I LOVE mexican food, all the cheese, fresh veggies, beans, and pico! Yum! I found this recipe about 6 months ago and have used it several times in my freezer meal co-op group. So far, everyone has loved the chimis!

You can make this meal ahead of time, freeze them and pull them out for a last minute lunch or dinner- or you can just make them, eat them and then freeze the leftovers. Either way, you need to try them!

Here is what you need to make 16 chimichangas (trust me, you will want extras!):

1 lb browned ground beef, chicken or pork, 16 oz jar of salsa, 16 oz can refried beans, 1 1/2 oz taco seasoning, 16- 8 inch flour tortillas, 1 lb Sharp cheddar cheese, oil for frying

Step 1: Add meat, salsa, taco seasoning and beans in a skillet.

Step 2: Mix and cook over medium heat until warmed through.

Step 3: Place 1/3-1/2 cup meat mixture in an 8 inch flour tortilla

Step 4: Top with cheese

Step 5: Begin rolling your tortilla by folding it length wise

Step 6: Now begin tucking the ends in

Step 7: Pinch the top part down

Step 8: Fold the bottom part up (Don’t be frustrated if it doesn’t look perfect! By the time you get to your 4th or 5th one, they will start looking better!)

Step 9: Place seam side down on a cookie sheet

Step 10: Heat up your oil (about 1/2 inch) over medium heat. Kitchen tip * To check to see if the oil is hot enough, put the end of a wooden spoon in the oil. If lots of bubbles form around the base of the spoon, it’s ready!

Step 11: Place your chimichangas (seam side down) in your pan.

Step 12: Turn them over when they begin to brown (it won’t take long!) If you are planning on eating these for a meal the same day you make them: you need to bake them at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until heated through. If you freeze these, and then take them out to bake- you need to bake them for 30-40 minutes.

Step 13: Keep repeating this until all of your chimichangas are browned!

Step 14: Place all your yummy condiments on the table! We use: sour cream, avocado, cheese, pico de gallo, salsa and chips.

Step 15: Serve with rice and chips!

Cost per meal: $9.00 (does not include toppings)

Cost per person (meal makes 16, serving size is 2 chimi’s per person or 8 people): $1.13 per person

Share your family loved mexican style recipes with us!

What does your family enjoy?