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Plate of crispy cheesy beef taquitos garnished with cilantro and served with salsa

Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos

Delicious homemade taquitos filled with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and wrapped in crispy tortillas, perfect for cozy evenings or game days.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 10 taquitos
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Filling
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85 to 90 percent lean) Use 93% lean for less splatter.
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning Store-bought or homemade.
Cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Use sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend.
Tortillas and Cooking Fat
  • 10 small corn tortillas 4 to 6 inch size, warm to avoid cracking.
  • as needed oil for frying Use neutral oil like canola or cooking spray for baking.
To Serve
  • as needed sour cream For dolloping or dipping.
  • as needed salsa Choose mild to hot, based on preference.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking or heat oil in a skillet for frying.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
  3. Drain excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning with a splash of water.
  4. Add shredded cheese to the beef and mix until melted.
  5. Warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave until pliable.
Filling and Cooking
  1. Spoon the beef and cheese mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla and roll tightly.
  2. For baking, arrange on a wire rack and lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until crisp.
  3. For frying, add taquitos to hot oil seam-side down, frying for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.
  4. Drain cooked taquitos on paper towels for 1 to 2 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve warm with sour cream and salsa, adding optional garnishes as desired.

Notes

For extra crunch, lightly brush taquitos with oil before baking. Optionally add ingredients like peppers or use different cheeses for variation.