These bite-size taco tartlets from Marlene Sorosky are made with seasoned ground beef formed into miniature shells and filled with sour cream, taco sauce, ripe olives and crunchy tortilla chips. Topped with cheddar and baked until hot, they're an easy make-ahead appetizer for entertaining.
Yield: About 30 appetizers
Bake Time: 7–8 minutes
Ingredients:
Tortilla Chip Filling
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons taco sauce
- 2 ounces chopped ripe olives
- ¾ cup coarsely crushed tortilla chips
Taco Tartlets
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons ice water
- Tortilla Chip Filling
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Prepare the Tortilla Chip Filling by combining the sour cream, taco sauce, chopped ripe olives and crushed tortilla chips. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, use your hands to combine the ground beef, taco seasoning mix and ice water.
- Press the beef mixture into the bottoms and up the sides of 1½-inch miniature muffin cups, forming small shells.
- Spoon some of the Tortilla Chip Filling into each beef shell, mounding it slightly.
- Sprinkle the tops with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 7–8 minutes, until the beef is cooked and the cheese is melted.
- Using the tip of a knife, carefully loosen and remove the tartlets from the muffin pan.
- Serve immediately, or allow to cool and freeze for later use.
Main-Dish Variation
Instead of miniature muffin cups, press the seasoned beef mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the filling and cheddar cheese as directed.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 45 minutes.
Servings: 6 main-dish servings
Tip: For entertaining, the tartlets can be prepared ahead, baked and frozen. Reheat until thoroughly hot before serving.
Source: Marlene Sorosky, Cookery for Entertaining