Description
It was one of those cozy Sunday afternoons; the scent of spices and sizzling meat wafted through my kitchen, tempting me like a warm embrace. As I flipped through my collection of family recipes, I stumbled upon the one that never fails to bring smiles around the dinner table: crispy beef and cheese chimichangas. I could almost hear the laughter of friends and family as we gathered, eagerly diving into these golden delights that are as satisfying to make as they are to devour.
These chimichangas are filled with a savory blend of seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, and melty cheese—all tucked into warm tortillas and fried to crispy perfection. They’re not just a quick fix for those hectic weeknights; they also freeze beautifully—making them a perfect choice for meal prep or a last-minute feast on Taco Tuesday. Trust me, once you try these easy beef and cheese chimichangas, they’ll become a cherished staple in your household too!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 6 10-inch flour tortillas
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1 can chopped jalapenos
- 2 cups shredded taco blend cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it's browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid to keep the filling from getting soggy.
- Combine the Filling: Add refried beans, chopped onion, minced garlic, and ½ cup tomato sauce to the skillet with the beef. Then, season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook for 5 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
- Warm the Tortillas: Microwave the flour tortillas for about 30 seconds until they are warm and pliable. This step makes folding the tortillas easier without tearing.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet, heat enough oil to submerge the chimichangas over medium-high heat. You'll know it's ready when a small piece of tortilla sizzles upon contact.
- Assemble the Chimichangas: Place a generous amount of filling in the center of each tortilla. Fold the ends over, roll it up tightly, and secure with a toothpick to keep everything contained during frying.
- Fry to Perfection: Carefully place each chimichanga in the hot oil, frying them until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once fried, remove the chimichangas and let them drain on paper towels to remove any excess grease.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, heat the remaining tomato sauce, green chilies, and jalapenos over medium heat. Stir and season to taste before taking off the heat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the warm sauce over the chimichangas, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like sour cream or guacamole.
Notes
- Watch the Frying Time: Keep a close eye on your chimichangas while frying; they can turn golden brown quickly, so don’t walk away!
- Avoid Soggy Filling: Drain excess liquid from the beef after browning to prevent moisture from making your chimichangas soggy and less crispy.
- Reheat for Best Texture: To maintain the crispy exterior after freezing, reheat chimichangas in the oven rather than the microwave—great for leftover crispy beef and cheese chimichangas!
- Proper Tortilla Warmth: Always warm your tortillas before wrapping. Slightly heating them makes them pliable and helps avoid tearing during assembly.
- Secure Well: Use toothpicks to secure the tortillas after filling; this helps keep them intact during frying and enhances the crispy finish.
- Customize to Taste: Don’t hesitate to play around with the filling! Add black olives or green onions for extra flavor in your crispy beef and cheese chimichangas.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Tex-Mex
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg