Easy Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
A quick and flavorful meal featuring crispy fried tortillas stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. Simple to prepare and packed with bold American flavors, these chimichangas are ready in 40 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
6 large flour tortillas
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic until no longer pink
Stir in cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until well combined
Let mixture cool slightly before folding in shredded cheese
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave
Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling in each tortilla, fold in half, and fry in hot oil until golden and crispy (3-4 minutes per side)
Drain on paper towels and serve warm
Notes
Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to beef
Air fryer instructions: cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes
For gluten-free: use certified gluten-free tortillas
Dairy-free version: substitute vegan cheese
Optional toppings: avocado, lime, salsa