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Crispy Beef Taquitos with Melted Cheese

These Crispy Beef Taquitos are golden-brown shells filled with savory beef and melted cheese, making them a perfect treat for busy weeknights or taco Tuesdays.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef Feel free to substitute turkey or chicken if you prefer.
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder Adjust according to your heat preference.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cheese Cheddar or Monterey Jack works wonderfully.
  • Oil for frying Vegetable or canola.
Optional Toppings
  • salsa For serving.
  • guacamole For serving.
  • sour cream For serving.

Method
 

Cooking the Beef
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until the onions are soft and translucent. Sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, mixing everything together. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
Preparing Tortillas
  1. Wrap your tortillas in a clean, damp paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds to warm them up. This step is essential; warm tortillas are much easier to roll without breaking!
Assembling Taquitos
  1. On each tortilla, place a couple of tablespoons of the beef mixture and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Roll them up tightly, starting from one end, and secure them with a toothpick if necessary.
Frying Taquitos
  1. In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place your taquitos seam-side down into the oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are fantastically golden and crispy.
Serving
  1. Transfer your fried taquitos to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve your crispy taquitos with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, or a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

These taquitos freeze well; let them cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes for a quick meal. For a lighter option, brush the taquitos with a little oil and bake at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for crispy perfection.