Make Ahead Chimichangas Recipes

MAKE AHEAD BEEF CHIMICHANGA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Saute onion and add ground beef in a skillet.
• Cook until no longer pink (approx 7-10 mins).
• Take off heat and drain.
• Stir in refried beans, salsa and cheese after cool for a minute.
• Melt butter and brush on tortillas, both sides. Wax paper can be used for less mess.
• Spoon about 1/4 c. of beef mix into the center of the tortilla.
• Fold sides over tortilla, like a burrito.
• Place on baking sheet, seam side down.
• Make sure to space them out so they are not touching.
• Bake for 5-7 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Optional - sprinkle with additional cheese and return to oven to melt cheese (watch closely to avoid burning them).
• Serve with favorite toppings - Sour cream, lettuce, olives, additional cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, etc.

MAKE-AHEAD BURRITOS OR CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In large skillet, combined meat, salsa, beans, undrained chilies, and seasoning mix. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
• In second skillet, heat tortillas, one at a time, about 30 seconds per side. For each burrito/chimichanga, place 1/3 cup meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge. Top with a cheese stick. Fold sides in, roll up starting with cheese side. Wrap individually in foil.
• To store for later: At this point, place wrapped burritos/chimichangas in plastic zip bags, label and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To prepare from frozen: Bake desired number in preheated 350 oven for 50 minutes or until heated through. For burritos: Bake additional 10 minutes in foil. Serve with toppings. For chimichangas: Unwrap and place on baking sheet, bake additional 10 minutes until tortillas are crisp - OR - fry in 1/4" oil in large fry pan, turning and cooking until golden and crisp.
• To prepare from thawed, reduce initial baking time to 30 minutes.
• Serve with toppings of your choice: sour cream, guacamole, diced green onions, salsa or shredded cheese.
• Makes 16.

MAKE AHEAD CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Using two forks, shred cooked meat or chicken (should have about 3 cups).
• In a large skillet combine meat or chicken, salsa, beans, undrained chili peppers, and seasoning mix.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
• In another skillet heat tortillas, one at a time, over medium-low heat about 30 seconds per side.
• For each chimichanga, place 1/3 cup meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge.
• Top with a cheese stick.
• Fold in sides; roll up, starting with cheese side.
• Bake, covered, in 350 degree F.
• oven for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake 10 minutes more or until heated through.
• Serve with salsa, dairy sour cream, and hot cooked rice, if desired.
• Make-Ahead Tip: To freeze, place chimichangas in freezer containers.
• Seal, label, and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To prepare, wrap frozen chimichangas individually in foil.
• Bake in a 350 degree F.
• oven about 50 minutes or until heated through.
• (Or, thaw chimichangas in refrigerator overnight. Bake about 30 minutes.) Unwrap.
• Bake 10 minutes more or until tortilla is crisp and brown.
• Or, heat about 1/4-inch depth of oil in a skillet.
• Cook desired number of frozen chimichangas, uncovered, in hot oil about 25 minutes (about 18 minutes if thawed) over medium-low heat or until golden, turning often.