Easy Crispy Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
These easy crispy beef and cheese chimichangas deliver bold Tex-Mex flavor with a perfectly crunchy exterior and a warm, cheesy filling of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheese. Restaurant-style comfort food made simple at home.
Equipment
- large skillet
- deep skillet or heavy pot
- tongs
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
- 1 cup refried beans
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
- vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease, then stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper until fragrant.
- Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles and the refried beans. Stir until evenly combined and heated through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup of filling onto each tortilla and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly burrito-style.
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chimichangas seam-side down in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Drain chimichangas on paper towels and serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
Do not overfill the tortillas to prevent tearing. Warm tortillas before rolling for easier assembly. Chimichangas can also be baked or air-fried for a lighter option. Serve immediately for best crispiness.
Nutrition
Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 22gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 3.2mg
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