Description
These Red, White, and Blue Taco Bites are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings. Featuring seasoned ground beef, blue corn tortilla chips, Monterey Jack cheese, fresh salsa, and sour cream, these bite-sized treats bake quickly to melty perfection and offer a delightful combination of colors and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
- 35 round blue corn tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 1 cup red salsa
- ½ cup sour cream, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the ground beef until it is browned and crumbly, which should take about 8 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess oil from the skillet.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning mix into the browned beef, mixing well. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove the beef mixture from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra moisture.
- Arrange Chips: Spread the blue corn tortilla chips evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring the chips do not overlap.
- Add Toppings: On each chip, place a small amount of shredded cheese, followed by a spoonful of the seasoned beef mixture, some red salsa, and a little sour cream. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of each chip for a cheesy finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Final Touch: After baking, pipe or spoon a small dollop of the remaining sour cream onto each taco bite. Serve them arranged on a platter for a colorful and delicious appetizer experience.
Notes
- Use blue corn tortilla chips for a patriotic color theme, but regular corn chips can be substituted.
- Drain the cooked beef well to avoid soggy chips.
- The sour cream can be seasoned with a bit of lime juice or cilantro for added flavor.
- These can be prepped ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating before baking; just add sour cream before serving.
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeño slices or hot sauce to the toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
