The Best Grilled Cheese Burrito is a deliciously indulgent fusion of two comfort food classics—melty grilled cheese and a hearty burrito. This crave-worthy creation is stuffed with seasoned beef or beans, rice, creamy cheese sauce, and all your favorite burrito fillings, then wrapped in a tortilla and grilled to golden, crispy perfection. It’s the ultimate comfort meal, whether you’re making it for a quick dinner or satisfying a late-night craving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines grilled cheese and burrito in one epic bite
- Golden, crispy exterior with gooey cheese inside
- Totally customizable with proteins and toppings
- Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a filling snack
- Satisfying and loaded with texture and flavor
- Easy to make at home with basic ingredients
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly
- Can be made vegetarian or vegan
- A fast food favorite made better at home
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Large flour tortillas
- Ground beef or plant-based crumbles
- Taco seasoning
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or Spanish)
- Nacho cheese sauce or shredded cheddar
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, or a blend)
- Butter or oil (for grilling)
Optional add-ins:
- Refried beans or black beans
- Jalapeños or hot sauce
- Onions or bell peppers
- Avocado or guacamole
Directions
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with taco seasoning until browned. Set aside.
- Warm tortillas slightly to make them pliable.
- On each tortilla, layer rice, seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and any optional add-ins.
- Fold the sides inward and roll tightly into a burrito.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on one side of the tortilla and place cheese-side down in a buttered skillet over medium heat.
- Grill until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown. Flip and grill the other side until crispy.
- Serve warm with your favorite dips or sauces.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Total time: approximately 30 minutes
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
Variations
- Make it vegetarian with black beans or lentils instead of beef
- Use chipotle sauce or spicy mayo for extra heat
- Add grilled chicken or steak for protein variety
- Swap rice for cauliflower rice for a low-carb version
- Use vegan cheese and sour cream for a plant-based option
- Add corn, onions, or bell peppers for more texture
- Try with different cheese blends like pepper jack or mozzarella
storage/reheating
- Refrigerator: Store wrapped burritos in foil or an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 375°F until warmed through. For best texture, avoid the microwave
FAQs
What makes this different from a regular burrito?
The grilled cheese crust on the outside adds crunch and extra cheesy goodness.
Can I make this burrito vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the beef for beans, lentils, or tofu crumbles.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all melt beautifully.
Do I need to use a cheese sauce?
It adds creaminess, but you can use just shredded cheese if preferred.
Can I meal prep these?
Yes—assemble and store ungrilled burritos in the fridge or freezer, then grill before serving.
How do I keep the burrito from falling apart?
Warm the tortilla before rolling and make sure not to overfill.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not unless you add hot sauce or spicy fillings—easy to customize to your heat level.
Can I make this in a panini press?
Yes! It’s perfect for evenly crisping both sides.
Can I use store-bought burrito fillings?
Yes—pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked rice, and canned beans all work great.
How do I serve this?
Pair with chips, salsa, guacamole, or a side salad for a full meal.
Conclusion
The Best Grilled Cheese Burrito is a flavor-packed, crispy, cheesy masterpiece that brings together the best of burritos and grilled cheese. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to a cozy night in, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep it on repeat.
Description
This Grilled Cheese Burrito is the ultimate mashup of cheesy comfort and bold Tex-Mex flavor. It’s packed with seasoned beef (or a meatless option), rice, beans, and melty cheese, all wrapped in a tortilla and grilled to crispy perfection with even more cheese on the outside. It’s hearty, satisfying, and just plain addictive.
For the Filling:
For the Grilled Cheese Outer Layer:
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Cook the Filling:
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil (if needed) and brown the ground beef or meatless option. Once cooked, stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 23 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat. -
Assemble the Burritos:
On each tortilla, layer 1/4 of the seasoned beef, a scoop of rice, black beans, a spoonful of nacho cheese or shredded cheddar, and a dollop of sour cream. Sprinkle with Mexican blend cheese. -
Wrap it Up:
Roll the tortilla tightly like a burrito—fold in the sides first, then roll up from the bottom. -
Grill with Cheese:
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Sprinkle a small handful of shredded cheese directly onto the skillet in the shape of a circle, roughly the size of your burrito. Let the cheese melt slightly, then place the burrito seam-side down on top. Cook until the cheese is crispy and golden, about 23 minutes. Flip and grill the other side with or without more cheese, as you like. -
Serve:
Slice in half and serve hot with salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce.
Notes
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Add sautéed onions or jalapeños for a flavor boost.
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You can swap sour cream with Greek yogurt or use a spicy chipotle mayo for heat.
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Leftovers can be reheated in a skillet or air fryer to keep them crispy.
