If you love crispy, cheesy, and flavorful snacks, then you’re going to adore this Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe. These rolled-up delights combine seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and perfectly crisp baked corn tortillas for a simple, satisfying meal or snack that’s ready in under an hour. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a go-to for family dinners, parties, or anytime you crave that irresistible Tex-Mex flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Crispy Texture: Baking the taquitos instead of frying gives you that crunch with less oil and hassle.
- Simple Ingredients: Everyday pantry staples come together for a flavor-packed filling you can whip up in minutes.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike can’t resist these cheesy, savory bites — great for game days or casual dinners.
- Versatile and Customizable: Easily swap spices, add veggies, or change cheeses to suit your taste buds or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in bringing out vibrant flavors and textures. From the tender ground beef to the zesty enchilada sauce and, of course, the gooey cheese, every component adds something special to the plate.
- Ground Beef (96/4): Lean to keep the filling juicy but not greasy, providing rich savory flavor.
- Olive Oil: Just a splash to sauté the onions and ensure everything cooks evenly.
- White Onion: Finely diced for a subtle sweetness and mild crunch in every bite.
- Garlic: Freshly minced to add an aromatic punch that pairs beautifully with the spices.
- Chili Powder & Cumin: Classic Tex-Mex spices that bring warmth and earthiness.
- Oregano & Black Pepper: Enhance the complexity while keeping the flavor balanced.
- Enchilada Sauce: Adds moisture and a tangy depth that ties the filling together.
- Shredded Cheese: The star ingredient for melty, gooey goodness inside each taquito.
- Extra Thin Corn Tortillas: Flexible and perfect for rolling, they crisp up beautifully when baked.
Variations
This recipe is incredibly adaptable, which makes it super fun to experiment with! Whether you want to cater to dietary preferences or just mix up the flavors, there are plenty of ways to make this Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe your own.
- Veggie Boost: Add finely diced bell peppers, corn, or spinach to the beef mixture for extra nutrients and color.
- Spice It Up: Include a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce in the filling if you like a little heat.
- Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend to change the melty texture and taste.
- Make It Chicken: Use shredded cooked chicken instead of beef for a lighter, protein-packed option.
How to Make Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF and lining a large baking sheet with some cooking spray. This step ensures your taquitos will bake evenly and get that perfect golden crust without sticking to the pan. It’s a small detail that makes cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, pushing it to the sides, then add the ground beef in the center. Let the beef brown on one side for 4–5 minutes before flipping it to cook the other side for 3–4 more minutes. While the beef cooks, stir the garlic into the onions around the edges. This technique layers flavors beautifully and gives you tender veggies plus rich meat taste.
Step 3: Season and Mix
Once the beef is fully browned, sprinkle in the chili powder, oregano, cumin, black pepper, kosher salt, and pour in the enchilada sauce. Stir everything together until the spices coat the meat and the sauce adds a wonderful tangy warmth. Turn off the heat and then stir in the shredded cheese so it melts slightly and binds the filling.
Step 4: Warm Tortillas and Roll Taquitos
Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 1 minute to make them pliable. This step is key to rolling without cracking. Scoop a generous spoonful of the beef mixture onto each tortilla, roll tightly, and place them seam side down on your prepped baking sheet. This ensures they hold together perfectly while baking.
Step 5: Bake Until Crispy
Spray a light mist of cooking spray over the taquitos and bake at 400ºF for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. The baking brings out a delightful crunch while keeping the cheesy filling warm and melty inside — pure comfort food magic.
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe
- Use Extra Thin Tortillas: Thinner corn tortillas crisp up better and are easier to roll without cracking.
- Don’t Skip the Tortilla Warm-Up: Microwaving them with a damp paper towel prevents breakage when rolling your taquitos.
- Seal with Cooking Spray: Spraying the rolled taquitos before baking helps achieve the perfect crispy exterior.
- Don’t Overfill: Adding too much filling causes cracking and leaking during baking, so keep portions moderate.
How to Serve Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe
Garnishes
These taquitos come alive when paired with fresh, vibrant garnishes. Think creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, and zesty salsa roja or verde. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice add a perfect pop of brightness that balances the richness of the cheesy beef filling.
Side Dishes
For a full meal, serve your Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe alongside simple Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp side salad with avocado. These sides complement the flavors and textures, making your feast well-rounded and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by arranging taquitos vertically in a tall glass for a fun appetizer platter or stacking them pyramid-style on a serving board. Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce or crema, and add edible flowers or microgreens for an eye-catching touch — ideal for impressing guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain their crispness, reheat them in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! Before baking, place rolled taquitos on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months and bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
The best way to reheat your taquitos is in the oven at 375ºF for 8-10 minutes or in an air fryer—this restores that irresistible crunch without drying them out like the microwave sometimes does.
FAQs
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Can I make these taquitos vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the ground beef with cooked black beans, lentils, or a meatless crumbled alternative, then season the filling the same way. Adding some sautéed veggies like mushrooms or zucchini also boosts flavor and texture.
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What type of cheese works best for this recipe?
Feel free to experiment, but mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend melt wonderfully and complement the spices perfectly. For a little extra kick, pepper jack cheese is a great choice.
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Can I fry taquitos instead of baking them?
Yes, frying taquitos is traditional and yields a crispier texture but involves more oil and mess. Baking is a healthier, hands-off way to get crisp results with less cleanup.
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How do I prevent my corn tortillas from cracking when rolling?
Warm the tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave before rolling. This softens them and reduces the chance of tearing or cracking dramatically.
Final Thoughts
Once you give this Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe a try, I’m confident it will become a beloved staple in your kitchen. The combination of cheesy goodness, spicy beef, and crunchy tortillas hits all the right notes for comfort food that everyone will rave about. So roll up your sleeves, invite some family or friends over, and get ready to enjoy every crispy, melty bite!
PrintCheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe
These Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos are a delicious and crispy Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and extra thin corn tortillas baked to golden perfection. They offer a cheesy, flavorful filling wrapped in crunchy baked tortillas, perfect for entertaining or a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 Taquitos
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb Ground Beef (96/4)
- 1/2 Tbsp (8g) Olive Oil
- 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
- 4 oz Shredded Cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Assembly
- 16 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and lightly spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking and to help the taquitos crisp during baking.
- Cook Beef and Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and push it to the sides of the skillet, then place the ground beef in the center. Brown one side of the beef for 4-5 minutes without stirring, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until browned. Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté around the edges while the beef finishes cooking. Use a spatula to break up the beef as it cooks completely.
- Season and Combine: Stir in the chili powder, kosher salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and enchilada sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors, then turn off the heat.
- Add Cheese: Fold in the shredded cheese into the warm beef mixture until evenly incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute to soften and make them pliable for rolling.
- Roll Taquitos: Spoon a portion of the beef and cheese filling onto each tortilla and roll tightly. Place each rolled taquito seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to keep them sealed during baking.
- Bake: Once all 16 taquitos are assembled on the sheet, spray them lightly with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. These can be enjoyed with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream as desired.
Notes
- Using extra thin corn tortillas helps them crisp up better in the oven compared to flour tortillas.
- Microwaving the tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel softens them, preventing cracking while rolling.
- For a spicier version, consider adding chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- These taquitos can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to bake time if baking cold.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
