Description
Delightful Beef and Cheese Chimichangas feature a crispy tortilla shell filled with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and creamy refried beans. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (or homemade)
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 6 large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for brushing/frying)
Instructions
- Cook the beef filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is cooked through and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
- Add flavor: Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and salsa. Simmer the mixture for about 3–4 minutes until everything is well combined and aromatic.
- Assemble the chimichangas: Spread a spoonful of refried beans down the center of each tortilla. Top with a scoop of the beef mixture and a handful of shredded cheese. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly, just like a burrito.
- Cook the chimichangas:
- Oven method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chimichangas seam-side down on a baking sheet, lightly brush with vegetable oil, and bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping once to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
- Skillet method: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chimichangas seam-side down for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Allow chimichangas to rest for about 2 minutes before serving. Top them with sour cream, guacamole, fresh lettuce, or more salsa for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
For the best chimichangas, avoid overfilling the tortillas and consider frying for an extra crisp. You can also customize with various cheeses or try a vegetarian version with black beans.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chimichangas, beef recipe, Mexican food, comfort food, easy dinner