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Beef Cheese Chimichangas That Are Perfectly Crispy and Cheesy

Beef Cheese Chimichangas That Are Perfectly Crispy and Cheesy

These Beef Cheese Chimichangas are the ultimate Tex-Mex comfort food, featuring a savory seasoned beef filling and plenty of melty cheese inside a golden, crispy tortilla. Whether you choose to pan-fry for maximum crunch or bake them for a lighter touch, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 510
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 lb ground beef browned
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning 1 oz
  • ½ cup salsa chunky
  • 1 cup refried beans creamy
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican-blend
  • 6 large flour tortillas burrito-size
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil for brushing

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Baking Sheet
  • Pastry Brush
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Begin by browning the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked and onions are soft.
  2. Carefully drain any excess grease from the pan to ensure the filling isn't oily.
  3. Add the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and salsa to the beef, simmering for 3 to 4 minutes to marry the flavors.
  4. Lay each flour tortilla flat and spread a layer of refried beans down the center of the surface.
  5. Place a generous portion of the seasoned beef mixture over the beans and top with plenty of shredded cheese.
  6. Fold the left and right sides of the tortilla inward, then roll tightly from the bottom to create a secure burrito shape.
  7. For the oven method, place seam-side down on a tray at 400°F, brush with oil, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden.
  8. For the skillet method, heat oil over medium heat and fry the chimichangas seam-side down for 2 to 3 minutes per side until very crispy.
  9. Allow the chimichangas to rest for 2 minutes before serving to let the cheese set.
  10. Plate with your favorite garnishes like cool sour cream, fresh guacamole, or extra salsa.

Notes

To ensure the best texture, always place the chimichangas seam-side down first to seal the tortilla shut. You can prepare the beef filling up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator to save time on busy weeknights. If you have leftovers, reheat them in an air fryer or oven rather than a microwave to maintain that signature crispy exterior.