Description
Mexican culinary magic shines through these beef and cheese chimichangas, blending rich flavors and crispy textures. Hearty beef filling and melted cheese create a delightful experience you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) salsa
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, discarding any excess grease.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the meat mixture.
- Pour salsa into the skillet, allowing flavors to meld and simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Fold shredded cheese varieties into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution and partial melting.
- Place tortillas on a clean surface and center a portion of the beef and cheese filling, carefully folding the sides and rolling into compact packages.
- Heat cooking oil in a deep pan to 350°F, creating a consistent frying temperature for optimal browning.
- Carefully lower chimichangas into hot oil, frying each side until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer fried chimichangas to paper towel-lined plates to absorb excess oil and drain.
- Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by optional garnishes like sour cream, guacamole, or additional salsa.
Notes
- Handling Tortillas: Warm tortillas slightly before filling to prevent cracking and make them more pliable for rolling.
- Fat Management: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent greasy chimichangas and ensure a crisp exterior when frying.
- Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350F to achieve golden-brown, crispy shells without burning.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create lighter, leaner versions of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 519 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg