Some times you just want something fully smothered in cheesy goodness! And these Smothered Taquitos will satisfy that craving for sure. This semi-homemade casserole is going to blow your mind with how easy it is to make something so dang good. By using the store bought taquitos, you can also chance up this meal by getting chicken, beef, cheese or bean taquitos.

Like I mentioned, you can pick your favorite type of taquitos to include in this casserole. You just want to be sure that they are from the freezer section. If they are fresh or already thawed out, they might get the mushy by the time all the cheese comes together. I would also encourage getting taquitos in a corn tortilla and not a flour tortilla (technically a flaunta) as it will hold up better in the queso.
If you want to go even further down the semi-homemade road for this dish, you could just canned/jarred queso and enchilada sauce. I have included my recipes for homemade queso, which really is simple to make, as well as my recipe for Mexican gravy. Equally easy to make, the Mexican gravy is similar to an enchilada sauce but does not contain any tomato products. If you wanted to tamp down the heat a little you could use diced green chilies in the place of the jalapenos.
Super filling is the best way to describe this casserole – so like I often say – you might not even need a side with it. I will say that it does not re-heat very well, so spreading it to have some as leftovers, is probably not a good idea. But if you needed to feed more people, I would probably pair it with a tex-mex style salad or maybe a black bean and corn salad.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Smothered Taquitos
Ingredients
- 50 Taquitos any filling
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 cups Mexican Gravy see recipe below
For the Queso
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 3 cups Cheddar Cheese
- 1 7oz can Diced Jalapenos
- 1 15ox can Petite Diced Tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375degF.
- Prepare Mexican Gravy as directed in the recipe (You can also swap out for your favorite canned enchilada sauce, but it will taste different)
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add butter and garlic powder. Once melted whisk in flour. Let cook for 3 minutes then whisk in milk, cumin, chili powder and salt. Let cook for 3 minutes then stir in cheese. Once fully incorporated add tomatoes and jalapenos.
- In a 13×9 baking dish, add a thin layer of queso across the bottom. Add half of the taquitos in a mostly single layer. Add half of remaining queso. Then sprinkle with one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Add remaining taquitos in a single layer. Add remaining queso in an even layer, then add the mexican gravy in a single layer. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Mexican Gravy
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- In a sauce pan over medium heat, add butter. Once melted whisk in flour and cook for 3 minutes. Then whisk in broth and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the seasonings. Reduce heat to low and let simmer until ready to build the enchiladas.
Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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Yum. These look so good and super easy to make. I love east week night dinners.
Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes at our What’s for Dinner party!! Hope your weekend is full of Spring sunshine!
A recipe my hubby would love! Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 108. Shared.
What a great idea!!
Thank you for sharing this dish, sounds pretty tasty. I love easy meals.
These look amazing!! My mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Easy weeknight dinners are at the top of my list. Thank you for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday.
Thanks so much for bringing your taquito recipe to the Homestead Blog Hop!
Laurie