Taco Ranch Bites
These easy Taco Ranch Bites are the perfect appetizer or snack, ideal for parties or a quick bite. They're made with flavorful taco meat, creamy ranch dressing, and your favorite toppings, all served on crispy tortilla chips. This recipe is quick, customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Oven
- Small bowl (optional, for toppings)
- Piping bag or zip-top bag (optional, for ranch)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- Sour cream optional
- Sliced black olives optional
- Sliced jalapeños optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare all your ingredients by chopping the tomatoes and green onions and shredding the cheese.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and follow the package directions, usually adding a little water and simmering for a few minutes until thickened.
- Arrange the tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
- Top each chip with a spoonful of the taco meat mixture.
- Drizzle each chip with a little ranch dressing.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with diced tomatoes and green onions.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
For extra crispy chips, preheat the baking sheet in the oven before adding the chips. To prevent soggy chips, use a thicker ranch dressing or mix thinner ranch with sour cream. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco meat. Taco meat can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.