Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
If you’re a lover of crispy, savory, flavor-rich food, you’re going to be all in for these Beef and Cheese Chimichangas! They’re filled with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese, then crispy-fried to perfection pure indulgence in every bite. Trust me, you’re going to love this it’s a game-changer when you want something hearty, comforting, and a little festive. The best part? They’re surprisingly simple to put together at home!
Why You’ll Love Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
This recipe isn’t just about ingredients it’s about creating a moment of pure indulgence. Whether you’re serving them to guests or adding them to your dinner rotation, these chimichangas are sure to become a family favorite. Here’s why:
Versatile: Fill them with whatever you like ground beef, veggies, or even chicken.
Budget-Friendly: Few ingredients come together to make something rich and satisfying.
Quick and Easy: Prepare, fold, fry and dinner’s on the table in minutes.
Customizable: Season it to your taste, adding chili flakes or diced peppers.
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s pure, crispy, savory goodness — a universal favorite.
Ingredients
Here’s the magic of these crispy chimichangas it’s made with just a few simple ingredients, but the result is rich, hearty, and full of flavor. Let’s break it down:
Flour Tortillas: The crispy wrapper that holds all the goodness.
Ground Beef: Seasoned to perfection the hearty base of the filling.
Onion: Adds texture and a rich, savory flavor.
Garlic: Gives depth to the mixture.
Shredded Cheese: Melts into a creamy, rich center.
Taco Seasoning: Adds a nice blend of chili, cumin, and paprika.
Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste.
Oil: For crispy, deep-fried texture.

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these crispy, savory chimichangas:
Prepare Filling:
Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add diced onion, garlic, taco seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent.
Remove from heat and drain excess grease.
Assemble:
Spoon a few spoonfuls of the beef mixture into the center of a flour tortilla.
Top with shredded cheese.
Fold in the sides, then roll up tightly.
Fry:
Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
Using tongs, carefully lower chimichangas into the oil seam-side down.
Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden.
Drain:
Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve:
Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream whatever you like!
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 350
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
This crispy, savory meal is perfect:
With a side of Mexican rice and refried beans.
Topped with diced tomato, guacamole, and sour cream.
With a crispy green salad and a squeeze of lime.
As a festive dinner for a weekend treat.
Pair it with a cold Mexican soda or a margarita for a complete meal.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Don’t overfill it makes folding messy and prone to breakage.
Seal seams well to avoid filling from escaping during frying.
Make sure oil is hot enough to fry quickly without absorbing excess oil.
Consider adding chopped chili peppers or jalapeños for a bit of a kick.
For a lighter option, you can bake instead of fry just brush with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) until crispy.
FAQ’s
1. Could I use ground chicken instead of beef?
Of course — ground chicken or turkey are great alternatives.
2. Could I bake them instead of fry them?
Yes brush with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
3. Will this freeze well for later?
Yes you can freeze filled chimichangas and fry or bake them directly from freezing.
4. Could I add veggies to the filling?
Certainly diced peppers, zucchini, or sweet corn add nice texture.
5. How can I keep them crispy after cooking?
Turn on your oven to low (200°F or 95°C) and keep finished chimichangas warm there.
6. Could I use a different kind of cheese?
Of course cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack all work well.
7. Will flour or corn tortillas be better?
Flour is more flexible and less prone to breakage when folding.
8. How much oil should I use for deep-frying?
About 2-3 inches in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot.
9. Are these messy to eat?
They can be grab a knife and fork or wrap in foil if you’re on the go.
10. Could I add refried beans to the filling?
Certainly spreading a small amount of refried beans first adds richness.
Conclusion
Beef and Cheese Chimichangas are pure crispy, savory happiness perfect for a weekend dinner, a festive gathering, or a comforting treat any time you want something rich and indulgent. So grab your ingredients, fold up those chimichangas, and let’s bring a bit of Mexican restaurant magic into your own home!
Print
Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 chimichangas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Beef and Cheese Chimichangas are crispy, deep-fried flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and savory spices — a hearty, Mexican-inspired meal perfect for dinner or a festive gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
- Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Remove from heat and fold in shredded cheddar.
- Spoon mixture into center of each tortilla and fold into chimichanga.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chimichangas in batches until crispy and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter option, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes instead of deep-frying.
- Add diced green chilies or jalapeños for a spicier kick.
- Pair with Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chimichangas, ground beef, Mexican food, crispy, deep-fried, cheddar