Beef and Cheese Chimichangas – Crispy, Cheesy, and Bursting with Flavor!
These beef and cheese chimichangas are the perfect golden pockets of joy—crunchy on the outside, filled with juicy seasoned beef and melty cheese on the inside. They bring all the bold flavor of your favorite Mexican takeout right to your own kitchen!
Great for busy dinners or weekend indulgence, these baked or fried beauties are easy to prep, full of spice, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Serve them with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for that extra zing.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 can (4 oz) green chilies
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Oil for brushing or frying
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (or heat oil in a deep skillet for frying).
- In a pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef with onions until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in green chilies and remove from heat. Let cool slightly, then mix in shredded cheese.
- Warm tortillas slightly to make folding easier.
- Spoon the beef mixture into the center of each tortilla. Fold in the sides and roll tightly like a burrito.
- For baking: Place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- For frying: Fry each chimichanga seam-side down in hot oil until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Breakdown (Per Chimichanga)
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Sodium | 710 mg |
Printable Summary
| Beef and Cheese Chimichangas | |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Ground beef, tortillas, cheese, taco seasoning, green chilies |
| Cooking Method | Oven-baked or fried until crispy |
FAQs
Q: Can I freeze them?
Yes! Wrap tightly in foil and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 30–35 minutes.
Q: Can I make them vegetarian?
Swap beef with seasoned black beans and bell peppers, and you’re good to go.
Q: What cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend melts beautifully.
Q: How do I keep them crispy?
Brush or spray with oil generously before baking, or fry for that classic crunch.
Your taste buds are in for a treat—this is one dinner that never disappoints!
