Description
These Crispy Jalapeno Popper Beef Taquitos combine spicy jalapenos, creamy cheese, and seasoned ground beef wrapped in crispy tortillas. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or a fun main dish, they deliver a delightful blend of heat, creaminess, and crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Taquito Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 2-4 jalapenos, seeded, deveined, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup salsa (medium for more of a kick)
- 2 cups freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese, divided
Assembly & Cooking
- 12 TortillaLand raw medium tortillas
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for extra crispiness)
Instructions
- Cook the filling: Add ground beef, diced jalapenos, and chopped onions to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the onions become soft and the beef is fully cooked. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, then drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season and mix cheese: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and dried oregano. Next, add salsa and softened cream cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the cream cheese melts completely. Stir in 1 cup of freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese until melted, then remove the mixture from heat.
- Assemble the taquitos: Lay out each raw tortilla and add a heaping 1/4 cup of the beef and cheese filling to the bottom third of the tortilla. Top the filling with about a tablespoon of the remaining Pepper Jack cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling, securing them into tight cylinders.
- Cook the taquitos: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; this step is optional but helps achieve extra crispiness. Working in batches, place the rolled taquitos seam side down in the skillet. Cook, turning as needed, until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of jalapenos to control the spiciness of the taquitos.
- For a milder salsa, choose a mild variety; for more heat, medium or hot salsa works well.
- If you prefer baking over stovetop cooking, you can bake taquitos at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
- Make sure to roll the tortillas tightly to prevent filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Using raw tortillas specifically designed for frying or baking will yield the best texture.
