Description
Spicy Mexican smothered green chili burritos bring sizzling Southwest flavors straight to dinner tables. Melted cheese, tender meat, and zesty green sauce create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or shredded chicken
- Refried beans or cooked rice (optional for filling)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Main Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 200 g (2 cups) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken broth
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (or fresh roasted chilies, chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a precise 375 degrees for optimal heating.
- Create a flavor base by sautéing diced onions and minced garlic in a skillet until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Introduce shredded meat to the skillet, seasoning with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring the meat is thoroughly heated and well-coated with spices.
- Incorporate refried or black beans into the meat mixture, stirring until completely integrated and developing a cohesive filling.
- Lay out tortillas and distribute the spiced meat and bean blend evenly, then sprinkle a generous layer of cheese across each tortilla.
- Carefully roll the filled tortillas, positioning them seam-side down in a prepared baking dish to prevent unraveling.
- Cascade green chili sauce over the assembled burritos, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Distribute an additional layer of cheese across the top of the sauced burritos for extra richness.
- Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes, allowing the cheese to become golden and slightly crispy.
- Finish with preferred garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced tomatoes before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and choosing mild or hot green chili sauce for different heat preferences.
- Prep burritos ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, which makes this a convenient make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
- Swap meat with shredded jackfruit or plant-based protein for a vegetarian version that maintains similar texture and flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free tortillas and check bean and sauce ingredients to make this recipe completely gluten-free without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg