Easy Baked Cheesy Beef Taquitos Recipe for Family Dinners

Crispy, golden taquitos bursting with cheesy beef flavor promise a mouthwatering adventure that’ll make dinner irresistible.

Rolled tortillas packed with savory ground beef and melted cheese create the ultimate comfort food.

These baked taquitos bring restaurant-style magic right to your kitchen.

The simple yet delicious recipe guarantees a crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in minutes.

Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

You’ll love how effortlessly these taquitos transform a basic ingredient list into something spectacular.

Why These Beef Taquitos Hit the Spot

• Packed with melted cheese, seasoned beef, and zesty salsa, these taquitos guarantee a taste bud party that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
• Great for game day, potlucks, kids' parties, or casual gatherings, these taquitos adapt to any social setting with their irresistible appeal.
• Easily swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to suit different preferences, making it a flexible recipe that keeps everyone happy.

Beef Taquitos Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: A lean protein that serves as the primary filling for the taquitos and provides hearty flavor.

• Shredded Cheese, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream: These dairy ingredients add richness, creaminess, and help bind the filling together while enhancing the overall taste.

• Taco Seasoning, Salsa: These ingredients add depth of flavor, spice, and moisture to the beef mixture, creating a zesty and delicious filling.

• Tortillas, Cooking Spray: Soft tortillas form the crispy exterior of the taquitos, while cooking spray helps achieve a golden brown and non-stick finish.

• Fresh Cilantro, Lime, Guacamole, Extra Salsa: These accompaniments provide fresh, bright flavors and additional texture to complement the taquitos.

Steps to Make Cheesy Taquitos

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to sizzling temperature at 375°F.

Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame.

Toss in the ground beef and break it into tiny crumbles as it cooks.

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat and mix thoroughly until it’s perfectly cooked and fragrant.

Step 3: Create Cheesy Goodness

Remove skillet from heat.

• Shredded cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream

Blend everything until the mixture becomes wonderfully creamy and smooth.

Step 4: Add Zesty Flavor

Pour in salsa and give everything a good stir.

This step brings extra moisture and tang to your filling.

Step 5: Wrap the Taquitos

Soften tortillas briefly in the microwave.

Spread 2-3 tablespoons of beef mixture along one side of each tortilla.

Roll tightly, ensuring the filling stays securely inside.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange rolled taquitos seam-side down in the baking dish.

Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil.

Slide into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden and crispy.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Pull out your taquitos and plate them immediately.

Garnish with fresh cilantro, extra salsa, guacamole, and a lime wedge for that restaurant-style presentation.

Handy Tips for Taquito Success

• Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave for 10 seconds to make them more pliable and less likely to crack when rolling.
• Use 2-3 tablespoons of beef mixture per tortilla to ensure easy rolling and prevent bursting during baking.
• Lightly spray taquitos with cooking spray before baking to help achieve a golden, crunchy exterior.
• Select ground beef with lower fat content to minimize excess grease and maintain a lighter texture.
• Experiment with different types of salsa or add chopped jalapeños for a personalized spice level and taste variation.

Save and Warm Up Taquitos the Right Way

• Store cooled taquitos in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual taquitos tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange taquitos on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Bake frozen taquitos for 15-20 minutes, or refrigerated ones for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
• Place 2-3 taquitos on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 1-2 minutes, rotating halfway. Note that microwaving may soften the crispy exterior, so oven reheating is preferred for texture.

Best Sides with Cheesy Taquitos

• Zest Up the Pairing: Fresh Margarita Cocktail pairs brilliantly with these cheesy beef taquitos, cutting through the richness with tangy lime and tequila notes.
• Creamy Cool Complement: Homemade ranch dressing works perfectly as a dipping sauce, balancing the spicy beef with its smooth, herbal undertones.
• Bright Side Salsa: Mexican street-style corn salsa adds vibrant freshness, offering a crisp contrast to the warm, melted cheese inside the taquitos.
• Refreshing Beverage Boost: Mexican beer like Modelo or Corona provides a light, crisp accompaniment that cleanses the palate between bites of these hearty taquitos.

Spin-Offs for Beef Taquito Recipe

• Vegetarian Taquitos: Replace ground beef with black beans, diced bell peppers, and corn. Use plant-based cheese for a protein-packed, meat-free option that's equally delicious and satisfying.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular tortillas for corn tortillas and ensure taco seasoning is gluten-free. This modification makes the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising flavor.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas. Wrap the beef and cheese mixture in crisp romaine or butter lettuce for a lighter, carbohydrate-reduced meal that's still full of zesty goodness.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced fresh jalapeños to the beef mixture or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for those who love extra heat. This variation brings a fiery punch to the classic taquito recipe.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly. Just ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned similarly to keep the same flavor profile.

• Do I need corn or flour tortillas?

Flour tortillas work best for this recipe. They roll easier and get crispier without breaking compared to corn tortillas.

• How do I prevent my taquitos from unrolling while baking?

Place taquitos seam-side down in the baking dish. This helps them stay closed and prevents filling from leaking during baking.

• Can I make these taquitos ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling and roll taquitos in advance. Store them in the refrigerator, covered, and bake just before serving for maximum crispiness.

Baked Cheesy Beef Taquitos Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Mexican Baked Cheesy Beef Taquitos deliver crispy comfort wrapped in golden tortillas. Packed with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, these irresistible rolls promise a flavor-packed experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (about 90 to 93% lean)

Cheese and Dairy:

• 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.)

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 ounce package taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup red salsa
• 8 flour tortillas (or as needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 375°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent adhesion and promote crispy exterior.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the ground beef and cook thoroughly for 5-7 minutes until completely browned, then incorporate taco seasoning, mixing evenly.
3. Remove beef from heat and blend shredded cheese into the warm meat, allowing it to melt smoothly. Subsequently, fold in cream cheese and sour cream until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
4. Introduce salsa to the beef mixture, stirring to distribute flavors and create a cohesive filling with balanced moisture.
5. Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave to enhance flexibility. Distribute filling evenly along one edge of each tortilla, ensuring moderate portion to prevent overstuffing and potential bursting during baking.
6. Tightly roll each tortilla into a compact cylinder, positioning them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Lightly mist the taquitos with cooking spray to encourage golden browning.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the exterior transforms into a crisp, golden-brown shell. Serve immediately with complementary accompaniments like fresh salsa, guacamole, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of the taquitos.
• Warm tortillas slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
• Consider using whole wheat or low-carb tortillas for a more nutritious alternative that still delivers delicious flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 765mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 80mg