Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or meal that everyone will love. Filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, these rolled tortillas bake up golden and crunchy for the perfect bite. Serve them with your favorite dips for a satisfying treat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup tomato sauce (or salsa)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
• 10–12 small flour or corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese (extra for topping)
• Cooking spray or oil (for brushing)
• Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping
• Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
3. Step 3: Stir in the tomato sauce (or salsa) and cook for another 2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese while the mixture is still warm to create a creamy filling.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
6. Step 6: Warm the tortillas briefly, about 10 seconds per side in a skillet or microwave, to make them pliable for rolling.
7. Step 7: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto each tortilla and roll tightly, sealing the filling inside.
8. Step 8: Arrange the rolled taquitos seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Step 9: Lightly brush or spray each taquito with oil and sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top.
10. Step 10: Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Step 11: For extra crispiness, broil the taquitos for 1–2 minutes at the end—watch closely to avoid burning.
12. Step 12: Serve hot with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.
13. Step 13: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions before serving for a fresh flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or flour tortillas for a softer texture.
• Try adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with sautéed mushrooms or black beans.
• Make ahead by assembling the taquitos and freezing before baking—bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.

Storage

Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to regain their crispiness, or microwave briefly for a softer texture. Avoid refrigerating wrapped in foil to keep them crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Yes, corn tortillas work well for this recipe and offer a traditional flavor. Warm them well before rolling to prevent cracking.

Can I prepare these taquitos ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the taquitos and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 63 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 taquitos (serves 10) 1x

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Description

These Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos are a perfect crowd-pleaser featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy rolled tortillas baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make Mexican-inspired appetizer or snack is great for gatherings and family meals, served with creamy sour cream, tangy salsa, or fresh guacamole.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Filling

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup tomato sauce (or salsa)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)

Taquitos

• 10–12 small flour or corn tortillas
• Cooking spray or oil (for brushing)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (extra for topping)

To Serve

• Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping
• Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish

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Instructions

1. Cook Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely chopped onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Mix well to evenly coat the beef with spices.
3. Incorporate Tomato Sauce: Add the tomato sauce (or salsa) to the skillet and cook the mixture for another 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
4. Mix in Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese while the mixture is still warm to create a creamy, cohesive filling.
5. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to fully heat up.
6. Warm Tortillas: Briefly warm the tortillas for about 10 seconds per side in a skillet or microwave to make them pliable and easy to roll.
7. Assemble Taquitos: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto each warmed tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling with the seam side down to keep them secure.
8. Prepare for Baking: Place the rolled taquitos seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
9. Brush with Oil and Sprinkle Cheese: Lightly brush or spray each taquito with cooking oil for crispiness. Sprinkle the extra shredded cheese evenly on top.
10. Bake Taquitos: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, until taquitos turn golden brown and the cheese melts and bubbles.
11. Broil for Crispiness (Optional): For extra crispy taquitos, broil them for an additional 1–2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
12. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole on the side.
13. Garnish: Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro or green onions for a fresh finishing touch.

Notes

• Use small flour or corn tortillas for best results. Corn tortillas give a more authentic flavor but are less pliable, so warming them well is important.
• Adjust seasoning and spice level to your preference by modifying chili powder and salt.
• For a lower fat version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
• Extra cheese on top enhances flavor and browning but can be omitted for less richness.
• Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for extra crispiness—watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Leftover taquitos can be reheated in the oven to retain their crispiness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: beef taquitos, cheesy taquitos, crispy taquitos, Mexican appetizer, baked taquitos, ground beef recipe