Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito copycat recipe is loaded with ground beef, refried beans, cheese, and spices. You'll love this hearty and filling chilito as a quick dinner or filling lunch.
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Save time and money by making this copycat chilito recipe! You can control exactly what goes into your burrito for a smarter and healthier dish than what you'd get in the drive-thru.
Why This Recipe Works
If you're looking for a homemade substitute for the classic Taco Bell chili cheese burrito, this is a great way to prepare it in your own kitchen. Super easy to make and packed with flavor and filling ingredients, perfect for the freezer. Serve it with this Chunky Guacamole Recipe!
Fans of this handheld comfort food will also love these Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken Burritos or a Loaded Breakfast Burrito.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef as a base.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a nice complex and savory flavor.
- Seasonings: A combination of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt provide lots of warmth.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the beef mixture.
- Refried Beans: For some extra protein and a nice filling addition to the beef.
- Tomato Paste: Gives the beef filling an extra meaty flavor and some subtle sweetness.
- Shredded Cheese: I use shredded cheddar cheese, but other varieties would also work well.
- Tortillas: Burrito size flour tortillas work best for these chilitos.
How to Make this Chili Cheese Burrito
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook until browned.
- Step 2: Drain any excess fat and add the seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Once the seasoning is evenly distributed, add the tomato paste and refried beans to the meat mixture.
- Step 4: Combine the cornstarch and water and add to the mixture. Heat until thickened, then fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Step 5: Place a single tortilla on a clean working surface, then add a bit of cheese.
- Step 6: Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the meat mixture on top of the cheese.
- Step 7: Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll into a burrito.
- Step 8: Repeat with the rest of the filling and tortillas. Serve with sour cream and salsa if desired.
Recipe Tips
- To make sure the tortillas don't break while wrapping up your burrito, warm them for 15 seconds in the microwave first.
- For a lighter version of these burritos, use ground chicken or ground turkey instead.
- You can add more veggies like bell peppers or jalapeno peppers to the filling.
- Cheddar cheese works well, but you can also use pepper jack, mozzarella cheese, or a shredded Mexican blend.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, make your filling ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Microwave it or reheat it in a skillet over medium heat before making burritos.
You can also prepare your burritos ahead of time for an easy dinner or meals on the go throughout the week! Wrap each burrito in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep them in the fridge, or pop them in the freezer if you need them to last longer. Reheat in the oven for best results, but you can also microwave them if you're in a time crunch.
Yes, let the burritos cool completely. Wrap each burrito into plastic wrap and, place them into a large ziplock freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Copycat Recipes
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Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water plus 2 tablespoons divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1- 16 ounce can refried beans
- 1- 6 ounce can tomato paste about 6 tablespoons
- 3 cups cheddar cheese
- 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until browned. Drain the extra fat and add the chili powder, cayenne, and salt, and stir it. Add in 2 cups of water.
- In a small bowl add the cornstarch and the remaining 2 tablespoons of water together and mix, stir that into the meat mixture, and let it come to a simmer to thicken.
- Add in the refried beans, tomato paste, and stir until combined.
- Add in 1 1/2 cups of cheese and mix until melted.
- Place a tortilla on a cutting board (warm the tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften if needed) and add a pinch of shredded cheese followed by 1/4-1/2 cup meat mixture.
- Fold in the sides and roll the tortilla over into a log.
- Serve with sour cream and salsa if desired!
Aww you're welcome, so happy you loved it 🙂
Hi Again, Another great copy cat recipe... love Mexican and Taco Bell!!
This is so great because you can double the recipe, double the fun, and put some in the freezer to have for a quick dinner with Mexican rice. Wooooooo Hooooooo.
Thanks! Wendie You've got so many Great recipes to try.
No, this burrito is heavy on the chili powder it's what makes it delicious.
Do you think it would taste the same adding a package of Taco Bell seasoning rather than the spices?
It was good, I added a 1/2 tsp of cumin. Gave it a bit more of a chili taste. Added a pinch of sugar to take away the acidity.
Yes it would!
I bet these ingredients would make an awesome enchilada filling! I don’t like flour tortillas, it would be delicious in enchiladas using corn tortillas. Thanks for sharing!