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Pumpkin Patch Taco Cups

chef Laya
Pumpkin Patch Taco Cups are crispy baked tortilla cups filled with seasoned taco meat, salsa, and melted cheese, then decorated with pumpkin-inspired toppings. This easy Halloween appetizer is kid-friendly, customizable, and perfect for parties, fall gatherings, and game day.
Prepr Time 20 minutes
Cooking Time 20 minutes
ToTal Time 40 minutes
Type of plate Dinner
kitchen Mexican
Serving 4

Ingredients
  

For the taco cups

  • 12 wonton wrappers
  • Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup mild salsa
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican-blend cheese

For the pumpkin patch platter

  • cups shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup crushed dark tortilla chips
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup guacamole optional
  • ¼ cup sour cream optional
  • ¼ cup salsa optional
  • ¼ cup sliced black olives optional
  • Sliced jalapeños optional
  • Chopped cilantro optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C / 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup standard muffin pan with cooking spray.
  • Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, gently folding the corners to form cups. Lightly spray or brush the wrappers with oil.
  • Bake the empty wonton cups for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through.
  • Drain excess grease if necessary. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, salsa, and water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, until the taco mixture is thick.
  • Spoon about 1 tablespoon of taco filling into each pre-baked wonton cup. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  • Return the muffin pan to the oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese melts and the wonton edges are crisp and golden.
  • Let the taco cups cool in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully remove them and arrange on a serving platter.
  • Add shredded lettuce to the platter to create “grass” and sprinkle crushed dark tortilla chips around it to create “soil.”
  • Garnish the taco cups with green onion pieces to resemble pumpkin stems. Add optional guacamole, sour cream, salsa, olives, jalapeños, and cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Best shell option: Wonton wrappers become especially crisp and are easy to shape in a muffin pan.
  • Tortilla option: Use small flour or corn tortillas cut into circles, but bake them a little longer if needed to make them crisp.
  • Vegetarian option: Replace ground beef with black beans, corn, sautéed peppers, lentils, or plant-based taco meat.
  • Ground turkey option: Ground turkey or ground chicken works well; add a small extra splash of broth or salsa if the filling seems dry.
  • Keep cups crisp: Do not overfill, use thick taco filling, and add cold toppings immediately before serving.
  • Mini version: Use a mini muffin pan and smaller wonton-wrapper squares for bite-size taco cups.
  • Make ahead: Prepare taco filling one day ahead; bake the cups shortly before serving.
  • Food safety: Refrigerate leftover taco cups within 2 hours and reheat cooked leftovers to 74°C / 165°F