Description
These Baked Cheesy Beef Taquitos are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or meal, featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with cream cheese, sour cream, and pepper Jack cheese, all rolled up in soft flour tortillas and baked to crispy perfection. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or party snack, they offer cheesy, flavorful bites that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef (about 90 to 93% lean)
- 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning (any spice or sodium level)
- 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, Monterey Jack, etc.)
- 1/2 cup red salsa
Assembly
- 8 flour tortillas (or as needed)
- Cooking spray (for greasing the baking pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish or baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon to ensure even cooking.
- Add taco seasoning: Evenly sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef without draining the fat, then stir well to combine.
- Incorporate the cheeses: Turn off the heat and add shredded pepper Jack cheese to the beef mixture, stirring until melted and well combined.
- Add cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa: Mix in the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and red salsa until everything is evenly blended into a creamy filling.
- Prepare the tortillas: If your tortillas are stiff, microwave each for 10 seconds to soften and make them more pliable for rolling.
- Fill and roll the taquitos: Place about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture in a vertical strip down one side of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly into a taquito shape to keep the filling secure.
- Arrange and bake: Place the rolled taquitos seam side down in the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the taquitos are lightly browned and crispy.
- Serve and garnish: Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or your favorite garnishes. Enjoy immediately for best texture. Store leftovers airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Notes
- If tortillas are too stiff to roll without cracking, warm them slightly in the microwave to make them pliable.
- Do not overfill tortillas to prevent breaking during rolling and baking.
- Using lean beef helps reduce excess grease, but some fat remains to keep taquitos moist.
- Customize the cheese blend according to your preference—Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend works well.
- Taquitos are best served fresh and warm to preserve their crispy texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
