Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
A Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito is a fan favorite! Filled with seasoned beef, melty cheese, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla!
A TACO BELL FAN FAVORITE
If you’re a fan of Taco Bell, you’ve likely had a Chili Cheese Burrito at some point. It’s so simple but so good. Honestly, it’s not the easiest thing to photograph. It’s pretty ugly – but the taste is anything but. Do any of y’all remember the Chilito? I think it was pretty similar. Plus, it comes together in only 20 minutes so this makes for a quick weeknight meal. And since Taco Bell likes to discontinue fan favorites (or maybe because you don’t live near a Taco Bell), it’s nice to be able to recreate it at home. This just might be even better than the original!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yep! I like the consistency the refried beans add to the dish. They’re also a great natural thickener. Plus, a great source of fiber for us older folks, ha! But if beans aren’t your thing, just leave them out.
I have a great 3 ingredient Mexican Rice recipe that would be absolutely delicious with this. Or just pick up your favorite store bought Mexican or Spanish rice to heat up.
Instead of cheddar cheese, you can try whatever shredded cheese you have on hand. Mozzarella cheese, Tex Mex cheese blend, or any other shredded cheese that you enjoy would work well in these.
Of course. It’s not going to be a Taco Bell version but you can certainly do that. You do need to warm up corn tortillas so they don’t tear as you wrap them.
This recipe is best served hot and gooey. You can reheat these for up to 3 days. You can freeze the burritos with each burrito wrapped in parchment paper and placed in an air-tight container.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- ground beef – I used 93% lean beef
- diced yellow onion – I finely dice the onions and cook them with the beef. I think it adds amazing flavor but obviously, if you don’t want onions, leave them out.
- tomato paste
- refried beans – just buy your favorite store bought version. I mean you can certainly make Homemade Refried Beans, but for the sake of easiness, I used canned refried beans. Or if you don’t like beans, leave them out.
- water
- tomato sauce
- packet taco seasoning – you can grab a packet, or make Homemade Taco Seasoning. For those who mention needing chili powder to make this more like chili – keep in mind, taco seasoning has chili powder in it. You could certainly add more if you prefer.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- flour tortillas – I used 8-inch tortillas
HOW TO MAKE TACO BELL CHILI CHEESE BURRITOS:
In a large skillet add the beef and onion over medium heat. Cook and crumble for 7-9 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
Add the tomato paste to the skillet. Stir for 1 minute.
To the skillet add the beans, water, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Stir until combined and thicker.
To the skillet add 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix until fully combined and thick.
You can add an ⅛ of cup of water at a time if you need to thin out the beef and bean mixture more. Scoop 3/4 cup of the beef and bean mixture onto a shell. Top the meat mixture evenly with the remainder of the cheese. Fold the tortillas. I like to fold in the bottom so the mixture doesn’t squeeze out while eating.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Smothered Beef Burritos
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Taco Spaghetti
- Taco Rice
- Taco Braid
- Taco Pizza
- Doritos Taco Casserole
- Taco Potatoes
Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (I used 93% lean)
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided use)
- 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
- In a large skillet add 1 pound ground beef and 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion over medium heat. Cook and crumble for 7-9 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add ⅓ cup tomato paste to the skillet. Stir for 1 minute.
- To the skillet add 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans, 1 cup water, ⅓ cup tomato sauce and 1 ounce packet taco seasoning. Stir until combined and thicker.
- To the skillet add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until fully combined and thick.
- Optional: You can add an ⅛ of cup of water at a time if you need to thin out the beef and bean mixture more.
- Warm up 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas in the microwave. Put the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a slightly damp paper towel, and microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Keep them covered with the paper towel as you prepare the burritos.
- Scoop 3/4 cup of the beef and bean mixture onto a flour tortilla.
- Top the meat mixture evenly with the remainder 2 cups of cheddar cheese.
- Fold the tortillas. I like to fold in the bottom so the mixture doesn’t squeeze out while eating. And enjoy!
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- Beans and onion are optional in this. I think the onion adds a pop of flavor and the beans act as a natural thickener while adding flavor.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
made this last night it was so good! my sister and I loved it have leftovers to freeze I just love your recipes!
Yay! Thanks so very much Penny! I really appreciate you coming back to comment!!
I don’t care if folks don’t think it’s exactly like the one at Taco Bell because it has beans and onions – it’s still damn good!
I worked there for the better part of the 90’s its quart water and a seasoning packet mixed with their taco meat. similar to a hotdog sauce. Zantigo actually made the Chilito famous before Taco Bell stole their idea and bought them out. can’t wait to try your version.
This burrito is better than taco bell. I only subbed the plain tomato sauce with El Pato tomato sauce and added some Herdez green salsa at the end. Delicioso!
Yummy yum yum! My kids loved them & so did we!
The chili cheese burrito is supposedly still available at some locations, but I’ll be doggone if I can find one. They’re not available anywhere near me, that’s for sure.
Also, I don’t think the Taco Bell version has onions because I hate onions and I love those burritos. I would never eat it if it had onions.
You can totally leave them out. Just like the beans. I finely dice the onions & cook them with the meat so they soften up. My Taco Bell doesn’t carry it either but the one in the city next to mine does. Maybe it’s up to the franchisee.
quite a few taco bells in the Midwest still carry them, especially here in Ohio most chains it can be found. on the onion comment it does not typically have onion though I have had it added from time to time and it is very good.
Made these for the wife & kids. The taste is great & easy to make.
Oh yum!! My husband absolutely loved these! Going in our regular menu!
My favorite!!
So so good! Made it the night after you shared the recipe. Everyone gave it two thumbs up!
Growing up an .89 cent chili cheese was sometimes the only thing I had to look forward to after a long day of high school and work! I’m in CA and you’re right they don’t make them. I wrote to Taco Bell’s corporate office via US mail and email about the discontinuation of this AMAZING food item. I have been looking for this receipe for YEARS! THANK YOU SO, SO, SOOOO MUCH! I cannot wait to try this tonight!
I hope you love it Leticia! I think it is only at a few locations around the country now. Some people can seem to find it by them and others not. But now you can make it yourself! I miss those .89 cent days!
Made this last night for the family. Everyone absolutely loved it and let’s be honest, it’s better than the Taco Bell one LOL. So good! We served it with some rice.