Description
This Best Beef and Cheese Burrito recipe combines savory seasoned ground beef with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, wrapped in warm flour tortillas and toasted to a perfect golden brown. Ready in just 25 minutes, these hearty burritos are flavorful and comforting, making them an ideal quick dinner or satisfying lunch option.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup refried beans
- ¼ cup water
Burrito Assembly
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Once cooked, drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy burrito.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant.
- Season: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly into the beef mixture to build depth of flavor.
- Add Salsa & Beans: Mix in the salsa, refried beans, and water. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, creating a rich filling.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave briefly to make them pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble Burritos: Spoon the beef mixture evenly onto each tortilla. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Roll each tortilla tightly, folding in the sides as you go to secure the filling.
- Toast Burritos: Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Place each burrito seam-side down and toast for 1-2 minutes per side until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Serve the burritos warm. Top with sour cream and chopped cilantro if desired for added creaminess and freshness.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas to make this recipe healthier or accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Refried beans add creaminess and body but can be substituted with black beans for a different texture.
- Leftover burritos can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet or oven for best results.
