Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 ounce taco seasoning, packet
- 1/4 cup water
- 12 corn tortillas, 6-inch
- 2 cups quesadilla cheese, shredded
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Once the ground beef is cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the pan.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Add the taco seasoning packet and 1/4 cup of water to the cooked ground beef in the pan. Stir thoroughly to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Continue to cook the beef mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the water has evaporated and the mixture is well-seasoned, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
To prepare the tortillas for rolling, briefly warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds (or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds) to make them more pliable and prevent cracking. Lay a warmed corn tortilla flat on a clean surface.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded quesadilla cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Place about 2 tablespoons of the seasoned ground beef filling on top of the cheese, slightly off-center towards the edge you will start rolling from.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Tightly roll the tortilla from the filled side to form a taquito, ensuring the filling is securely enclosed. Place the rolled taquito seam-side down on a plate.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Repeat steps 5-8 for the remaining tortillas and filling until all taquitos are assembled.
⏱️ 8 min - 10
In a separate large, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 cups of vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to partially submerge the taquitos for frying.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 11
Carefully place 3-4 rolled taquitos into the hot oil, seam-side down first to help seal them. Do not overcrowd the pan.
⏱️ 1 min
- 12
Fry the taquitos, turning occasionally with tongs, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per batch.
⏱️ 4 min
- 13
Remove the taquitos from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 ounce taco seasoning, packet
- 1/4 cup water
- 12 corn tortillas, 6-inch
- 2 cups quesadilla cheese, shredded
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Once the ground beef is cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the pan.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Add the taco seasoning packet and 1/4 cup of water to the cooked ground beef in the pan. Stir thoroughly to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Continue to cook the beef mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the water has evaporated and the mixture is well-seasoned, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 5
To prepare the tortillas for rolling, briefly warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds (or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds) to make them more pliable and prevent cracking. Lay a warmed corn tortilla flat on a clean surface.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded quesadilla cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Place about 2 tablespoons of the seasoned ground beef filling on top of the cheese, slightly off-center towards the edge you will start rolling from.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Tightly roll the tortilla from the filled side to form a taquito, ensuring the filling is securely enclosed. Place the rolled taquito seam-side down on a plate.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Repeat steps 5-8 for the remaining tortillas and filling until all taquitos are assembled.
⏱️ 8 min - 10
In a separate large, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 cups of vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to partially submerge the taquitos for frying.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 11
Carefully place 3-4 rolled taquitos into the hot oil, seam-side down first to help seal them. Do not overcrowd the pan.
⏱️ 1 min - 12
Fry the taquitos, turning occasionally with tongs, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per batch.
⏱️ 4 min - 13
Remove the taquitos from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
⏱️ 2 min