowy biscuits cradle seasoned ground beef with bold Mexican-inspired flavors.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crispy edges and savory filling.

The recipe combines convenience with bold, satisfying taste that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Layers of cheese, meat, and tangy toppings create a crowd-pleasing meal that disappears faster than you can serve them.

These handheld delights transform ordinary weeknight dinners into something special.

You’ll love how simple yet impressive these taco biscuit cups can be for any gathering.

Why Taco Biscuit Cups Are Crowd Favorites

  • Quick and Easy Meal: Whip up a delicious dinner that comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute hunger attacks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combines the beloved flavors of tacos with the comfort of warm, cheesy biscuits that kids and adults will absolutely devour.
  • Customizable Kitchen Adventure: Swap in different cheeses, add extra toppings like sour cream or salsa, or use ground turkey for a personalized twist on this crowd-pleasing recipe.
  • Minimal Cleanup Miracle: Uses just one skillet and a muffin tin, making cleanup a breeze and giving you more time to enjoy your delicious creation.

Taco Biscuit Cups Pantry Must-Haves

Meat and Protein:
  • Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty protein base for the taco filling.
  • Taco Seasoning: A blend of spices that adds bold Mexican-inspired flavor to the ground beef.
Dairy:
  • Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that provides a creamy topping for the taco cups.
Bread and Biscuits:
  • Refrigerated Biscuits: Convenient dough that creates a crispy cup to hold the taco filling.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Cilantro, Water: Fresh herb and liquid that help enhance the meat's flavor and moisture.
Kitchen Basics:
  • Nonstick Cooking Spray: Helps prevent the biscuits from sticking to the muffin tin.

Assembling Taco Biscuit Cups Step by Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F degrees.

Grab your muffin tin and give it a generous spray of nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Grab a large skillet and toss in the ground beef.

Break it up and cook until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and a splash of water.

Stir everything together and let it simmer until the liquid disappears, creating a flavor-packed meat mixture (around 5 minutes).

Step 4: Add Fresh Herbs

Pull the skillet off the heat and mix in some chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Step 5: Biscuit Transformation

Separate your biscuits and gently press them into the greased muffin cups.

Nudge the dough up the sides to create little edible cups.

Step 6: Fill the Cups

Distribute the seasoned meat mixture evenly into each biscuit cup.

Don’t worry if you have a tiny bit left over.

Step 7: Cheese Please

Shower each cup with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

You’re looking for golden-brown biscuits and melted, bubbly cheese.

Tips and Hacks for Better Taco Biscuit Cups

  • Remove excess grease completely to prevent soggy biscuit cups and ensure a crisp, delicious texture.
  • Gently stretch and press dough evenly into muffin tin sides to create uniform, stable cups that hold the filling perfectly.
  • Try pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese for an extra flavor kick that complements the taco seasoning wonderfully.
  • Add black beans or diced cooked chicken to the meat mixture for additional protein and more substantial filling.
  • Sprinkle chopped green onions, sour cream, or fresh salsa after baking to add brightness and cool contrast to the warm, cheesy bites.

Taco Biscuit Cups Change-Ups and Twists

  • Vegetarian Fiesta Cups: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
  • Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Alternative: Swap biscuit dough with large lettuce leaves for a lighter, carb-conscious option.
  • Chicken Taco Transformation: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken for a different protein profile.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free biscuit dough and ensure taco seasoning is gluten-free for celiac-safe meal.

How to Plate Taco Biscuit Cups for Parties

  • Family Dinner Delight: Perfect for busy weeknights, these taco biscuit cups bring excitement to the dinner table with minimal cleanup.
  • Mexican Fiesta Companions: Serve alongside Mexican street corn, fresh guacamole, or zesty salsa for a complete southwestern-style meal that everyone will love.
  • Customizable Toppings Bar: Set out chopped green onions, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and extra cilantro so each person can personalize their biscuit cup with favorite garnishes.
  • Leftover Magic: Store any remaining biscuit cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for a quick lunch or snack the next day.

The Best Way to Keep Taco Biscuit Cups Tasting Great

  • Store cooked taco biscuit cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each cup individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
  • Cool completely before freezing. Place cups in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months for quick future meals.
  • Warm refrigerated cups in the oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness. Microwave works too, but may make the biscuit slightly soggy.
  • Enjoy within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture. Reheat just before serving to maintain the crispy biscuit edges and melted cheese quality.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken work great as substitutes for beef in this recipe. They provide a leaner protein option while maintaining similar flavor.

  • Do I need fresh cilantro or can I use dried?

Fresh cilantro is recommended for the best flavor, but if unavailable, you can use dried cilantro. Just use about 1/3 the amount of dried compared to fresh.

  • What if I don't have taco seasoning?

You can make a quick homemade mix using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This allows you to control the sodium and spice levels.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe

Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory Taco Biscuit Cups merge Mexican-inspired zest with comforting Southern charm, creating a delightful handheld meal. Crispy biscuit shells cradle seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings, promising a crowd-pleasing bite that brings excitement to your dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Meat:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef

Dairy:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning and Biscuit Base:

  • 1 ounce (28 grams) packet taco seasoning
  • 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) refrigerated biscuits (or two 6 ounce cans)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 400°F and coat a muffin tin thoroughly with nonstick spray, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking into small crumbles until fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  3. Eliminate excess fat from the skillet by draining, then return meat to pan and incorporate taco seasoning with water, stirring until liquid reduces and mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
  4. Remove skillet from heat and gently fold chopped cilantro into the seasoned meat mixture, distributing herbs evenly.
  5. Carefully separate individual biscuit dough and press each into muffin cups, stretching and molding dough to create cup-like shapes that reach sides and bottom of each compartment.
  6. Distribute seasoned meat mixture uniformly among prepared biscuit cups, filling each approximately 3/4 full.
  7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over meat-filled biscuit cups, covering entire surface.
  8. Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown biscuit edges and completely melted cheese.

Notes

  • Quick-press biscuit dough into muffin tins firmly to create perfect cup shapes without tearing.
  • Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy biscuit bottoms and reduce excess grease.
  • Select lean ground beef (90/10) for healthier version without compromising rich taco flavor.
  • Customize with alternative proteins like turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star