Baked Taquitos Recipe

With just 4 ingredients, this Baked Taquitos recipe is the perfect easy dinner for busy families. The beef and cheese taquitos are also freezer-friendly, so prepare a batch in advance to tuck away for another day!

This beef taquitos recipe is seriously a kid favorite around here! They’re like tacos, but better:

• The baked taquitos are smaller and easier to hold;
• They’re less messy than a classic taco, because the ingredients are baked inside and the tortilla stays wrapped tightly; and
• They’re perfect for dipping — into taco sauce, fresh salsa, guacamole, or queso!
• They can be made ahead of time and frozen for an easy last-minute dinner any night of the week. It’s meal prep at its tastiest!

What’s a taquito?

A taquito is a Mexican dish that includes a small tortilla rolled around a filling of meat and cheese, which is then deep-fried.

What’s the difference between flautas and taquitos?

The terms “taquitos” and “flautas” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same type of recipe. While taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas, flautas are usually prepared with wheat flour tortillas.

What are taquitos made of?

The beef taquito recipe that I’m sharing today can be made with either corn tortillas or flour tortillas, so pick whichever option your family prefers. I have used both options, but I find that the flour tortillas roll much easier without cracking (and my kids like them best) — so that’s what you’ll see in the photos.

The only other ingredients that you’ll need are:

• ground beef
• grated cheese
• taco seasoning

How do you make a taquitos recipe in the oven?

Instead of a fried taquito recipe, I’m showing you how to make a healthier, easier baked version!

First, prepare taco meat using ground beef, water and a packet of taco seasoning.

Stir some grated cheese into the meat mixture and your taquito filling is done!

How to roll taquitos:

If you’re using corn tortillas, it’s important to keep them wrapped in moist paper towels and to keep them warm (in the microwave) while you’re rolling the taquitos. Otherwise they will easily rip and tear.

While they’re not as authentic, I find that it’s easier to roll taquitos using flour tortillas — so that’s typically what I choose to work with.

To roll the taquito, start by spooning a small amount of the beef and cheese filling down one side of a tortilla.

Roll up the tortilla, and place the taquito seam-side down on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining filling and tortillas.

Bake the taquitos in a 400 degree F oven for 12-15 minutes, or just until crispy on the outside and warm on the inside.

Are taquitos healthy?

This taquitos recipe is much healthier than a restaurant-style taquito because the taquitos are baked, not fried. You can also use wholegrain corn tortillas or whole wheat flour tortillas. 

Feel free to swap out the ground beef and make vegetarian taquitos, chicken taquitos, or ground turkey breast taquitos for even lighter options as well!

Can you freeze taquitos?

Yes!! These are a great freezer meal. If you do not plan to bake the taquitos right away, just roll them as instructed and place the assembled taquitos on a baking sheet in the freezer until completely frozen (this will keep them from sticking together when you store them). Once frozen, you can toss them all into a Ziploc bag and keep them in the freezer until ready to bake.

To bake taquitos directly from the freezer (without thawing): follow the baking instructions in the recipe below, but add a few extra minutes.

You can also freeze the taquitos after they are baked. This is a great way to save leftovers.

What to serve with taquitos:

These taquitos go well with:

• Fresh salsa
• Guacamole
• 3-Ingredient Spicy Jalapeño Queso Dip
• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips
• Corn
• Black beans

Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations — Baked Taquitos Recipe:

• Use this method to create your own taquitos recipe! You can make vegetarian taquitos by swapping out the beef and using pinto beans or black beans instead. Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, or make cheese taquitos by omitting the meat altogether and creating a filling with cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese and some taco seasoning!
• Have leftover shredded beef or chicken from another meal? You can use just about any leftover meat to make a taquitos recipe with shredded beef or a chicken taquitos recipe!
• Use corn tortillas, white flour tortillas, or whole wheat flour tortillas.
• Freeze or refrigerate any leftover baked taquitos. You can reheat them in a 350 degree F oven for just 5-9 minutes, until they’re warm and crispy again!

Other easy Mexican-inspired dinners that you might enjoy:

• Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken
• Easy Taco Casserole
• Easy Taco Soup
• 5-Ingredient Taco Biscuit Cups
• Taco Pie

This recipe was originally published in April, 2013. It was updated in March, 2019.