Description
Craving a quick dinner that hits all the comfort-food notes? These Beef and Cheese Chimichangas are the ultimate in crispy, cheesy satisfaction. Made with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and golden-fried or baked flour tortillas, this easy recipe is perfect for family dinners, game day, or freezer-friendly meal prep. Whether you’re hunting for easy dinner ideas, hearty food ideas, or just a foolproof go-to, this is one of those meals you’ll make again and again. It’s a classic dinner idea with that craveable crunch.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.5 cup tomato sauce
0.5 teaspoon chili powder
0.5 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
Vegetable oil for frying (or brushing if baking)
Toothpicks (optional, for securing rolls)
Sour cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until browned and soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease.
2. Add minced garlic, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Turn off heat and stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Mix until fully melted. Let filling cool slightly.
4. Warm tortillas to make them pliable. Add beef-cheese filling to center of each, fold sides in, and roll into burritos. Use toothpicks if needed.
5. To fry: Heat 1 inch of oil in skillet. Fry seam-side down for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
6. To bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush chimichangas with oil and bake seam-side down for 20–25 minutes until crisp and golden.
7. Serve hot with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
Notes
Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracking.
Let the filling cool slightly before wrapping to avoid soggy tortillas.
Bake option is great for a lighter, hands-off version with less oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet or Oven
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg