Description
Savor authentic Mexican Beef and Cheese Burrito magic with layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh ingredients wrapped in a warm tortilla. Hearty flavors and simple preparation make this dish a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (or homemade, see notes)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- ¼ cup sour cream
Base and Supplemental Ingredients:
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito-sized)
- 1 cup refried beans or black beans (optional)
- ½ cup cooked rice (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup beef broth (or water)
Seasonings and Garnishes:
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Jalapeno slices
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, gently sautéing diced onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, methodically breaking it into crumbly pieces while cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess fat from the meat if necessary to maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Incorporate minced garlic, taco seasoning, paprika, cumin, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce into the meat mixture.
- Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring intermittently, until the sauce thickens and develops a robust consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and let the beef mixture rest momentarily.
- Prepare tortillas by warming them in a dry skillet or microwave to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking during assembly.
- Layer each tortilla with a smooth spread of refried beans or rice, creating a foundational barrier.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture centrally across the tortilla, leaving adequate space for folding.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef, creating a melty, indulgent layer.
- Embellish with optional toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or preferred condiments.
- Carefully fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then roll tightly from the bottom upward to secure the filling.
- For a crispy exterior, place burritos seam-side down in a heated skillet, cooking 1-2 minutes per side until achieving a golden, crunchy finish.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by additional salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy burritos and ensure a crispy, delicious texture.
- Customize seasoning by adjusting spice levels with more or less taco seasoning for personalized heat.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by using corn tortillas and checking that taco seasoning is gluten-free certified.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time for quick assembly, storing cooked beef and chopped toppings separately in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg