Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Cups

Crispy flour tortilla cups filled with seasoned beef, melted sharp cheddar and thick-cut bacon.

Top them with fresh tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles and a drizzle of homemade burger sauce.

Ingredients

Yield: About 12 cups
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 25–30 minutes
Oven temperature: 375°F, then 350°F

Cheeseburger Cups

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 12 small flour tortillas (street taco size)

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded, plus more if desired

• ½ pound thick-cut bacon

• Montreal steak seasoning, to taste

• Garlic powder, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Melted butter, for brushing the tortillas

Fresh Toppings

• ½ red onion, finely diced

• 1–2 Roma tomatoes, diced

• Dill pickle chips, chopped

Homemade Burger Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons ketchup

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon paprika

• Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Prep the toppings and cheese. Dice the red onion and tomatoes, chop the dill pickle chips and shred the cheddar.

2. Cook the bacon. Fry over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, let cool, then chop into small pieces.

3. Mix the burger sauce. Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper together until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

4. Cook the beef. Brown it in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Season lightly with Montreal steak seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper. Cook to 160°F and drain the excess grease.

5. Prepare the tortilla cups. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with melted butter and press it into a muffin tin. Bake 5–8 minutes, until the tortillas start to turn golden and hold their shape.

6. Fill and bake the cups. Reduce the oven to 350°F. Add cooked beef, shredded cheddar, chopped bacon and a little more cheddar to each cup. Bake 5–7 minutes, until the cheese melts and the edges are golden and crisp.

7. Finish and serve. Remove the cups from the tin and top with diced tomatoes, red onion, chopped pickles and a drizzle of burger sauce. Serve warm.

Broke Gourmet Tips

• Give the tortillas a head start in the oven so they hold their shape.

• Go easy on the Montreal steak seasoning. A little goes a long way.

• Shred the cheddar yourself for a smoother melt.