Beef and Cheese Chimichangas Recipe
Delicious and crispy Beef and Cheese Chimichangas made with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheddar cheese, all wrapped in flour tortillas and cooked to golden perfection either baked or pan-fried for a satisfying Tex-Mex meal.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 chimichangas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning or homemade equivalent
- ½ cup salsa
Others
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
- 6 large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for brushing or frying
- Cook the beef filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and salsa. Simmer the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes to allow flavors to meld well.
- Assemble the chimichangas: Lay each tortilla flat and spread a spoonful of refried beans down the center. Add a generous scoop of the beef mixture on top, followed by a handful of shredded cheese. Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it up tightly like a burrito to enclose the filling.
- Cook the chimichangas: For the oven method, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the rolled chimichangas seam-side down on a baking sheet, brush lightly with vegetable oil, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Flip once halfway through baking until they are evenly golden and crispy. For the skillet method, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chimichangas seam-side down and cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove the chimichangas from heat and let them rest for 2 minutes. Serve with optional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce, or additional salsa for enhanced flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using the oven method reduces oil usage and creates a healthier dish while still achieving crispiness.
- Make sure to tightly roll the chimichangas to prevent filling from leaking during cooking.
- You can customize the filling by adding vegetables like diced bell peppers or corn.
- Let chimichangas rest briefly after cooking to avoid burns from hot filling.
- Serve with a variety of dips or toppings to suit your taste preferences.
Keywords: Beef chimichangas, cheese chimichangas, Tex-Mex, baked chimichangas, skillet chimichangas, easy Mexican recipe