Description
These Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos are a deliciously crispy and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and soft corn tortillas baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for a crowd, these taquitos are baked instead of fried, making them a lighter option while still delivering great taste and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 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 C (120g) Enchilada Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp (8g) Olive Oil
- 4 oz Shredded Cheese*
Assembly
- 16 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas
- Cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). 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 it and continue browning for another 3-4 minutes. Use a spatula to break the beef apart to ensure even cooking.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir the minced garlic into the onions around the edges of the skillet. Once the beef is fully cooked, add chili powder, kosher salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and enchilada sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Mix in Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese until it melts evenly into the beef mixture. Set the filling aside to cool slightly before assembling.
- Soften Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute. This makes them pliable and easier to roll without tearing or cracking.
- Assemble Taquitos: Spoon an even amount of the beef and cheese mixture onto each softened tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly and place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to keep them closed during baking.
- 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 the taquitos are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute shredded cheese with your favorite Mexican blend or cheddar.
- For extra crispiness, flip the taquitos halfway through baking.
- Use extra thin corn tortillas for best rolling results; thicker tortillas might crack.
- If you prefer a spicier filling, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
