Bean and Cheese Chimichangas (25 Minutes)

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Introducing flavorful and easy-to-make bean and cheese chimichangas! This dish is a Mexican-inspired delicacy consisting of a crispy tortilla shell filled with beans and melted cheese. You can customize this recipe to your liking by adding your favorite toppings such as avocado, salsa, or sour cream. Let’s dive in!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 chimichangas 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 can of refried beans
  • 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix the refried beans, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. Divide the bean mixture evenly among the tortillas and top with shredded cheese.
  4. Fold the sides of each tortilla towards the center and then roll up from the bottom to make a tight bundle.
  5. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  6. Place the chimichangas seam-side down in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Transfer the chimichangas to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
  8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Make sure to fold the tortilla tightly to prevent the filling from falling out while cooking. Feel free to try these with ground beef or chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, or really whatever fits your fancy. You can also assemble these in advance and then cook as needed throughout the week for a quick meal. Yum!

*The following nutritional information is based on estimates.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
  • Calories: 464
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 1164mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 53g
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Protein: 19g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Pair this with...

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Grab some store-bought corn tortillas and cut each one into 6 or 8 wedges. Heat up about an inch of vegetable or canola oil in a large frying pan until it's shimmering, but not smoking. Carefully drop the tortilla wedges into the hot oil in batches, so they don't overlap. Fry them until they're golden brown, which will take about 2-3 minutes per side. Once they're perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. While they're still warm, sprinkle a bit of salt over the top. There you go!

Guacamole

Start with ripe avocados - when you give them a gentle squeeze, they should have a little give, but not feel mushy. Halve and pit them, scooping out their green goodness into a bowl. Now, add the juice of a fresh lime. This brightens the flavor and helps keep that vibrant green color. Toss in a finely chopped small red onion, a minced clove of garlic, a small diced tomato, and maybe a deseeded and diced jalapeño if you're in the mood for some heat. A handful of chopped cilantro leaves adds that distinct freshness, but if you're not a fan, it's okay to skip it. Sprinkle in some salt, and then mash everything together. You can use a fork or a potato masher, depending on how chunky you like your guacamole. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Serve it up with tortilla chips or as a side to pretty much anything.

Homemade Salsa

To start, grab about 5 ripe tomatoes. You want them juicy but firm. Dice them up and toss them into a mixing bowl. Add a finely chopped red onion for some bite and crunch. Now, for that classic spicy kick, chop up a jalapeño (or two if you're brave). Remember, the seeds and white parts are the spiciest, so adjust to your liking. Squeeze the juice of a lime over your mixture for that zesty zing. Toss in a good handful of freshly chopped cilantro; it gives salsa its signature flavor. Sprinkle in some salt and give everything a good stir. If you've got a garlic clove lying around, mince it and mix it in for an extra layer of flavor. Let it sit for a bit to let the flavors meld together and enjoy!

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