Tasty Chili Cheese Burrito

Featured in Meals That Make the Table Happy.

These homemade Taco Bell chili cheese burritos bring all the classic flavors with a tasty twist. Ground beef is flavored with chili powder, cumin, and other spices, then combined with smooth refried beans and wrapped in warm tortillas packed with cheddar cheese. The burritos are toasted until crunchy on the outside, with a warm, cheesy center. A splash of hot sauce gives them a perfect little kick, making this version even more delicious than the original.
A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:30:48 GMT
Taco Bell Style Chili Cheese Burrito Pin it
Taco Bell Style Chili Cheese Burrito | mecooking.com

Missing Taco Bell's famous Chili Cheese Burrito? Make them at home! We've got a super tasty copycat with juicy beef, gooey cheese, and a rich chili mix. They're dead simple to whip up and way better than takeout.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Ground Beef: Get 1 pound for the main protein base.
  • Yellow Onion: Grab 1 medium one and dice it up for extra taste.
  • Chili Powder: You'll want 3 tablespoons to nail that signature flavor.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Just 1 teaspoon brings a nice kick.
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon helps bring all the flavors together.
  • Water: 2 cups to create the perfect sauce consistency.
  • Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons makes everything nice and thick.
  • Refried Beans: Grab a 16-ounce can for that smooth texture.
  • Tomato Paste: One 6-ounce can adds depth and richness.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Shred up 3 cups for that melty goodness.
  • Flour Tortillas: You'll need 10 10-inch wraps to hold everything.

HOW TO MAKE IT

Step 1:
Fire up a big skillet to medium-high and toss in your beef and chopped onions. Cook until the meat turns brown.
Step 2:
Pour out any extra fat, then mix in your chili powder, cayenne, and salt until everything's coated.
Step 3:
Dump in the tomato paste and refried beans. Keep stirring until you've got a nice smooth mixture.
Step 4:
Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water in a small cup, then pour it into your beef mix. Let it bubble away until it gets thicker.
Step 5:
Toss in all that shredded cheddar and stir until it disappears into melty goodness. Let everything simmer for 10 minutes, giving it a stir now and then.
Step 6:
Get your tortillas ready by zapping each one for 15 seconds or lightly wetting and heating them up.
Step 7:
Lay a tortilla flat, sprinkle some cheese in the middle, and scoop on 1/4 to 1/2 cup of your meat mix. Fold in the sides and roll it up tight.
Step 8:
Keep going until you've used everything up. Enjoy with some sour cream or salsa if you want.

How to Serve and Store

  • These taste best right away while they're still piping hot. Try them with sour cream, fresh salsa, or chunky guacamole.
  • Got extras? Wrap each burrito in aluminum foil or plastic and pop them in the fridge. They'll stay good for about 3 days.
  • When you're hungry again, microwave them for 30-60 seconds or warm them in a 350°F oven for around 10 minutes.

Chef-Approved Tricks

  • Gordon Ramsay says to skip pre-shredded cheese and grate your own cheddar for better melting and flavor.
  • According to Rachael Ray, a little splash of hot sauce on top before eating makes these even tastier.
  • Ina Garten thinks spending a bit more on fancy tomato paste makes the whole sauce taste way better.

MIX IT UP

  • Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef if you want something lighter.
  • Toss in some black beans or sweet corn kernels for extra texture.
  • Switch up the cheese - Monterey Jack or spicy pepper jack can give these a whole new flavor.

Chili Cheese Burrito

A homemade version of Taco Bell’s chili cheese burrito with spiced beef, melted cheese, and creamy beans wrapped in a soft tortilla.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Mariana

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican Fusion

Yield: 10 Servings (10 burritos)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 3 cups of cheddar, shredded.
02 10 soft 10-inch flour tortillas.
03 1 medium onion, chopped into small pieces.
04 A pound of ground beef.
05 1 teaspoon of cayenne spice.
06 3 tablespoons of chili powder.
07 One teaspoon of salt.
08 2 cups of plain water.
09 A 6-ounce can of tomato paste (around 6 tablespoons).
10 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
11 A 16-ounce can of refried beans.
12 A couple of tablespoons of water (for cornstarch mix).

Instructions

Step 01

In a wide pan on medium heat, cook chopped onion and beef together until the beef is no longer pink.

Step 02

Once the grease is drained, sprinkle the meat with salt, chili powder, and cayenne. Stir it all together until mixed.

Step 03

Stir in your beans and tomato paste with the beef mixture. Keep going until it’s smooth and everything’s blended.

Step 04

Stir the cornstarch with a splash of water until clump-free. Pour this into the skillet and heat until it starts to thicken.

Step 05

Melt the shredded cheddar into the beef mixture. Stir occasionally and keep it on the heat for another 10 minutes.

Step 06

To soften the tortillas, either dampen them slightly and warm them in a pan or pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Step 07

Spread cheese on a tortilla, add a few spoons of the thickened filling, fold the edges, and roll it up neatly.

Step 08

Keep rolling the other tortillas until you're out of filling. Add sour cream or salsa on the side when serving, if you’d like.

Notes

  1. Switch up the toppings! Try avocado slices or jalapeños for extra flavor.
  2. Change the heat level by tweaking the amount of cayenne and chili powder.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big pan or skillet.
  • Microwave (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten.
  • Includes dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 400
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein: 20 g