Follow these detailed steps to assemble and bake your delicious Beefy Cheesy Taco Cups to perfection. Precision in preparation leads to the best results!

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or a light coating of oil. If you have two 12-cup tins, prepare both to bake all 24 cups simultaneously, or plan to bake in two batches.
2. Brown the Beef: Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until it’s thoroughly browned and no longer pink (approximately 7-10 minutes).
3. Drain the Grease: Once browned, carefully tilt the skillet over a heatproof bowl or container lined with paper towels to drain off any excess fat. This step is crucial for preventing soggy taco cups. Return the skillet to the stovetop.
4. Season the Beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the cooked ground beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
5. Add Liquid and Simmer: Pour the water (or beef broth) into the skillet with the seasoned beef. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavours have melded. Remove from heat.
6. Form the Wonton Cups: Carefully press one wonton wrapper into each greased muffin cup. Gently push the center down and crease the sides so the wrapper lines the cup, with the corners pointing up. Try to ensure the bottom lays flat to create a stable base. If using two muffin tins, repeat for all 24 cups.
7. Optional Pre-Bake (for extra crispiness): For guaranteed crispy cups, you can lightly pre-bake the empty wonton wrappers for 3-5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until they are just beginning to turn golden at the edges. Let them cool slightly before filling. This helps prevent the bottoms from becoming soft from the filling.
8. Layer the Cheese (Bottom Layer): Sprinkle a small amount of the shredded cheese (about 1 teaspoon) into the bottom of each wonton cup. This creates a barrier that helps protect the wonton wrapper from moisture in the beef filling.
9. Fill the Cups: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each wonton cup, filling them about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Avoid overfilling, as this can cause spillage during baking and may prevent the wontons from crisping properly.
10. Top with More Cheese: Generously sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top of the beef filling in each cup. Ensure the cheese covers the meat well for maximum melty goodness.
11. Bake: Carefully place the muffin tin(s) into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the wonton wrapper edges are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes, as wonton wrappers can brown quickly.
12. Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the muffin tin(s) from the oven and let the taco cups cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. This allows them to set slightly, making them easier to remove without breaking.
13. Remove and Serve: Gently run a thin knife or small offset spatula around the edges of each taco cup if needed, then carefully lift them out of the muffin tin and arrange them on a serving platter.
14. Add Toppings and Enjoy: Serve the Beefy Cheesy Taco Cups warm, garnished with your favourite toppings like sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro. Enjoy immediately!