Description
Enjoy crispy chimichangas filled with seasoned beef, refried beans, and melting cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day spreads.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred for flavor and enough fat)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa (mild to medium, adjust to taste)
- 1 cup refried beans (canned or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
- 6 large flour tortillas (10–12 inch)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for brushing or shallow baking)
- 2–3 tbsp more vegetable oil if pan-frying
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease into a heatproof container.
- Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and salsa. Reduce heat and simmer 3–4 minutes so flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.
- Lay a tortilla flat. Spread about 2–3 tablespoons of refried beans in the center, leaving a 1–2 inch border. Top with a portion of the beef mixture (about 1/6 of the mixture) and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Fold the short sides over the filling, then roll tightly from one long edge to the other, keeping the seam underneath. If tortillas are cracking, warm them briefly in the microwave (10–15 seconds) to make them pliable.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) for baking. Place chimichangas seam‑side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Brush each lightly with vegetable oil. Bake for 18–20 minutes until crisp and golden, flipping once if you want even coloring.
- Heat 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high for skillet frying. Add chimichangas seam‑side down and cook until each side is golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper‑towel lined rack briefly to drain excess oil.
- Let rest for 2 minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly. Top with your favorite garnishes and enjoy.
Notes
Keep tortillas pliable by warming them briefly to prevent cracks. Don’t overfill the tortillas for better cooking results. You can either bake or pan-fry based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican