Description
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of common ingredients, you can create a meal that is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- pound Ground Beef
- (1-ounce) packet Taco Seasoning
- ounces Cream Cheese, room temperature
- cup Salsa
- cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- tablespoons Butter, melted
- Small Flour Tortillas
- For Garnish (optional): Sour cream, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, guacamole
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasoned Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Once browned, drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning packet (and water, as directed on the package). Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Create the Creamy Salsa Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and fluffy. Slowly blend in the salsa until it is fully incorporated and uniform in color.
- Assemble the Taco Pockets: Preheat your oven to () and lightly grease a large baking sheet. Lay a tortilla flat and spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture down the center. Top with a spoonful of the seasoned beef and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
- Fold and Place: To fold, bring the bottom edge of the tortilla up over the filling, fold in the two sides, then roll it up tightly like a burrito. Place the pocket seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for all tortillas.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Gently brush the tops of each pocket with melted butter. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is heated through. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is the key to a lump-free, perfectly smooth, and spreadable filling.
- Lighter Version: For a lower-calorie option, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, use reduced-fat cheeses, and skip brushing the tops with butter.
- Serving Suggestion: These pockets are delicious on their own or served with sour cream, extra salsa, guacamole, and chopped tomatoes for dipping and topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pockets
- Calories: 725kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
