Awesome Beef and Cheese Taquitos Recipe
These beef and cheese taquitos are one of the most versatile recipes that I’ve posted on FreshGains to date! They are perfect for an appetizer or as the main course of any lunch or dinner. They’re also a great option for meal prep.
Total Servings: 4
Total Cost: $34.21
Cost Per Serving: $8.55
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Costs*
1 lb ground beef ($5.93)
1/2 tbsp olive oil ($6.64)
1 white onion ($1.36)
2 tbsp minced garlic ($2.16)
2 tsp chili powder ($1.12)
1 tsp kosher salt ($2.12)
1 tsp oregano ($2.42)
1 tsp cumin ($1.28)
1/2 tsp pepper ($3.12)
8 oz red enchilada sauce ($1.98)
4 oz shredded Colby jack cheese ($2.24)
16 flour tortillas, taco size ($3.84)
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*Food costs may vary and can change over time. The prices listed were the current prices of these ingredients when this recipe was made at the time of this post. Almost all our ingredients are purchased from Walmart as we live in a small town without any other options. If you notice a significant price difference, please let us know at hello@freshgains.com so we can update this post.
FAQs About Beef and Cheese Taquitos
Can I make these taquitos in an air fryer instead of the oven?
Yes! You can use an air fryer instead of the oven. Air fry them at 375ºF for 10 to 12 minutes until the taquitos are golden brown. But note you will likely have to air fry these taquitos in batches to allow for proper air flow and even cooking. If the taquitos are touching or overlapping, they’re too close!
Can I use a different type of tortilla?
My personal preference is to make these taquitos with flour tortillas. I prefer flour tortillas to corn tortillas in just about any recipe. If you prefer corn tortillas, then they can be used as a substitute! However, I wouldn’t use any tortilla that’s larger or smaller than taco size.
What’s a good side to pair with these taquitos?
A few of my favorite sides to pair with these taquitos are refried beans, cilantro lime rice and black bean salad. Other popular choices are guacamole and chips and salsa.
How should I reheat these taquitos?
When these taquitos are stored properly and refrigerated in an airtight container, they will stay good for up to 5 days. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
When you’re ready to reheat these beef and cheese taquitos, I would recommend using an oven or air fryer. If you’re in a pinch, you can also reheat them in the microwave. But the microwave tends to create more soggy than crisp taquitos.
If you’re reheating them from frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Why are my taquitos breaking when I wrap them?
There are two reasons your taquitos may tear when you’re preparing them. First, you may not have warmed the tortillas enough in the microwave. The tortillas should be warmed enough so that they are hot to the touch. You can reduce the risk of underheating your tortillas by warming them in batches of 4 or 8 instead of microwaving all 16 at once. This will reduce the risk of the tortillas cooling down before your finished preparing them.
The second reason taquitos tear is because they’re overfilled. This is less common, as the filling typically just spills out of the side. But tearing is also possible when they’re overstuffed.
Tips to Make the Best Taquitos
Consider other filling options: Rice, beans and diced peppers are great additions to these beef and cheese taquitos.
Consider making them creamy: Sour cream and cream cheese are great options to make these taquitos creamier. Simply spread a think layer of one or the other on each tortilla before adding the beef mixture and wrapping them.
Don’t skip the microwave: Warming the tortillas with a damp paper towel may seem like a small step, but it’s not one you want to overlook. As previously mentioned, if you don’t warm the tortillas, they will likely tear when you roll them.
Go light on the stuffing: If you’re making taquitos for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll overstuff them. Trust me, you’re not alone. Over time, I’ve found that the ideal amount of filling is about 2 tablespoons. Place 2 tablespoons in a line on one side of the tortillas then wrap tightly.
Awesome Beef and Cheese Taquitos Recipe
Equipment
- 1 jumbo cooker
- 1 Oven
- 1 Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 10 oz red enchilada sauce
- 4 oz shredded colby jack cheese
- 16 flour tortillas, taco size
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Heat olive oil in a large olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onions. Stir and brown the ground beef while sautéing the onions. Add the minced garlic when the beef is nearly browned and continue stirring to combine.
- Stir in the chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin and pepper, then turn off the heat.
- Add the shredded cheese and stir to combine.
- Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1 minute.
- Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Spray the top of the taquitos with baking spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes until crispy golden brown.
