$10 Meals (or less): Beef Taquitos

Beef Taquitos

Our kids love taco night and taquitos are so much less messy than letting them dress dinner themselves! Seems like this is one recipe that no one fusses about. Understand that if your family doesn't particularly love an ingredient you can remove it (my hubby hates onions). Make your meal to suit your family's tastes.

 Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on the taquitos
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup salsa, plus more for dipping
• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 10 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack
• Sour cream

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400º. Grab a large skillet and heat the oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Be sure to stir often to cook evenly and prevent burning. Add the beef and use a spatula to break it up while it cooks. Brown about three minutes or until it is no longer red. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa, chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
   
2. Place the tortillas on a microwave safe plate and cover them with two damp paper towels. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds or until warm and pliable. Cover each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the cooked beef mixture spreading it to an inch from the edges. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the mixture on each tortilla.
   
3. Line a baking sheet with foil. Roll up the tortillas then place them seam side down on the sheet. Brush the taquitos lightly with vegetable oil. Bake 8 to 12 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly browned. Serve them hot with sour cream and/or salsa.
   

* Yields about 4-6 servings.