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Easy Grilled Cheese Burrito

A Taco Bell-inspired burrito loaded with seasoned beef and rice, wrapped in a tortilla with a crispy grilled cheese crust.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
  • 0.67 cup water
  • 2 cups cooked Mexican or Spanish rice
  • 4 whole extra-large flour tortillas burrito size
  • 1 cup nacho cheese sauce warmed
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup chipotle sauce store-bought or homemade mix of mayo and chipotle in adobo
  • 1 cup crunchy tortilla strips fiesta strips
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese divided

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Non-stick skillet for grilling
  • spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking into crumbles, for 5 to 7 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess grease. Add taco seasoning and water, stirring to combine. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
  2. Lay four tortillas on a work surface. In the center of each, layer ½ cup rice, a quarter of the seasoned beef, ¼ cup warmed nacho cheese sauce, dollops of sour cream and chipotle sauce, and a handful of tortilla strips.
  3. Fold the left and right sides over the filling, then fold the bottom up and over, tucking tightly. Roll away from you, keeping everything compact. The seam should be on the bottom. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheese onto the skillet in a burrito-sized shape. Wait 30 to 45 seconds until cheese bubbles and starts to crisp around edges.
  5. Place one burrito seam-side down directly onto the melting cheese. Press gently with a spatula or heavy skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes without moving until cheese forms a crispy, golden crust stuck to the tortilla.
  6. Optional: For cheese on both sides, lift burrito to check crust. If golden and crispy, sprinkle another ¼ cup cheese on skillet, flip burrito onto fresh cheese, and cook 2 to 3 more minutes.
  7. Remove burrito and let rest 1 minute before slicing. Repeat grilling process with remaining burritos. Serve hot.

Notes

Storage: Assembled ungrilled burritos can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Grilled burritos store in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in skillet to re-crisp cheese. Freeze assembled ungrilled burritos wrapped in plastic then foil for up to 2 months. Thaw before grilling. Variations: Use ground turkey, shredded chicken, or black beans for protein. Add diced bell peppers or corn to beef. Adjust chipotle sauce for heat level. Use whole wheat tortillas. Make breakfast version with eggs and sausage. Pro Tips: Warm tortillas before assembling. Don't overfill (1-1.5 cups total filling). Wait for cheese to bubble and start crisping before placing burrito. Use high-quality non-stick skillet. Keep seam side down when grilling. Press gently but firmly for best crust.