Description
Crispy, baked cheesy beef taquitos that are easy to make and full of bold Mexican flavors. Ground beef is seasoned with taco spices, blended with creamy cheeses and salsa, then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish for gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef (about 90 to 93% lean)
- 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning (any spice or sodium level)
- 4 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (or a shredded Mexican cheese blend, Monterrey Jack, etc.)
- 1/2 cup red salsa
Assembly
- 8 flour tortillas (or as needed)
- Cooking spray for baking pan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish or baking pan with cooking spray; set aside to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it as it cooks, until browned and fully cooked through.
- Season Beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the cooked beef without draining the excess fat, then stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Add Cheese to Meat: Turn off the heat, then add the shredded pepper Jack cheese and stir until the cheese begins to melt and integrates into the beef mixture.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Stir in the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and red salsa until everything is evenly combined into a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Prepare Tortillas: If tortillas are stiff, microwave them for about 10 seconds to make them pliable and easier to roll without breaking.
- Assemble Taquitos: Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture in a vertical strip down one side of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly into a taquito and place seam-side down in the prepared baking pan. Use any extra filling to make more taquitos if desired.
- Bake Taquitos: Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until taquitos are lightly browned and crispy on the outside.
- Serve and Store: Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or your favorite garnishes. Taquitos are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
Notes
- Microwaving tortillas briefly before rolling helps prevent them from cracking or breaking.
- Don’t overfill taquitos to avoid breaking; 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling per tortilla works best.
- You can substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas if preferred, but flour tortillas tend to roll better for baking.
- Leftover taquitos reheat well in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Adjust taco seasoning spice level based on your preference for mild or spicy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
