Description
Quick Cheesy Beef Taquitos are crispy rolled tortillas filled with a savory blend of ground beef, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and Mexican spices. Baked until golden and served with salsa and sour cream, these taquitos make for an easy, delicious, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Taquitos
- 8 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or cooking spray
Optional Serving
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat to keep the filling less greasy.
- Season and Combine Cheese: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the beef. Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until they begin to melt, creating a cheesy, flavorful filling.
- Warm and Fill Tortillas: Warm the tortillas briefly so they are pliable and easy to roll. Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture onto each tortilla, then roll them up tightly with the seam side down to secure the filling.
- Prepare Taquitos for Baking: Arrange the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each one with melted butter or lightly spray with cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness.
- Bake Until Crispy: Bake the taquitos in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Serve hot with optional salsa and sour cream on the side for dipping, enhancing the flavors with a tangy and creamy contrast.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can air fry the taquitos at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes instead of baking.
- You can prepare the taquitos ahead of time and freeze them before baking for a quick and convenient future meal.
