Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (add about 1 teaspoon salt if unsalted)
Queso Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 8 ounces shredded Pepperjack cheese
Assembly
- 6 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 6 crunchy tostada shells (or tortilla chips/Doritos as alternatives)
- Lettuce, chopped
- Tomato, diced
- Cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream
- Salsa or hot sauce
- Refried beans
- Guacamole (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Spicy Ground Beef: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add minced onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and softened. Add ground beef and break it apart with a spatula, cooking until browned and cooked through. Stir in taco seasoning and salt if needed; cook for an additional minute for flavors to meld.
- Make the Queso Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens and is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in shredded Pepperjack cheese until melted and creamy. Season to taste.
- Assemble the Crunchwrap: Lay a large flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread a layer of refried beans, then add a generous scoop of the spicy ground beef mixture. Spoon queso sauce over the beef. Place a crunchy tostada shell or substitute (chips/Doritos) on top. Add dollops of sour cream, salsa or hot sauce, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and cilantro evenly over the shell.
- Fold and Cook: Carefully fold the edges of the tortilla inward, overlapping sections to enclose the filling completely into a circular wrap. Heat a little oil in a clean skillet over medium heat. Place the folded Crunchwrap seam-side down into the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown, firm, and crispy. Press gently with a spatula while flipping to ensure even browning.
- Serve: Remove from skillet and slice in half if desired. Serve hot with optional mashed avocado or guacamole and additional hot sauce on top for extra flavor.
Notes
- Tostada shells provide the best crunch, but tortilla chips or Doritos offer great alternatives.
- Use burrito-sized tortillas for easy folding and to contain all fillings comfortably.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings like jalapeños or black olives.
- Preparation and cooking times can be shortened by multitasking during each step.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with seasoned black beans or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
