This Taco Bell grilled cheese burrito has a little bit of everything. It's super meaty and cheesy, with an addictive crunch from the cheese-coated tortillas and delicious homemade chipotle sauce. It's so much better than the restaurant version and so easy to make at home!
If you've ever had the grilled cheese burrito from Taco Bell, you know how addictive it is. If you haven't, get ready for your new favorite obsession. This recipe has all of the best parts of the one from Taco Bell, but I make it even better!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
A combination like no other. This burrito has juicy ground beef, tender rice, and loads of ooey gooey cheese with an incredible homemade chipotle sauce. Paired with the crunchy tortilla strips and extra crunchy, cheesy tortilla shell, you'll be hooked after one bite!
It's easy to make at home. Since this is so delicious, it might seem intimidating to make. But honestly, it's really simple and quicker than driving to Taco Bell!
It's a total crowd favorite. This is one of those recipes that you serve, and no one will be able to stop talking about it. My wife and I made these for our friends, and they still talk about the night we had the grilled cheese burritos. So everyone you make them for is guaranteed to love them!
Ingredients Needed
For the taco filling:
- Ground beef- I used 80/20 beef for the best flavor.
- Burger seasonings- Garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper
- Spanish rice- or any seasoned rice, precooked to bulk up the burrito filling.
- Cheese- I used a three cheese blend.
- Tortilla strips- for that addictive crunch.
- Oil- olive oil or another neutral oil for cooking.
- Tortillas- extra large, soft flour tortillas work best here.
For the sauce:
- Sour cream- the tangy base of this sauce
- Chipotle hot sauce- to bring the heat.
- Cayenne pepper- for some more spice.
How To Make Grilled Cheese Burritos
Step 1: Cook the meat. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart. Add the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet and mix it with the beef. Cook the beef for about 5-7 minutes or until it's browned on all sides. Then remove it from the heat and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the sauce. Add the sour cream, chipotle sauce, and cayenne pepper to a bowl and mix until well combined. Set it aside.
Step 3: Make the filling. Add the cooked ground beef to a large bowl. Add the chipotle sour cream, cooked rice, 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese, and the tortilla strips to the bowl. Mix the ingredients together until combined.
Step 4: Assemble the burrito. Add ¼ of the mixture to the middle of a tortilla. Then, carefully fold in two sides and roll it into a burrito. Be gentle so you don't poke any holes in the tortilla, or your filling will spill out.
Step 5: Prepare the cheese. Heat the same large nonstick skillet over medium/high heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the skillet. When the olive oil is hot, add one-quarter cup of cheese in a line in the center of the nonstick skillet and place the burrito on top of the cheese.
Step 6: Cook the burritos. Carefully place a heavy cast iron skillet on top of the burrito. Let the burrito cook with the cheese underneath for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to brown. Remove the cast iron skillet from the burrito and carefully flip the burrito. Cook the burrito for an additional 2-3 minutes or until browned on the opposite side. Remove the burrito from the skillet. Repeat the previous two steps until all four burritos are assembled and cooked.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy. As soon as the burritos are cooked, rest for one minute, and serve with sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, or anything else you want. Enjoy!
Variations and Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Load the burritos up with any fillings you want! Tomatoes, shredded lettuce, avocado, or jalapenos are great additions.
- Use a nacho cheese sauce instead of the homemade sauce in this recipe. My Taco Bell nacho sauce is delicious!
- Make the burritos with chicken or steak instead of beef. This Chipotle steak or pollo asado are delicious filling options.
- Swap the beef for refried beans or these Chipotle black beans for a vegetarian version.
- Be gentle when you roll the burritos. You don't want them to break, or the filling will spill out.
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one. It'll crisp up the cheese even more.
- Cook the beef and seasoned rice the day before to make this recipe even quicker to put together.
Storage and Reheating Recommendations
In the fridge: Let any leftovers cool completely before wrapping them individually in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Then store in a sealed bag in the fridge for 3 days.
In the freezer: If you want to freeze these burritos, it's best to do without the sauce. Wrap the assembled and cooled burritos in parchment paper and then tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped burritos in freezer-safe bags and freeze for 3 months.
Reheating: The best way to reheat these burritos is again in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side. If you're in a pinch, you can microwave them in 30-second increments, but the tortillas won't be crispy. Make sure to thaw the frozen burritos in the fridge overnight before reheating.
More Copycat Recipes
- Taco Bell nacho fries
- Taco Bell Mexican pizza
- Taco Bell chicken quesadilla
- Smash burger tacos
- Arby's roast beef sandwich
- Moe's queso
- Chipotle barbacoa
Grilled Cheese Burrito (Best Taco Bell Copycat Recipe)
This Taco Bell grilled cheese burrito has a little bit of everything. It's super meaty and cheesy, with an addictive crunch from the cheese-coated tortillas and delicious homemade chipotle sauce. It's so much better than the restaurant version and so easy to make at home!
Ingredients
Seasoned Beef
- 1 lb. ground beef (I used 85/15)
- 1 tsp. granulated garlic
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- 1 cup cooked Spanish rice (or any rice)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese separated
- 1 cup tortilla strips
- 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 extra large burrito tortillas we used these
- Chipotle Sour Cream
Chipotle Sour Cream
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp. chipotle hot sauce
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef skillet and break the meat apart. Sprinkle the garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the beef.
- Let the beef cook in the spices until it is fully cooked, 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the heat and set aside.
- Prepare the chipotle sour cream. Combine the sour cream, chipotle hot sauce, and cayenne pepper in a bowl, mixing until well combined. Set aside.
- Assemble a burrito. Add the cooked beef to a large bowl. Add the chipotle sour cream, rice, 1 ½ cups of cheese, and tortilla strips to the bowl. Fold the ingredients together until combined.
- Place ¼ of the mixture in the middle of a tortilla. Fold in 2 sides, and roll it into a burrito.
- Cook the burrito. Heat the same large nonstick skillet over medium/high heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the skillet. When the olive oil is hot, add ¼ cup cheese in a line in the center of the skillet, and place the burrito on top of the cheese.
- Carefully place a heavy cast iron skillet on top of the burrito. Let the burrito cook with the cheese for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
- Remove the cast iron skillet from the burrito and carefully flip the burrito. Cook the burrito for an additional 2-3 minutes or until browned on the opposite side. Remove the burrito from the skillet.
- Repeat steps 6-8 until all 4 burritos are assembled and cooked.
- Let the burrito rest for 1 minute before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Josh
So good!!!!
Bradley
It was kind of involved but a thousand percent worth it!!
Darnell
This was insane! I am going to make it a ton
PJ
I used ground chicken cause I don't like beef and it was damn good.