Monster taco bowls make a fun dinner for a Halloween party. Fill taco bowls with seasoned meat, rice, beans, and cheese, then add silly faces with olives and vegetables. Everyone can make a monster of their own! If you also want a cozy side for your party table, try cranberry sauce and dinner rolls.
Why Make This Recipe
These monster taco bowls use simple ingredients and take little work. You can cook the filling ahead of time and add the fresh toppings just before serving.
They also give kids a fun way to help with dinner. Set out the toppings and let them create eyes, mouths, and horns. Use mild taco seasoning for a gentle flavor, or offer hot sauce on the side.
How to Make Monster Taco Bowls
Cook and season the meat, prepare the fillings, and build each bowl in layers. Add the monster faces last so the toppings stay fresh and the shells stay crisp.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Taco shells or edible taco bowls
- Sliced olives, for eyes
- Cherry tomatoes, for accents
- Sliced vegetables, such as bell peppers or cucumbers, for decoration
Directions
- Cook the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook beef to 160°F or turkey to 165°F, then drain excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning. Add water and simmer as directed on the packet.
- Warm the cooked rice, black beans, and corn. Prepare the taco shells or bowls according to their package instructions.
- Add a layer of rice to each shell or bowl. Top with seasoned meat, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese.
- Add shredded lettuce and small dollops of sour cream. Place sliced olives on the sour cream to make eyes. Use cherry tomato halves and sliced vegetables to make mouths, horns, or funny hair.
- Serve right away while the filling is warm and the shells are crisp.
How to Serve Monster Taco Bowls
Serve the bowls on a large tray for your Halloween dinner. Keep salsa, guacamole, and hot sauce on the side so guests can choose their own extras.
For a build-your-own taco table, keep the hot fillings warm and the cold toppings chilled. Let guests fill and decorate their bowls just before eating.
How to Store Monster Taco Bowls
Store the cooked meat, rice, beans, and corn in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Chill them within two hours of cooking.
Keep the lettuce, sour cream, and cut vegetables separate from the cooked filling. Store unused taco shells in a sealed container in a dry place, following the package instructions.
Reheat the cooked filling to 165°F before serving. Add fresh toppings and use a fresh shell for the best crunch. Assembled bowls will turn soft in the fridge.
Tips to Make Monster Taco Bowls
- Drain the filling well. Extra liquid can make the shells soggy.
- Keep the sour cream thick. Small, firm dollops help hold the olive eyes in place.
- Do not overfill the bowls. Leave space for the lettuce and monster faces.
- Prep decorations first. Slice the olives and vegetables before you start building the bowls.
- Let children decorate safely. Have an adult cut the vegetables and handle the hot filling.
- Use what you have. Pepper strips make horns, shredded cheese makes hair, and tomato pieces make funny smiles.
Variation
For meat-free monster taco bowls, replace the ground meat with extra black beans or cooked lentils. Heat them with taco seasoning, adding a little water as needed.
You can also skip the edible shells and serve the filling in regular bowls with tortilla chips on the side.
FAQs
Can I make monster taco bowls ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the meat and prepare the other fillings ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. Reheat the cooked fillings and build the bowls just before serving.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well with taco seasoning. Cook it to 165°F before adding it to the bowls.
What can I use instead of olives for the eyes?
Try small pieces of bell pepper or small cucumber slices. Set them on sour cream dollops to help them stand out.
How do I keep the taco bowls from getting soggy?
Drain the beans, corn, and meat well. Add the filling just before serving, and keep wet toppings like salsa on the side.