Make these handheld, cheesy pocket tacos filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar. They are easy to prepare and perfect for a quick, satisfying family dinner.
Author:sarah_hearthbite
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Tex-Mex
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
8 medium flour tortillas (about 8 inches)
Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking sheet or spray with cooking spray.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and salsa until smooth.
In a medium bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, the cream cheese/salsa mixture, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine the filling.
Warm the flour tortillas briefly in the microwave (about 15-20 seconds) to make them pliable.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling mixture onto one half of each tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle a small amount of the remaining shredded cheese over the filling.
Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal the pocket.
Place the sealed pockets seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the pockets with cooking spray.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the tops of the hot pockets immediately after removing them from the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For crispier pockets, you can air fry them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Use your favorite type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend, for a different flavor profile.
Serve these handheld taco recipes with sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa for dipping.