Beef Taquitos

Craving restaurant-style taquitos without leaving your kitchen? These crispy, cheesy beef taquitos deliver all the crunch and flavor you’re dreaming of, ready in just 30 minutes flat. They’re the perfect mix of crispy exterior and creamy, spiced filling that’ll make any weeknight feel like a fiesta!

The secret to these irresistible taquitos lies in their perfectly seasoned beef filling, enriched with cream cheese for extra creaminess and pepper jack for that subtle kick. When they emerge from the oven with their golden-brown edges and crispy shells, you’ll understand why they disappear so quickly at every gathering.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (3 tablespoons)
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

For Assembly:

• 14-16 small tortillas (fajita size)
• Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil)
• Kosher or sea salt

Optional Toppings:

• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Cafe rio dressing
• Fresh cilantro
• Grated cheese

Steps

1. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and coat thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess grease through a fine-mesh strainer to prevent greasy taquitos.
3. Return beef to pan over medium heat. Add taco seasoning, cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese completely melts. The mixture should be thick but spreadable. Fold in pepper jack cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
4. Working quickly while mixture is warm, place 2-3 tablespoons filling along one side of each tortilla, about 1-inch from edge. Roll tightly – if tortillas crack, warm them briefly in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Place seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.
5. Spray taquitos generously with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt. This ensures even browning and creates that signature crispy exterior. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully after 15 minutes to prevent burning.

Smart Swaps

• Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheese to cut calories without sacrificing creaminess
• Try corn tortillas instead of flour for authentic flavor and gluten-free option
• Substitute ground turkey for beef to reduce fat content

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use low-carb tortillas (reduces carbs by 15g per serving)
• Replace cream cheese with light cream cheese (saves 30 calories per serving)
• Portion into smaller sizes using 6-inch tortillas
• Serve with avocado slices instead of sour cream to add healthy fats

Pro Tips

• Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracking
• Don’t overfill – 2-3 tablespoons is perfect
• Let filling cool slightly before rolling for easier handling
• Freeze unbaked taquitos for up to 3 months