Grilled Cheese Burrito Recipe – Cheesy Copycat Favorite

Get ready to meet your new favourite comfort food obsession. We’ve combined two beloved classics into one incredible creation: the Grilled Cheese Burrito Recipe. Imagine a perfectly seasoned beef burrito, warm and filled with rice and melted cheese, all wrapped up not just in a tortilla, but in an external crust of crispy, golden-brown grilled cheese. It’s the ultimate taco bell copycat that we think is even more delicious when made fresh in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Texture Sensation: We just adore the contrast here! You get the fantastic crunch from the cheesy outer layer, which gives way to the soft, warm, and hearty fillings of a classic beef burrito. It’s truly the best of both worlds in every single bite.
- Wonderfully Easy to Assemble: Although it looks incredibly gourmet, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. It’s a brilliant choice for a weekend treat or a way to make a weeknight dinner feel extra special without any fuss.
- Made with Simple Staples: You won’t need to hunt for any obscure ingredients for this cheesy burrito. Everything can be easily found at your local supermarket, making this a wonderfully accessible and affordable meal.
- Endlessly Adaptable: Think of this recipe as your starting point! Feel free to swap the beef mince for shredded chicken or black beans, add your favourite veggies, or adjust the spice level to your liking. It’s a dish that’s easy to make your own.
The Ultimate Comfort Food Fusion
Some culinary pairings are just meant to be, and this is certainly one of them. The concept of encasing a burrito in a crust of grilled cheese is nothing short of genius. It brilliantly solves the issue of a sometimes-plain burrito exterior, replacing it with a layer of pure, crispy, cheesy goodness. The moment you hear that sizzle as the burrito meets the melting cheese in the pan, you’ll know you’re crafting something truly special. We’ve fine-tuned this beef burrito recipe to guarantee the filling is as extraordinary as the outside. The mince is seasoned beautifully, remaining tender and flavourful, perfectly complemented by the fluffy rice and a creamy element that brings everything together. It’s a harmony of tastes and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Tips for Perfecting Your Grilled Cheese Burrito
To make sure your journey to burrito perfection is a complete triumph, we’ve put together our most valuable tips. By following these pointers, you’ll achieve that coveted golden crust and a filling that stays securely tucked inside.
- Pick the Right Tortilla: The tortilla is the very foundation of your burrito. For this recipe, you’ll want large, 12-inch flour tortillas. Ensure they are fresh and flexible. A quick 10-20 second warm-up in the microwave or a dry frying pan will make them more pliable and far less likely to split when you roll them.
- The Art of the Cheese Blend: Why settle for one type of cheese? For the outer crust, we suggest a mix of Red Leicester for its lovely colour and sharp flavour, and mozzarella for that signature melt and satisfying “cheese pull.” Inside the burrito, a robust mature Cheddar or a Monterey Jack works beautifully.
- Avoid Overfilling: We understand the urge to pack your burrito with as much of the tasty filling as possible, but moderation is crucial! Overstuffing is the main culprit behind split tortillas and messy fillings. As a guide, try to keep all your fillings within the centre third of the tortilla.
- Perfect the Folding Technique: A tight, neat fold is essential for a well-contained burrito. With your filling in the middle, fold the left and right sides inwards. Next, bring the bottom edge (the one nearest you) up and over the filling, tucking it in snugly as you roll forward to create a secure, compact parcel.
- Mind the Temperature: A large, non-stick pan over a medium heat is your best friend here. If the pan is too hot, the cheese on the outside will burn before the filling has a chance to warm through. A medium heat allows the crust to turn golden and crisp while ensuring the inside becomes wonderfully warm and gooey.
Ingredients
- 8 large (12-inch) flour tortillas
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (around 30-40g) taco or fajita seasoning
- 100ml water
- 250g long-grain rice, cooked according to packet instructions
- 200g soured cream
- 200g grated mature Cheddar cheese (for the filling)
- 250g grated cheese blend for grilling (we recommend Red Leicester and Mozzarella)
- 60g unsalted butter, for grilling
- Optional additions: black beans, sweetcorn, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Filling: In a large frying pan over a medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion for 4-5 minutes until it has softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Add the lean beef mince, using a wooden spoon to break it apart. Cook until it is thoroughly browned, then drain away any excess fat.
- Season the Mince: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir to combine. Pour in the 100ml of water, bring it to a simmer, then lower the heat. Allow it to bubble gently for 5-7 minutes until the sauce has thickened nicely. Set it aside.
- Set Up for Assembly: Gently warm your tortillas in a dry pan or microwave to make them flexible. Arrange a clean work area with your warm tortillas, the seasoned beef, cooked rice, soured cream, and the 200g of grated Cheddar for the inside.
- Build the Burritos: Place a tortilla on your work surface. Create a horizontal line of your ingredients in the centre. We suggest starting with a layer of rice, then the beef mixture, a spoonful of soured cream, and a good handful of Cheddar cheese. Be careful not to add too much!
- Fold Securely: Tuck the short sides (left and right) of the tortilla inwards, over the filling. Then, lift the edge of the tortilla closest to you, pulling it up and over the filling snugly. Continue to roll the burrito away from you until you have a tightly sealed parcel. Repeat this process for all remaining tortillas.
- Get Ready to Grill: Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of butter, allowing it to melt and swirl around to coat the pan’s surface.
- Form the Cheese Crust: Sprinkle a generous amount of your grilling cheese blend (about a quarter of the total) directly onto the melted butter, shaping it into a rectangle that’s roughly the size of one burrito.
- Grill to Golden Perfection: Place one burrito, seam-side down, directly onto the bubbling cheese. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, pressing down lightly with a spatula. The cheese will melt, become crispy, and stick to the tortilla, forming a magnificent golden-brown crust.
- Finish and Serve Hot: Gently flip the grilled cheese burrito. You might want to add a little more butter to the pan. Cook on the second side for another 2-3 minutes until the tortilla is golden. Take it out of the pan and continue with the remaining burritos. Serve immediately while they are hot and wonderfully crisp. For another brilliant, cheesy family dinner, you must try our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
So, there you have it—our complete guide to making the most incredible Grilled Cheese Burrito right at home. This is so much more than a simple dinner; it’s a culinary experience. It’s ideal for a cosy night in, for impressing your dinner guests, or just for when you fancy the ultimate comfort food treat. Once you’ve fallen in love with this, why not try another of our creative recipes like these tasty Bang Bang Chicken Thighs? We’re so excited for you to try this recipe, so please do leave us a comment and a rating below to share your thoughts!
Recipe Card

Ingredients
- 8 large (12-inch) flour tortillas
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet (around 30-40g) taco or fajita seasoning
- 100ml water
- 250g long-grain rice, cooked according to packet instructions
- 200g soured cream
- 200g grated mature Cheddar cheese (for the filling)
- 250g grated cheese blend for grilling (we recommend Red Leicester and Mozzarella)
- 60g unsalted butter, for grilling
- Optional additions: black beans, sweetcorn, or jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Filling: In a large frying pan over a medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion for 4-5 minutes until it has softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Add the lean beef mince, using a wooden spoon to break it apart. Cook until it is thoroughly browned, then drain away any excess fat.
- Season the Mince: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir to combine. Pour in the 100ml of water, bring it to a simmer, then lower the heat. Allow it to bubble gently for 5-7 minutes until the sauce has thickened nicely. Set it aside.
- Set Up for Assembly: Gently warm your tortillas in a dry pan or microwave to make them flexible. Arrange a clean work area with your warm tortillas, the seasoned beef, cooked rice, soured cream, and the 200g of grated Cheddar for the inside.
- Build the Burritos: Place a tortilla on your work surface. Create a horizontal line of your ingredients in the centre. We suggest starting with a layer of rice, then the beef mixture, a spoonful of soured cream, and a good handful of Cheddar cheese. Be careful not to add too much!
- Fold Securely: Tuck the short sides (left and right) of the tortilla inwards, over the filling. Then, lift the edge of the tortilla closest to you, pulling it up and over the filling snugly. Continue to roll the burrito away from you until you have a tightly sealed parcel. Repeat this process for all remaining tortillas.
- Get Ready to Grill: Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of butter, allowing it to melt and swirl around to coat the pan’s surface.
- Form the Cheese Crust: Sprinkle a generous amount of your grilling cheese blend (about a quarter of the total) directly onto the melted butter, shaping it into a rectangle that’s roughly the size of one burrito.
- Grill to Golden Perfection: Place one burrito, seam-side down, directly onto the bubbling cheese. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, pressing down lightly with a spatula. The cheese will melt, become crispy, and stick to the tortilla, forming a magnificent golden-brown crust.
- Finish and Serve Hot: Gently flip the grilled cheese burrito. You might want to add a little more butter to the pan. Cook on the second side for another 2-3 minutes until the tortilla is golden. Take it out of the pan and continue with the remaining burritos. Serve immediately while they are hot and wonderfully crisp.
