Smothered and Covered Homemade Taquitos

SMOTHERED AND COVERED

TAQUITOS

Be prepared to spend some time in the kitchen. This recipe makes 120+ servings. It is time consuming but well worth it. Great for sharing with others, snacks for the kids, and easy on the go lunches. The taquitos can be eaten cold or hot by themselves. 

Taquitos

5 lbs. lean hamburger meat

2 T. garlic salt

1 T. oregano

1 T. cumin

1 T. salt

1 T. pepper

3 lbs. Velveeta--note: the knock off brands actually work best

8 oz. grated cheese of your choice (I prefer cheddar)

120 corn tortillas

Brown and drain hamburger meat. Mix seasonings with meat. Return to heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add cheeses and heat until cheese is thoroughly melted. Spread meat mixture onto a cookie sheet. I have a deep one that I use and then cut each strip in half. Otherwise you will probably need more than one sheet. Normally at this time you would refrigerate for about 6 hours, but I am an impatient person, so I put the mixture in the freezer while I fry the tortillas. 

You will want to fry your tortillas in oil until they reach a firm but moldable texture. 

Take meat mixture out of freezer. Slice 1/4" slices. In my cookie sheet, I can get 3 taquitos out of one slice and then I cut that in half long ways. Roll meat into tortilla. Place on greased cookie sheet. Cook some for now to smother and cover and save rest for later. Freeze on cookie sheet and then put in freezer bags for later. I cook mine in the over at 400 degrees until crispy brown, but they can be deep fried as well if you choose. 

I kinda cheat on the smother and cover part since the taquito process takes so long. 

Chili:

1 16 oz. can of chili with or without beans (I prefer without)

1 can of Rotel (again I prefer hot so I use the one with habaneros) 

Puree Rotel. Add to chili and heat. 

I can make good queso, but I cheat on this part too with taquitos. Might be a good plan to make them when I have some leftover queso...Hmmm I just buy a jar of queso in the chips section.

Any toppings can be added at this point. Salsa, queso, chili, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, avocados, guacamole, or sour cream. Do it up like you want or just eat em plain.