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    Cooking Cheesy Beef Taco Crescent Cups with Kids

    Published: Apr 10, 2020 · Modified: Nov 8, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    If your child is home from school, one the best things you can do with them is get in the kitchen and get cooking. Kids can learn so much while cooking. They can practice simple math concepts, along with their reading skills as they help to read a recipe. Also, you will create some wonderful memories with your child as you cook together. Plus, there is the added bonus of eating a delicious meal at the end of the experience. Today we will be cooking Cheesy Beef Crescent Taco Cups. If you enjoy these, be sure to give this Mexican Sopes Recipe a try. I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

    child making cheesy taco crescent cups
    Jump to:
    • Why these Cheesy Taco Crescent Cups are awesome
    • Ingredients
    • How to make cheesy taco crescent cups
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Get kids to open up

    Why these Cheesy Taco Crescent Cups are awesome

    • A new way to enjoy tacos
    • Yummy taco filling in a crispy and flaky shell
    • Cooks up in 20 minutes

    Cooking with kids can be a fun experience, but be sure to properly supervise them and go over safety rules, considering their age and personality.

    Ingredients

    • 92% Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
    • Crescent roll dough
    • Enchilada sauce
    • Black beans
    • Corn
    • Taco seasoning
    • Diced tomatoes (or salsa)
    • Shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese mix
    ingredients for beef taco crescent cups

    I used 1 pound of 92% Laura’s Lean Ground Beef to make these beef taco crescent cups with my kids. Whenever I am making a dish with ground beef, I like to use a quality beef like Laura’s Lean, because it really makes such a difference in how the meal tastes. In the past we have used Laura's Lean Ground Beef to make Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders and 4 Ingredient Easy Meatballs.

    What makes Laura’s Lean different from other “natural” beef? The fact that it is a “Never Ever” offering, which means the protein is sourced from suppliers that raise their cattle without ever using added hormones or antibiotics and are always vegetarian fed. When you choose Laura’s Lean, you’re choosing the balance of taste and nutrition for you and your family and that's something you can feel good about.

    Laura’s Lean 96% Ground Beef is certified through the American Heart Association heart check program and meets USDA standards for “Extra Lean”. Laura’s Lean claim must meet strict USDA standards to qualify as lean.

    mom and child with rolled crescent rolls

    How to make cheesy taco crescent cups

    This recipe will make 12 taco crescent cups. Since most tubes of crescent dough come with 8 crescents, you will need two tubes for this recipe. My kids love opening the tubes of crescent rolls as they love the pop that it makes when it opens.

    Lay the crescent roll dough on a flat surface and have your child seal the seams with their fingers to make one larger piece of dough.

    child making crescent rolls
    crescent roll dough

    Next, have your child slice the dough into 8 squares using a pizza cutter.

    child slicing crescent roll dough

    Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and form each square of crescent dough into a cup in the tin. Set the muffin tin aside when done.

    placing crescent roll dough in a muffin tin

    Now it's time to cook your Laura's Lean ground beef. Did you know that each 4oz serving of Laura’s Lean contains less than 10g of fat, 4.5g or less of saturated fat and less than 95mg of cholesterol per 100g serving? That is why when I can't shop in person and can only do so online, I always make sure to ask for Laura's Lean. Laura's Lean 92% ground beef, 96% ground beef and 92% beef patties are sold at retail stores nationwide.

    Place ground beef into a heated large skillet.

    cooking beef in a skillet

    Break up the beef with a spatula, stir and cook until browned. If you have an older child, they can help with this step with supervision. Before letting your child use the stove, be sure you have gone over safety instructions with them.

    family cooking beef in a skillet

    Once the ground beef has browned, drain the pan. Then it is time to add some of the other ingredients. Pour in the enchilada sauce and add the taco seasoning mix.

    mother and child cooking

    Then add in the corn and simmer for a few minutes over medium heat.

    beef and corn cooking in a skillet

    Once the beef, corn, sauce and seasoning has cooked through a bit, remove the meat mixture from the pan and place in a bowl. Add the beans and diced tomatoes to the bowl and mix carefully.

    child cooking

    Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop up the beef mixture and pour into the crescent cups.

    making cheesy beef taco crescent cups

    Each cup will get ¼ cup of the mixture.

    beef taco crescent cups

    Sprinkle the top of each beef taco crescent cup with shredded Mexican cheese.

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups

    Bake in a 375 degree oven for 16-20 minutes, until the edges have turned a golden brown.

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups in a muffin tin

    Remove from the oven and enjoy! You can garnish these with cilantro if you wish. You could serve these with a side salad, but they are really filling on their own.

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups

    My kids loved how these cheesy beef taco crescent cups have all their favorite flavors in a crispy and flaky crescent roll.

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups on a red plate

    Try this Mexican crescent rolls recipe for your next Taco Tuesday.

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups and ground beef

    My daughter was so proud of the meal that she helped create! I hope you enjoyed this recipe and that helps you and your child spend some quality time together. Remember, you don’t ever need to sacrifice taste for nutrition since Laura’s Lean Beef is a premium, better-for-you beef. So trade up and try Laura’s Lean beef when you are cooking cheesy beef taco crescent cups with your kids Be sure to also try these Chicken Taco Cups..

    I am a big fan of  Eat At Home Meal Plans. Are you stressed about dinner each night? Sign up, and get access to 4 separate meal plans each month (Traditional, Whole Food Plant Based, Slow Cooker, and No Flour/No Sugar).

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups 30 alt

    📖 Recipe

    cheesy beef taco crescent cups 23

    Cooking Cheesy Beef Taco Crescent Cups with Kids

    Cooking is a fun activity for kids home from school. You'll enjoy cooking cheesy beef taco crescent cups with kids. A yummy, hands-on meal that is easy to make!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 236kcal
    Author: Vicky

    Ingredients

    • 2 tubes crescent rolls you will have leftover dough
    • 1 lb 92% Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
    • ½ cup enchilada sauce
    • 1 oz taco seasoning
    • ½ cup corn
    • ½ cup black beans
    • ½ cup diced tomatoes
    • ¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese mix
    • cooking spray

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Spray a 12 count muffin tin with cooking spray.
    • Open a tube of crescent rolls and lay the dough on a flat surface. Seal the seams with your fingers to make one larger piece of dough. This will make 8 squares so you will need to use a second tube of dough and repeat the process to get 4 additional squares of dough.
    • Slice the dough into 8 squares using a pizza cutter.
    • Form each square of crescent dough into a cup in the tin. Set the muffin tin aside when done.
    • Place ground beef into a heated skillet. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook over medium heat until no longer pink.
    • Once the beef has browned, drain the pan and add in the enchilada sauce, taco seasoning mix and corn. Cook for a few minutes over medium heat, stirring to combine.
    • Remove the mixture from the pan and place in a bowl. Add the beans and diced tomatoes to the bowl and mix carefully.
    • Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop up the beef mixture and pour into the crescent cups.
    • Sprinkle the top of each beef taco crescent cup with shredded Mexican cheese.
    • Bake in 375 degree oven for 16-20 minutes. If the edges are browning too fast, place foil over the pan. Remove from oven and let cool a bit before removing from muffin pan.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 707mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 726IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 3mg
    Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!

    This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    cheesy beef taco cresent cups

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I use salsa in place of diced tomatoes?

    Yes you can. Simply substitute it 1:1 for the diced tomatoes.

    How can I store these taco muffin cups?

    You can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 days.

    What can I serve with these taco crescent cups?

    Chips and salsa make a great side as does rice.

    Get kids to open up

    Tired of the same dinner conversations? Trying to get your kids to talk more? These Printable Dinner Conversation Starters! You get 4 pages filled with 36 Family Dinner Conversation Starters. These conversation cards include fun questions for you to share with your family at mealtime to get to know each other better.

    Family Dinner Conversation Starters
    Cooking Cheesy Beef Taco Crescent Cups with Kids
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      April 22, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      If you promise not to tell my husband this is a 'kid friendly' recipe, I won't tell him when I serve it for dinner tomorrow night! We are in a 'no waste' meal plan and well, perfect for our leftover chili! I happen to have the biscuits that I scored a good price on so I'm super excited for this easy n fun meal tomorrow night!

    2. Alpana @ GypsyPlate

      April 10, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      My toddler is a little too young for cooking, but I'll make them!

    3. Danielle

      April 10, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      Ah, this looks so much fun! And you look so happy! Delicious cups and fantastic post - I really enjoyed it, thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    4. Diana Reis

      April 10, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      5 stars
      These are so yummy. My kids are little so we just had them fill the cups and put on some toppings. Great Idea!

    5. Krissy Allori

      April 10, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      I love this! Cooking with the kids can be so fun. We've been doing a lot more of it around here for sure. I'm going to put this on the menu for taco Tuesday.

    6. Sharon

      April 10, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      I love recipes that the kids can help with! These are easy to make and really a family favorite too.

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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