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Delicious Beefy Melt Burrito inspired by Taco Bell's recipe.

Beefy Melt Burrito

A quick and easy copycat recipe of Taco Bell's Beefy Melt Burrito featuring melty cheese, seasoned beef, and a crispy exterior, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 burritos
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Fast Food, Mexican
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for the best flavor; use 90/10 or ground turkey for leaner option)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade mix (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (OR 3/4 cup shredded + 1/2 cup nacho cheese sauce)
  • 4 large 10-inch flour tortillas
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or butter (for skillet sear)
Optional Ingredients
  • chopped onions For mix-in
  • canned diced green chiles For mix-in
  • a splash of hot sauce For mix-in
  • shredded lettuce For optional topping
  • diced tomato For optional topping
  • sour cream For optional topping

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and break it up. Cook until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if there’s a lot.
  2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef, add 1/2 cup water, stir, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until the mixture thickens, 2–3 minutes. Stir in diced green chiles now if using.
  3. Prepare the cheese: microwave 1/2 cup nacho cheese sauce for 20 seconds and stir, or toss 1 cup shredded cheddar with 2 tablespoons milk to loosen for better melting.
  4. Warm the tortillas so they’re pliable: 20 seconds per tortilla in the microwave or 30 seconds per side in a dry skillet. Warm tortillas fold without splitting.
  5. Spoon about 1/4 of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with your cheese choice and any optional toppings. Fold the bottom up, then fold each side in to form a burrito.
  6. In a clean skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil or butter over medium. Place the burrito seam-side down and cook 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and sealed. Press gently with a spatula for even contact.
  7. Slice and serve immediately. For a hands-off finish, place assembled burritos seam-side down on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until heated through and slightly crisp.

Notes

For a creamier shredded-cheese melt, mix the shredded cheddar with 2 tablespoons milk before assembling. For a shortcut, jarred nacho cheese warmed briefly works fine. If you bake them, brush a little oil or melted butter on the outside for better browning.