Description

This Copycat Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito recipe combines savory seasoned beef, flavorful Spanish rice, chipotle mayo, crunchy tortilla chips, and a melty cheese crust that replicates the iconic fast-food favorite in the comfort of your own kitchen. Wrapped in warm flour tortillas and cooked to golden perfection with a cheesy crust, these burritos are perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Spanish Rice

1 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 cup uncooked basmati rice, rinsed
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Seasoned Beef

1 tbsp. neutral oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Chipotle Mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp. chipotle sauce from a can of chipotle chiles in adobo

Assembly

6 (10″) flour tortillas
1/2 cup store-bought or homemade queso, divided
1 cup red tortilla chips, broken into large pieces
8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
Sour cream, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving

Instructions

Make Spanish Rice: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the rinsed basmati rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is toasted and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic powder, salt, and onion powder, stirring for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and tomato sauce, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer undisturbed for 17 minutes. Remove lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Prepare Seasoned Beef: Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, onion powder, and paprika until evenly combined. Add chicken broth and tomato sauce, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes.
Make Chipotle Mayonnaise: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and chipotle sauce from canned chipotle chiles in adobo. Mix well and set aside.
Assemble Burritos: Lay a flour tortilla flat on your work surface. Spread 1/2 cup of the Spanish rice in the center, followed by 1/2 cup of the seasoned beef. Add 1 tablespoon of chipotle mayo, 1 tablespoon of queso, and 4 to 5 broken pieces of red tortilla chips. Fold the two sides of the tortilla inward, then fold the bottom half up and tightly roll the burrito, tucking in the sides. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
Cook Burritos with Cheesy Crust: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Arrange about 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese in a line roughly the length of a burrito in the center of the skillet. Place a burrito seam side down directly on top of the cheese. When the cheese browns and bubbles around the edges, carefully flip the burrito with a spatula, pressing the cheese to the seam to seal it. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown on the other side. Transfer to a serving platter and repeat with remaining burritos and cheese.
Serve: Serve the grilled cheese burritos hot with sour cream and your favorite hot sauce on the side.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with seasoned cooked beans or plant-based meat alternatives.
If you prefer a spicier burrito, add extra chipotle sauce or hot sauce to the chipotle mayonnaise.
Use fresh homemade queso or a good quality store-bought queso for best taste.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet to maintain the crispy cheesy crust.
Ensure tortillas are fresh and pliable to avoid cracking when rolling.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pan-frying, Simmering
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 burrito
Calories: 650 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Taco Bell grilled cheese burrito, copycat recipe, grilled cheese burrito, Mexican inspired burrito, cheesy burrito recipe