Description
These Rolled Taquitos with Ground Beef are a crispy, flavorful Mexican main course featuring seasoned ground beef and melted cheeses wrapped in warm corn tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying homemade meal, these taquitos can be served with classic toppings like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded lettuce.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Taquitos
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely chopped onion until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until the spices become fragrant.
- Simmer with Tomato Sauce: Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and fully combined with the beef mixture.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to make them pliable and easier to roll.
- Fill and Roll Taquitos: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure with toothpicks if necessary to hold their shape.
- Fry Taquitos: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the rolled taquitos in batches, seam side down, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer fried taquitos to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Remove toothpicks before serving.
- Serve: Serve the taquitos warm with your choice of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded lettuce for garnish.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, bake the rolled taquitos in a preheated 425°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, placing them seam side down on a baking sheet brushed lightly with oil, until crisp.
- You can substitute shredded chicken for ground beef if you prefer a poultry option.
