Add both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to the slightly cooled meat mixture, stirring gently to distribute throughout. The residual heat will begin melting the cheese just enough to create pockets of gooey goodness without turning everything into a completely liquid mess. This technique ensures you get those satisfying cheese stretches when biting into the finished chimichangas.
Preparing Flexible Tortillas
Warm tortillas in the microwave for fifteen seconds or heat them individually in a dry skillet to make them pliable and easy to fold without cracking. Place about half a cup of the beef and cheese mixture in the center of each tortilla, leaving enough border space for proper folding. Don’t overfill as this makes rolling difficult and can cause bursting during baking.
Mastering The Rolling Technique
Fold the left and right sides of each tortilla toward the center, then roll tightly from the bottom edge toward the top, keeping the filling contained within. Place each completed chimichanga seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet to prevent them from unrolling during the cooking process. Space them at least an inch apart for proper air circulation and even browning.
Creating Golden Crunchy Exterior
Brush melted butter or oil generously over the entire surface of each chimichanga, paying special attention to any exposed tortilla areas. This crucial step creates that restaurant-style golden crunch without the need for deep frying, while also helping achieve even browning throughout the baking process.
Achieving Perfect Baked Results
Bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes, carefully turning each chimichanga over halfway through the cooking time for even browning on all sides. Look for a deep golden brown color all around with edges just beginning to get slightly darker. The exterior should sound hollow when tapped gently, indicating proper crispness has been achieved.
Serving At Peak Temperature
Remove from oven and serve immediately while the exterior is at maximum crispiness and the interior cheese is perfectly melted and stretchy. Top with cool sour cream, fresh salsa, and chopped cilantro to create that delightful temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting and satisfying.
