Grilled Cheese Burrito

Highlight: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

This grilled cheese burrito features a perfectly seasoned beef filling combined with creamy nacho cheese sauce, spicy mayo, and fried rice wrapped in a large flour tortilla. Grilled until the cheese forms a golden, crispy crust on the outside, it offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Ideal for weekend dinners or a special treat, it’s customizable and easy to prepare. Rolling technique ensures a snug wrap that holds fillings during grilling, making this a delicious comfort food fusion.

Luna chef wearing a white shirt.
Crafted By Luna
Updated on Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:20:55 GMT
A grilled cheese burrito with rice and meat. Save
A grilled cheese burrito with rice and meat. | myhomemademeal.com

This grilled cheese burrito was born from my daughter's obsession with a food truck favorite she could not stop talking about. After multiple attempts to perfect the crispy cheese crust without burning or spilling fillings, I finally nailed it. Now it is our go-to indulgent treat that feels special without the restaurant price or hassle.

When my friend Sarah tried it, she immediately wanted to learn the technique because it looked irresistible and tasted even better. These burritos make every weekend feel like a special occasion.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: with smoked paprika and oregano to create rich flavorful filling
  • Large flour tortillas: sized to hold generous fillings without tearing
  • Nacho cheese sauce: thick and creamy for gooey indulgence
  • Spicy mayo: made with mayo and sriracha or chipotle for heat and creaminess
  • Mexican cheese blend: melts perfectly to create the crispy outer crust

Step-by-Step Instructions

Build The Perfect Beef Filling:
Heat olive oil over medium in a large skillet. Cook chopped onion until soft and translucent, about five minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano, stirring for one minute. Pour in tomato sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for five minutes to meld flavors.
Assemble Like A Pro:
Lay flour tortillas flat. Spread one tablespoon of spicy mayo down the center of each tortilla to serve as a flavor base and binder.
Layer Fillings:
Add a scoop of fried rice, drizzle warm nacho cheese sauce, dollop sour cream, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips for crunch. Top with seasoned beef making sure not to overfill.
Roll Them Tight:
Fold in tortilla sides then roll from bottom up, keeping fillings snug to prevent spilling during grilling.
Create Crispy Cheese Crust:
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Optionally sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese on the hot surface. Place burrito seam-side down onto cheese and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden crispy crust forms.
Finish With Perfection:
Flip burrito carefully with spatula and cook other side 2-3 minutes until equally crispy. Remove and rest briefly before cutting in half to serve.
A stack of grilled cheese burritos. Save
A stack of grilled cheese burritos. | myhomemademeal.com

This dish reminds me of those cozy Friday nights when homemade food feels like a treat everyone loves

Storage Tips

Best enjoyed fresh with crispy crust but seasoned beef filling keeps well refrigerated for up to three days

Assembled burritos can be wrapped and refrigerated a few hours before grilling bring to room temperature for even cooking

Leftovers reheat nicely in a skillet over medium heat to regain crispness

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap ground beef for seasoned chicken carnitas or black beans for vegetarian option

Use regular cooked rice or Spanish rice if fried rice is unavailable

Try pepper jack cheese for a spicier crust or add crispy bacon bits to filling for extra indulgence

Serving Suggestions

Serve with extra spicy mayo for dipping and simple sides like chips and salsa or a fresh green salad

Cold beer or iced tea pairs well with the bold flavors

Cut in half diagonally to showcase layers and make sharing easy

A grilled cheese burrito with rice and meat. Save
A grilled cheese burrito with rice and meat. | myhomemademeal.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make these burritos ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef filling in advance, but assemble and grill the burritos fresh to maintain the crispy cheese crust.

→ What if I don't have fried rice?

Regular cooked rice or Spanish rice can be used instead, or omit it and add more beans or beef.

→ How do I keep the burritos from falling apart?

Roll the tortillas tightly and place seam-side down when grilling. Avoid overfilling to prevent bursting.

→ Can I bake these instead of grilling?

Yes, bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

→ What other fillings can I add?

Try black beans, jalapeños, lettuce, diced tomatoes, or other favorite burrito ingredients, but avoid overstuffing.

Grilled Cheese Burrito

Crispy burrito with seasoned beef, cheese, and spicy mayo grilled to perfection with a melty crust.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Duration
20 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Crafted By: Luna

Recipe Type: Main Dishes

Preparation Complexity: Moderate Challenge

Regional Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Servings Output: 4 Serving Size (4 large burritos)

Dietary Choices: ~

Everything You’ll Need

→ Seasoned Beef

01 1 lb ground beef
02 1 tbsp olive oil
03 1 medium onion, chopped
04 1 tsp salt and black pepper to taste
05 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 1 tsp dried oregano
07 1/2 cup tomato sauce

→ Burrito Assembly

08 4 large flour tortillas
09 3 tbsp spicy mayo
10 1 cup cooked fried rice
11 1 cup warm nacho cheese sauce
12 1 cup sour cream
13 1 cup crushed tortilla chips

→ For Grilling

14 Shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)

Steps to Cook

Step 01

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano, stirring for 1 minute. Pour in tomato sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 02

Lay flour tortillas flat. Spread about 1 tablespoon of spicy mayo down the center of each tortilla to create a flavor base.

Step 03

Layer fried rice, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and seasoned beef onto each tortilla, being careful not to overfill.

Step 04

Fold in the sides of each tortilla, then roll tightly from the bottom up to keep fillings snug and prevent spills during cooking.

Step 05

Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Optionally, sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese on the hot surface. Place burrito seam-side down on the cheese and cook 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until both sides are crispy.

Step 06

Cut burritos in half and serve immediately while cheese crust is melty and crispy. Offer extra spicy mayo for dipping.

Extra Suggestions

  1. Roll burritos tightly to prevent filling from spilling during grilling.
  2. Adjust cheese amount carefully to achieve a crispy crust without burning.
  3. Use medium heat to allow cheese to crisp without burning before burrito is warmed through.
  4. Seasoned beef filling can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to three days.
  5. Allow assembled burritos to come to room temperature before grilling for even heating.

Must-Have Equipment

  • Large skillet for cooking beef
  • Non-stick skillet or griddle for grilling
  • Sharp knife and cutting board

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient details for potential allergens. Consult an expert if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy, gluten, and potential allergens in sauces

Nutritional Highlights (per portion)

Nutritional information is shared for guidance and isn't meant to replace expert medical advice.
  • Caloric Content: 720
  • Fat Breakdown: 38 grams
  • Carbohydrate Breakdown: 45 grams
  • Protein Count: 32 grams