Description
These Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos are a delicious and crispy Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal. Made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and warm corn tortillas, they are baked to golden perfection for a healthier alternative to frying. Perfect for parties or family dinners, these taquitos offer a flavorful, cheesy filling wrapped in crunchy, baked shells.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb Ground Beef (96/4)
- 1 (250g) White Onion, finely diced
- 5 cloves (25g) Garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup (120g) Enchilada Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp (8g) Olive Oil
- 4 oz Shredded Cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Assembly
- 16 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas
- Cooking Spray (for baking sheet and tops of taquitos)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) and lightly spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent the taquitos from sticking during baking.
- Cook Onions and Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion around the edges of the skillet and place the ground beef in the center. Allow the beef to brown undisturbed on one side for 4-5 minutes, then flip and continue browning for another 3-4 minutes. Use a spatula to mince and break up the beef, ensuring it cooks evenly.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir the minced garlic into the onions around the skillet edges while the beef cooks. Once the beef is fully cooked through, add chili powder, kosher salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and the enchilada sauce. Mix everything thoroughly, then take the skillet off the heat.
- Mix in Cheese: Stir the shredded cheese into the beef mixture until it melts evenly, creating a cheesy, savory filling. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly, which makes it easier to handle when assembling the taquitos.
- Soften Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute. This softens the tortillas, making them pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble Taquitos: Spoon an even amount of the beef and cheese mixture onto each softened tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to ensure they stay closed.
- Bake to Crisp: Lightly spray the tops of the rolled taquitos with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove from oven and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the taquitos for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Leftover taquitos store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat crisply in an air fryer or oven.
- Substitute with shredded chicken or beans for a different protein option.
- Use gluten-free corn tortillas if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa on the side for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
