I remember the first time I made Ghost Mini Taco Pies. My youngest was going through a picky phase, and I was desperate to find something she’d actually eat. I saw a picture online and thought, “Well, that looks fun!” Turns out, it was a dinnertime win! The whole family loved them! What made these Ghost Mini Taco Pies such a hit was the combination of familiar flavors in a fun, bite-sized package. Plus, they’re super easy to customize! These Ghost Mini Taco Pies quickly became a comfort food staple in our house.
Honestly, I never expected something so simple to be such a crowd-pleaser. It just goes to show you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to create a meal that brings your family together. If you’re a busy mom looking for a sanity-saving comfort food that’s sure to please, you’ve come to the right place.
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
Here’s what you’ll need for these fun Ghost Mini Taco Pies:
- 1 pound ground beef: This is the base of our comforting taco filling.
- 1 packet taco seasoning: For that classic taco flavor.
- 1/2 cup water: To help the taco seasoning blend perfectly.
- 1 (10 ounce) can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel): Adds a little kick!
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans: Adds a creamy, comforting layer.
- 2 packages (14.1 ounce each) refrigerated pie crusts: These make the “ghosts”!
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese: Because cheese makes everything better!
- Black olives, sliced: For the ghost eyes and mouth.
Trust me, this Ghost Mini Taco Pies ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! No worries if you don’t have Rotel – a can of regular diced tomatoes works just fine. For extra comfort, I sometimes add a dollop of sour cream to the filling. You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store.
This Ghost Mini Taco Pies proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive. I often buy ground beef in bulk and freeze it to save money. My family gets extra comfort when I add a little corn to the taco filling. I think it gives it a little sweetness!
Here’s a Ghost Mini Taco Pies comfort hack that changed our family’s dinnertime: pre-cook the ground beef on the weekend! Then, when you’re ready to assemble the pies, the filling is already done!
Let’s Make it Happen!
Ready to make some Ghost Mini Taco Pies? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated. This is where that amazing taco smell starts to fill your kitchen!
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and green chilies. Set aside.
- Unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface.
- Using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter (or a knife, if you’re feeling creative!), cut out ghost shapes from the pie crusts. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect – ghosts aren’t perfect, either!
- Press a small amount of refried beans into the bottom of each muffin cup.
- Top with the ground beef mixture and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Here’s where I used to struggle with my Ghost Mini Taco Pies – I’d overfill the muffin cups! Learn from my experience and don’t pack them too full, or the filling will spill over.
- Gently place a pie crust ghost on top of each muffin cup, pressing the edges lightly to seal.
- Add the black olive slices to make the ghost eyes and mouth.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown. Your Ghost Mini Taco Pies should smell amazing by now!
- Let the pies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
In my busy kitchen, this comforting Ghost Mini Taco Pies usually takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. While your Ghost Mini Taco Pies are baking, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! This is also the perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch! Don’t worry if your Ghost Mini Taco Pies looks a little messy – that’s part of the charm!
How We Love to Eat This!
My kids devour this comforting Ghost Mini Taco Pies when I serve it with a simple side salad and some sour cream for dipping. These Ghost Mini Taco Pies are perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast! They are also an easy Halloween appetizer.
We also love to make them for Halloween parties! The kids love helping to cut out the ghost shapes. For a fun presentation, I arrange the Ghost Mini Taco Pies on a platter and add some guacamole and salsa for dipping. Leftovers (if there are any!) are great for lunch the next day.
One time, I made a big batch of these for a school potluck, and they were gone in minutes! I even had another mom ask me for the recipe. It felt good to share something that my family loves with others.
Sometimes, I’ll add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions on top of each Ghost Mini Taco Pies for a little extra flavor and color. They also pair well with a simple corn and black bean salsa. If you want to keep it simple, just serve them with your favorite taco toppings!
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
I know you busy moms have questions, so here are a few of the most common ones I get about Ghost Mini Taco Pies:
- Is this Ghost Mini Taco Pies really filling enough for growing kids? Absolutely! The combination of ground beef, beans, and cheese is packed with protein and fiber, which will keep your kids satisfied. Plus, you can always add a side dish like rice or beans to make it a complete meal.
- What if my picky eater won’t try this Ghost Mini Taco Pies? One trick is to let your picky eater help with the preparation. They might be more willing to try something they helped make. You can also offer them a small bite of just the filling, without the crust, to see if they like the flavor.
- Can I meal prep this Ghost Mini Taco Pies for busy weeks ahead? Yes! You can prepare the taco filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Then, when you’re ready to assemble the pies, just reheat the filling and follow the rest of the recipe.
- Can I freeze these Ghost Mini Taco Pies? Yes, you can! Bake them according to the directions and let them cool completely. Then, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat them, just reheat them in the oven or microwave.
- What can I use instead of pie crust? If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can use corn tortillas instead of pie crust. Just cut out ghost shapes from the tortillas and press them into the muffin cups.
- Can I add other vegetables to the filling? Absolutely! Feel free to add your family’s favorite vegetables to the taco filling. Corn, bell peppers, and onions all work well.
Creative Halloween Recipes for Graveyard Guacamole and Monster … This comforting Ghost Mini Taco Pies reminds me of another family favorite…I will make guacamole using avocados, sour cream, and cream cheese.If your kids love this hearty recipe, they’ll go crazy for Southwest Chicken Soup! I usually make that with grilled chicken.
For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out Italian Sausage and Potato Soup.
- My family doesn’t like spicy food. Can I make this without the diced tomatoes and green chilies? Yes, you can! Just substitute a can of regular diced tomatoes. You can also add a little bit of tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Final Thoughts:
I truly believe that mealtime should be a source of joy and connection for families, not stress and overwhelm. I hope this Ghost Mini Taco Pies recipe helps you create a dinnertime win that everyone will love.
Here are a few of My Ghost Mini Taco Pies Comfort Hacks:
- Pre-cook the ground beef on the weekend to save time during the week.
- Let the kids help with the preparation to make it a fun family activity.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and toppings to find what your family loves.
Here are a few family-tested Ghost Mini Taco Pies variations:
- Spicy Ghost Mini Taco Pies: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning for a little extra heat. My husband loves this version!
- Vegetarian Ghost Mini Taco Pies: Substitute the ground beef with black beans or lentils. My daughter is a vegetarian, and she loves this version.
Spooky 8-Layer Taco Dip – Pudge Factor is a great companion to any variation of Ghost Mini Taco Pies.
- Chicken Ghost Mini Taco Pies: Use shredded chicken instead of ground beef. This is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken.
I encourage you to make this recipe your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and techniques to find what works best for your family. I hope this simple comfort food brings your family as much joy as it brings mine. Remember to check out Ghost Taco Hand Pies (Cute and Easy!) – Nourish and Fete, where they show how to make them as hand pies!
Happy cooking, and I wish you many dinnertime wins! I hope you enjoy these satisfying Ghost Mini Taco Pies!
Ghost Mini Taco Pies
These spooky Ghost Mini Taco Pies are a fun and easy Halloween treat! Crispy tortilla shells filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with cheesy ghost faces are sure to be a hit.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 mini flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Black olives, sliced
- Optional toppings: salsa, guacamole, lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced.
- Press mini tortillas into muffin tins to form cups.
- Fill each tortilla cup with the seasoned ground beef mixture.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tortillas are lightly golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- While the pies are cooling, prepare the ghost faces. Mix sour cream with a small amount of shredded cheese until a thick, spreadable consistency is achieved.
- Spread the sour cream mixture on top of each taco pie to resemble a ghost.
- Use sliced black olives to create eyes and a mouth for each ghost.
- Serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings, if desired.
Notes
For a spicier kick, use a spicier taco seasoning or add some diced jalapeños to the ground beef mixture.