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Cheesy Beef Baked Taquitos Recipe

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4.9 from 52 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Units Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Add Cheese: Fold in the shredded cheese into the warm beef mixture until evenly incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
  5. Prepare Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute to soften and make them pliable for rolling.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.