Weeknight Recipe Idea: Easy Cheesy Chimichangas @McCormickSpice @Walmart #Spon

***Disclosure: I participated in the McCormick’s Skillet Sauce® blogger campaign and received compensation as part of the program. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

With the Holiday season upon us, I have to admit, I am more than a little bit overwhelmed. There's so much to do, and so little time. I have to keep up with my teenage son's busy schedule, entertain and educate 2 preschoolers, keep the house in somewhat presentable condition, and then try and address the growing pile of boxes that contain Holiday Gift Guide review items. Oh, add to that needs of our pets and the fact that I have a marriage, and I am definitely stretched pretty thin lately. I'm actually a bit shocked that I haven't suffered a nervous breakdown, but that's an entirely different post....

Anyway, when I seem to have a zillion things on my plate, I don't always have hours and hours to spend in the kitchen. I love to cook and don't mind preparing elaborate, time-consuming dishes. But let's face it: Sometimes, ain't no one got time for that. 

What's a stressed out mama to do when hunger strikes and she doesn't have time to leisurely make a 5 course meal? Well, I'll tell you one thing that I do. I make my life easier by keeping some McCormick® Skillet Sauces on hand. They sure come in handy on nights when I am short on time, but don't want to sacrifice flavor. 

McCormick® Skillet Sauces make creating a delicious, homemade meal the whole family will love easier than ever. And in almost no time, flat. The best part? All of the flavor is packed into these little pouches, so even beginner cooks, like my teen, can make a meal they can be proud of with very little skill necessary. 

Whether you like tangy BBQ, comfort food classics, spicy Mexican creations, or even Asian-inspired stir-fry dishes, these ready to use sauces have got you covered. 

Embark on a Flavor Adventure with these McCormick® Skillet Sauces:

• Fajita with Roasted Chili, Garlic & Lime Skillet Sauce
• Fire Roasted Garlic Chili Skillet Sauce
• Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry Skillet Sauce
• Sicilian Chicken with Tomato, Basil & Garlic Skillet Sauce
• Smoky Applewood BBQ Chicken with Bacon Skillet Sauce
• Sweet & Smoky Sloppy Joes Skillet Sauce
• Taco with Chipotle & Garlic Skillet Sauce

McCormick® Skillet Sauces are available at Walmart, and they're located near the gravy mixes, taco seasoning packets, and chili starters. I think you'll be delighted to hear that these skillet sauces are well under $2.00 per pouch. Convenient and economical. Score! 

Each packet has a recipe on the back. These recipes are quick, easy, and only require a few ingredients. These options are perfect for days when the pantry is lacking but you're simply too exhausted to head to the store. 

Recently, I picked up a couple of Taco with Chipotle & Garlic Skillet Sauce. Rather than making tacos, which would be too easy, I decided to make my cheesy chimichangas. Normally, I create a spice mix from scratch, and simmer my taco meat for over an hour. This time, I saved tons of time and work by letting the McCormick® Skillet Sauce work its magic. 

After I browned a pound of ground chuck, I made sure to drain it very, very well. No one wants nasty, greasy beef! After the meat was well-drained, I added it back to my skillet and poured in the skillet sauce. 
 
Just 10 short minutes later, I was ready to assemble my chimichangas. I used flour tortillas for this. On each tortilla, I started with a nice helping of shredded taco blend cheese. On top of the cheese, I add a generous heap of my taco meat, sprinkled with some sliced black olives. 

Roll each tortilla around the filling, making sure to tuck in the edges. You don't want that delicious filling coming out during the baking process! Place each chimichanga, seam side down, into a baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. 

Next, take about 2 tablespoons of melted butter and brush it on the top of your chimis. You want a nice, generous coating, since this is what makes the tortillas become browned, crisp and flavorful. If you don't want to use butter, I suppose margarine or even cooking spray would work just fine. I just prefer the real deal. 

Bake in an oven that's been pre-heated to 375 F. These need some time to bake, but it's worth every second. Your chimis will be baked to perfection in about 35 minutes, or whenever they're crispy and golden brown. Every oven is different, so be sure to check them every so often till you get your desired amount of doneness. 

Once your chimichangas are done cooking, it's time to plate them up. I like serving these on a nice crisp bed of chopped Romaine lettuce. I like to spoon some "Mexican Dipping Cheese" on top of the chimis next. Now if you haven't heard of this cheese sauce, you're missing out. This cheese is what they use at authentic Mexican restaurants in many of their dishes. It has an amazing flavor, and is a bit soupy in nature. In one word: Perfection. This cheese can be found in a little plastic tub in the cheese section at Walmart. Try near the other Mexican cheeses. Trust me, this cheese makes the meal, every single time.  

On top of the cheese, I add some fresh tomato and cilantro salsa, and a few slices of pickled jalapenos. Like I said, these babies are exploding with flavor, and rival anything you'll find at your local Mexican joint. 

I have to say, I was absolutely thrilled to discover that using the McCormick® Skillet Sauce wasn't only a convenient short-cut, it was also a homerun in the flavor department. My meat was perfectly seasoned. It had a nice smokiness, with a hint of heat and garlic. It tasted incredibly fresh, and was a huge improvement over dry seasoning packets, in my humble opinion. 

These chimichangas were not only crisp and flavorful, they were also a cinch to make. Perfect for those busy weeknight meals! 

If this post has made you crave some south of the border cuisine, don't head to your nearest taco shop. Why not head to Walmart instead? There, you can grab some McCormick® Skillet Sauce, as well as all of the fresh toppings you could want....Jalapenos, olives, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, or even avocado.  The possibilities are endless. 

Here's my recipe, if you'd like to give it a shot. Trust me, this is worth pinning for future meal inspiration!

Brandy's Easy Cheesy Chimichangas
(makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground chuck
• 1 McCormick® Skillet Sauce in Taco with Chipotle & Garlic
• 8 flour tortillas, soft taco sized
• 1 small can sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/2 cup salsa of your choosing 
• 1.5 cups shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup Mexican Dipping Cheese (in the tub!)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2.5 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
• Jalapeno slices or tomatoes to garnish (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 F. 
• Spray large rectangular baking dish with cooking spray, set aside. 
• Crumble 1lb ground chuck into a skillet. Make sure the burner is set to med/high heat. Cook until meat is browned. 
• Drain meat, return to skillet.
• Add the contents of your McCormick® Skillet Sauce packet.
• Stir well, making sure the sauce is combined with the meat. 
• Simmer for 10 minutes, letting those flavors marry. 

To Assemble:

• On your flour tortillas, add a generous layer of shredded cheese. Top with a heaping scoop of your taco meat. Top with black olives, if desired. 
• Fold tortillas, burrito-style. Make sure to tuck the edges in, and place them seam-style down in your baking dish.
• Repeat with remaining tortillas until all the filling has been used. This recipe usually makes 8 chimichangas in my house. 
• Grab your melted butter and a basting brush. Baste each chimichanga liberally with butter. You may substitute with margarine or even cooking spray, if you desire. 
• Bake at 375 F for about 35 minutes, or until chimis are brown and crisp. 

To plate:

• Add a nice bed of chopped lettuce to your plate. 
• On top of the lettuce, place a chimichanga. 2 if you're really hungry! 
• Drizzle your melted Mexican Dipping Cheese over the crisp chimichangas. 
• Add some fresh salsa.
• Garnish with jalapeno or tomato, if desired. 
• Enjoy! 

Find more information and more recipes at: http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and-Flavors/Skillet-Sauces.


You can also follow McCormick on social media to stay on top of their latest products, promotions, and meal solutions:

• Instagram: McCormickSpice
• Pinterest: McCormickSpice
• Facebook: McCormick Spice

What are your favorite no-fuss, weekday meals? I'd love to hear your ideas!