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Best Grilled Cheese Burrito

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

This stuffed grilled cheese burrito combines seasoned ground beef sautéed with onions and spices, simmered in tomato sauce for extra depth. The burrito features layers of fried rice, spicy mayo, nacho cheese sauce, cool sour cream, and crispy tortilla chips, all wrapped inside a large flour tortilla. After tightly rolling, the burrito is grilled until its surface turns golden and crisp, locking in the fillings and adding a toasted cheese crust. Serve it hot with a side of spicy mayo for a bold and satisfying meal, brimming with rich flavors and a variety of textures in every bite.

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Barbara Chef
Updated on Wed, 04 Jun 2025 01:32:23 GMT
A burrito with cheese and tomatoes on a wooden table. Pin
A burrito with cheese and tomatoes on a wooden table. | cookwithcarla.com

These cheesy and crave-worthy grilled cheese burritos are my go-to when I want something hearty and satisfying in minutes that still feels like a treat. Filled with seasoned beef, creamy nacho cheese, crispy chips, and spicy mayo, they channel all the best flavors of a fast-food classic right at home.

I first tried these on a lazy weekend with friends and we all ended up reaching for seconds — now it is a regular request for movie nights at my place.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: brings a savory base opt for freshly ground with a little fat for juicy flavor
  • Olive oil: helps brown the beef and keeps the onions sweet and soft reach for extra virgin for the best aroma
  • Onion: adds savor and sweetness pick one that feels firm with papery skin
  • Salt and black pepper: make the flavors pop use fresh cracked pepper if you can
  • Smoked paprika: deepens the meat's flavor Spanish-style is extra aromatic
  • Dried oregano: brightens the filling with herbal notes check that yours is fragrant not stale
  • Tomato sauce: adds tang and melds the spices choose plain with minimal sugar
  • Flour tortillas: hold everything together bigger ones are easier to wrap tightly
  • Spicy mayo: brings heat and creaminess try homemade if you want full control
  • Fried rice: gives texture and extra heartiness day-old rice works finest
  • Nacho cheese sauce: delivers silkiness and tang some store-bought brands are extra creamy
  • Sour cream: cools the spice and adds tang choose full-fat for best richness
  • Tortilla chips: give crunch pick a sturdy chip so they don't go soggy

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Ground Beef:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat then add diced onion and cook for five minutes until soft and translucent as this sets the flavor foundation
Brown the Beef and Season:
Add ground beef to the pan and break up any chunks while browning through then scatter in salt smoked paprika and oregano stirring well so spices coat every bit and toast their flavors for one minute
Simmer with Tomato Sauce:
Pour in tomato sauce reduce heat and simmer for five minutes letting the savory flavors come together as the sauce thickens
Build Your Burritos:
Lay each tortilla flat spread spicy mayo down the center add a spoonful of fried rice drizzle with nacho cheese dollop sour cream sprinkle tortilla chips over then spoon over the beef filling
Roll and Grill:
Fold in the tortilla sides then roll from the bottom up tucking as you go to keep things snug heat a skillet place your burrito seam-side down and grill two to three minutes per side until the cheese is crackling golden and everything is piping hot
Serve Up:
Slice the burritos and serve right away with extra spicy mayo for dunking or a squeeze of lime if you like
A burrito with rice and meat on a wooden table. Pin
A burrito with rice and meat on a wooden table. | cookwithcarla.com

One of my favorite things in these burritos is the nacho cheese sauce since my nephew insists on extra every time we make them and it always reminds me of our family Taco Bell runs growing up. Sometimes we laugh so hard assembling them that we can hardly keep the chips inside.

Storage Tips

Wrap leftover burritos tightly in foil and store in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat place them in a skillet or a 350 degree oven until warmed through. For freezer storage wrap each burrito in foil and freeze for up to one month.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef if you want a lighter protein. Greek yogurt stands in nicely for sour cream and you can use Monterey Jack or cheddar in place of nacho cheese. For extra kick try pepper jack cheese and add sliced jalapenos before rolling.

A burrito with meat and cheese. Pin
A burrito with meat and cheese. | cookwithcarla.com

Serving Suggestions

Serve your grilled cheese burritos with a side of guacamole and fresh pico de gallo or a crunchy cabbage slaw. They are also great with a big salad when you want some greens alongside all that cheesy richness.

Cultural Context

These burritos are inspired by the fast-food mashup at Taco Bell but homemade means bigger flavor and fresher layers. The grilled cheese crust is actually a fusion twist drawing from Mexican quesadillas and classic American grilled cheese sandwiches a flavor bridge loved by all ages.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What type of cheese works best for the crust?

Shredded Mexican cheese blend melts well and gets beautifully crisp. Cheddar or Monterey Jack are good alternatives.

→ Can I use homemade fried rice?

Absolutely! Leftover homemade or takeout fried rice both add flavor and texture to the burrito filling.

→ How can I keep the burrito from falling apart?

Tightly roll the tortilla, fold in the sides, and grill seam-side down first to help seal it securely.

→ Is there a way to make it spicier?

Increase the amount of spicy mayo or add sliced jalapeños inside with the fillings for extra heat.

→ Can these be prepped in advance?

You can prepare the beef and fillings ahead of time. Assemble and grill just before serving for best texture.

Best Grilled Cheese Burrito

Seasoned beef, melted cheese, and tangy sauces wrapped in a crisp burrito for a rich, comforting meal.

Preparation Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Cuisine Type: Tex-Mex

Yield: 4 Servings (4 large burritos)

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Ground Beef

01 450 g ground beef
02 15 ml olive oil
03 1 medium onion, diced
04 1 teaspoon salt, plus ground black pepper to taste
05 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 120 ml tomato sauce

→ Assembly

08 4 large flour tortillas
09 45 ml spicy mayo
10 250 g fried rice
11 250 ml nacho cheese sauce
12 250 ml sour cream
13 50 g tortilla chips

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 02

Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up lumps, until evenly browned and cooked through. Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir well and allow spices to bloom for 1 minute.

Step 03

Add tomato sauce to the beef mixture. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.

Step 04

Lay out each flour tortilla. Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of spicy mayo along the center of each tortilla.

Step 05

Top with a portion of fried rice and drizzle nacho cheese sauce over the rice. Add a generous dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with crispy tortilla chips. Spoon the seasoned beef mixture on top.

Step 06

Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly from the bottom, enclosing the filling securely.

Step 07

Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Optionally, scatter shredded Mexican cheese blend onto the pan. Place each burrito seam-side down and grill for 2–3 minutes on each side, until the exterior is golden and crisp.

Step 08

Serve immediately with additional spicy mayo on the side for dipping.

Additional Notes

  1. Do not overfill tortillas to prevent tearing when rolling and grilling.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Non-stick frying pan or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional for concerns.
  • Contains gluten from flour tortillas.
  • Contains dairy from cheese sauce and sour cream.
  • Contains eggs if spicy mayo is prepared with mayonnaise.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 780
  • Fats: 42 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Proteins: 31 g