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Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is ready by the time you assemble the tart shells.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef or Chicken

In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, cook the ground beef or chicken over medium heat until it is no longer pink.
Use a meat masher tool or a wooden spoon to break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat to prevent the mixture from becoming too greasy.

Step 3: Season the Meat

Add the taco seasoning to the cooked meat, stirring well to coat.
Pour in the diced tomatoes and green chilies, stirring everything together.
Let the mixture cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Mix the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and seasoned taco meat mixture.
Stir until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 5: Assemble the Taco Bites

Arrange the frozen phyllo tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet.
Using a spoon, fill each tart shell with the taco mixture, ensuring each one is generously packed.

Step 6: Bake the Tarts

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
If baking from frozen, increase the baking time by 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Cooking Tips

How to tell when the beef or chicken is done: The meat should be fully browned, with no pink remaining. For ground chicken, cook until it turns white and slightly golden.
Draining fat properly: Use a spoon to remove excess grease from the pan, or carefully tilt the pan and blot with a paper towel.
Avoiding soggy shells: Since phyllo dough is delicate, avoid adding too much liquid from the tomato mixture. If necessary, drain some excess liquid before mixing with cheese and ranch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to crisp them up again.
Freezing for later: Before baking, you can freeze the assembled tarts. When ready to serve, bake directly from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.

Substitutions and Variations

Vegetarian option: Replace ground meat with black beans or lentils.
Spicier version: Add diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
Low-carb version: Skip the phyllo shells and serve the filling in mini bell peppers.