🔥 Golden, Crunchy, and Oozing with Cheesy Goodness!
These Beef & Cheese Chimichangas deliver maximum flavor and crunch—a perfect fusion of juicy spiced beef, melted cheese, and a crispy fried tortilla shell. Serve them with all your favorite Tex-Mex toppings for an irresistible meal!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Crispy perfection – Golden-fried tortillas with a tender, cheesy filling
✅ Quick & easy – Ready in 30 minutes
✅ Customizable – Swap beef for chicken, beans, or veggies
✅ Crowd-pleaser – Great for game day, parties, or weeknight dinners
📋 Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
For Assembly & Frying
- 8 large flour tortillas (10-inch, burrito-size)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or more as needed)
For Serving
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Extra cilantro & lime wedges
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Beef Filling
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat (5–7 mins). Drain excess fat.
- Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 min until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and mix in cheeses & cilantro.
2️⃣ Assemble the Chimichangas
- Warm tortillas (microwave 15 sec or skillet 10 sec per side) for flexibility.
- Spoon ⅓ cup filling onto each tortilla.
- Fold sides in, then roll tightly from the bottom, keeping the seam down.
3️⃣ Fry to Crispy Perfection
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry chimichangas seam-side down first, 2–3 mins per side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
4️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Slice in half or serve whole.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
💡 Pro Tips for Success
🔹 Keep oil hot but not smoking – Ensures crispiness without burning.
🔹 Don’t overfill – Prevents bursting while frying.
🔹 Baking option – Brush with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 mins (flip halfway).
🔹 Make ahead – Assemble (but don’t fry) and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
✨ Pair with:
- Mexican rice & refried beans
- Ice-cold cerveza or margaritas
- Pickled jalapeños for extra heat
🎉 Perfect for:
- Taco Tuesday upgrades
- Game day snacks
- Quick family dinners
🌶 Flavor Variations
- Spicy version – Add diced jalapeños to the filling.
- Chicken chimichangas – Use shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetarian – Swap beef for black beans + sweet potatoes.
📊 Nutrition (Per Chimichanga)
Approximate values:
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fat: 28g
🎉 Final Thoughts
These Beef & Cheese Chimichangas are crispy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors—everything you love about Tex-Mex in one irresistible package! Fry them up for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Chef’s secret: For extra crunch, double-fry (cool 5 mins, then fry again 1 min per side).
Made these? Tag #CrispyChimis to show off your feast! 📸🔥
Want an air-fryer version? Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 mins, flipping halfway! 😊
