Savory Beef and Cheese Chimichangas

As seen in: Evening Meals That Deliver Results

Chimichangas stuffed with beef and cheese make a speedy and tasty choice for busy weeknights or social events. Mix ground beef with refried beans, onions, and seasonings, then roll everything in tortillas and fry until they turn crisp and golden. A zingy sauce blending tomatoes, green chilies, and jalapeños adds extra punch before you sprinkle cheese on top to finish. Serve these filling chimichangas hot and watch your guests rave about them even though they took hardly any work.

Sarah Crisp
Contributed By Sarah Crisp
Last modified on Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:05:16 GMT
Two beef and cheese chimichangas on a plate. Save This
Two beef and cheese chimichangas on a plate. | cookrisp.com

My beef and cheese chimichanga solution works wonders for crazy nights when the family's starving and I'm short on time. The outside gets super crunchy while hiding a juicy, flavorful inside that brings restaurant-quality Mexican taste straight to your dinner table.

The first time I whipped these up, surprise visitors had just knocked on my door. What started as panic cooking has turned into a family favorite, with my kids now begging for "those crunchy taco wraps" at least twice every month.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 1½ pounds gives you that filling protein punch for real Mexican taste
  • Refried beans: add smoothness and hold everything together nicely
  • Onion and garlic: create the tasty base that makes everything pop
  • Chili powder, cumin and oregano: bring that authentic Mexican flavor combo
  • Flour tortillas: grab the 10 inch ones so they'll fold right and cook evenly
  • Tomato sauce: works as the main part of your topping and adds a nice tang
  • Green chilis and jalapenos: give depth and let you control how spicy you want it
  • Shredded taco cheese: gets all gooey on top of your hot chimichangas

Cooking Instructions

Cook Your Beef:
Brown ground beef on medium high until there's no pink left, about 7 minutes. Don't forget to drain the fat after or you'll end up with soggy chimichangas and greasy flavor.
Mix Up The Filling:
Throw in refried beans, diced onion, garlic, spices and ½ cup tomato sauce with the beef. Cook it all for 5 minutes while stirring often so everything gets friendly and the onions soften up nice.
Get Tortillas Ready:
Warm them in the microwave for about 30 seconds till they're bendy. Warm tortillas won't crack when you fold them and they'll stay closed better.
Get Oil Hot:
Pour about an inch of oil in a deep pan and heat till it's around 350°F. It should shimmer a bit but not start smoking.
Load And Wrap:
Put filling in the middle of each tortilla then fold one end over, tuck in the sides, and roll it up like a little package. A toothpick helps keep everything from falling apart in the oil.
Fry Them Up:
Fry till they're golden and crunchy, about 2 minutes each side. Watch them closely or they'll burn in a flash.
Let Oil Drip Off:
Put fried chimichangas on paper towels for a minute or two so extra oil can drain away and they'll stay nice and crispy.
Whip Up The Sauce:
Heat the rest of your tomato sauce with green chilis and jalapenos till warm, around 3 minutes. This makes a yummy topping that adds moisture to your crunchy wraps.
Finish And Serve:
Pour warm sauce over chimichangas, sprinkle cheese on top, and serve right away while they're still crunchy and the cheese starts getting melty.
Two beef and cheese chimichangas on a plate. Save This
Two beef and cheese chimichangas on a plate. | cookrisp.com

Green chilis in the sauce are my hidden trick. My grandma showed me years back how their mild tang perfectly balances the rich beef and cheese. Now at family get-togethers, everyone tries to figure out what that special flavor is but can't quite name it.

Make Ahead Options

You can make the filling up to two days early and keep it in the fridge. It actually tastes better this way since the spices get more time to mix together. Just warm it up a bit before putting it in tortillas and frying. The sauce keeps well too and just needs heating when you're ready. For busy weeknights, having the filling already done turns this into a quick 15 minute dinner from fridge to plate.

Serving Suggestions

These taste amazing with some Mexican rice and a basic green salad to round out your meal. Want to impress guests? Put out small dishes of guacamole, sour cream, and extra cheese so everyone can dress up their own plate. I always toss some lime wedges on the side too - the tanginess cuts through the rich flavors and makes everything pop. For parties, try making tiny ones with small tortillas as finger food.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground turkey works great instead of beef if you want something lighter. Going vegetarian? Skip the meat and use an extra can of beans plus some cooked bell peppers and corn. You can try corn tortillas instead of flour but they're trickier to roll without breaking. No refried beans? Just mash up some black or pinto beans with a fork and you'll get pretty much the same texture. If you like things spicy, swap some of the green chilis for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Common Queries

→ Can I bake the chimichangas instead of frying them?

You can definitely bake them for a lighter version. Just coat each tortilla with oil, set them on a baking sheet, and cook at 400°F for around 20-25 minutes until they're crispy and golden.

→ What is the best way to reheat chimichangas?

Warm them up in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep them crunchy. Don't use the microwave as they'll end up soggy.

→ Can I use a different type of meat?

Sure thing. You can swap ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, or pork to change up the taste.

→ What toppings go well with chimichangas?

A dollop of sour cream, some guacamole, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and fresh cilantro all make your chimichangas taste even better.

→ Can I freeze chimichangas for later use?

You bet. Just wrap each one in foil or plastic, put them in an airtight container, and they'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Heat them in the oven when you're ready to eat.

→ Can I make these chimichangas vegetarian?

Sure can. Just use crumbled tofu or fake meat with the refried beans, and throw in some extra veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for a meat-free option.

Beefy Cheese Chimichangas

Golden chimichangas packed with beef and cheese for tasty family dinners.

Preparation Time
15 Minutes Required
Cooking Duration
20 Minutes Required
Overall Time
35 Minutes Required
Contributed By: Sarah Crisp

Recipe Type: Dinner Victories

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: Mexican

Serving Size: 10 Number of Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You’ll Need

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 ½ lbs ground beef
02 1 can refried beans
03 ½ medium onion, diced
04 2 tsp crushed garlic
05 2 tsp chili powder
06 1 tsp cumin
07 ½ tsp oregano
08 10 10-inch flour tortillas
09 24 oz tomato sauce
10 4 oz canned diced green chilis
11 4 oz canned chopped jalapeños
12 1 ½ cups taco cheese mix
13 Salt and pepper as needed
14 Oil for frying

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Put ground beef in a skillet on medium-high heat. Cook till completely brown and pour off any extra liquid.

Step 02

Toss the beans, onion, garlic, ½ cup tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, plus some salt and pepper into the skillet with your cooked beef. Let it simmer for 5 minutes on medium, stirring everything together.

Step 03

Pop the tortillas in the microwave till they're soft and pliable.

Step 04

Add about an inch of oil to a deep skillet and warm it up on medium-high heat.

Step 05

Spoon filling into each tortilla's center. Fold one side over, tuck in the edges, then roll it all up like a bundle. Stick a toothpick in to hold it together.

Step 06

Drop your bundles into hot oil and fry till they're golden and crunchy on all sides. Set them on paper towels to soak up extra oil.

Step 07

Mix leftover tomato sauce with green chilis and jalapeños in a saucepan over medium heat. Add some salt and pepper and warm it all through.

Step 08

Pour the hot sauce over your crispy bundles. Sprinkle with cheese and serve while everything's still hot.

Tools to Have

  • Skillet
  • Microwave
  • Deep-sided skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Toothpicks
  • Saucepan

Allergen Information

Double-check ingredients for allergens, and seek medical guidance if necessary.
  • Has dairy from cheese
  • Contains gluten in the flour tortillas

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These figures are estimates and shouldn’t replace professional health advice.
  • Calories Per Serving: 365
  • Fat Content: 19 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 22 grams
  • Protein Amount: 26 grams