Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito | An Easy Copycat Recipe! (2024)

This super cheesy copycat Grilled Cheese Burrito is an even better version than the real deal! Pull this recipe out on the weekends or when friends are over, and impress them with a healthier version of this Taco Bell hit.

Table of Contents

• Make This Taco Bell Favorite at Home!
• What Is On a Grilled Cheese Burrito?
• How to Make a Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito
• Helpful Hints
• Serving Suggestions
• Storing, Reheating, and Freezing
• Get the Recipe
• More Easy, Cheesy Recipes

Make This Taco Bell Favorite at Home!

In 2020, Taco Bell introduced the grilled cheese burrito, and it was a huge success. This cheesy, beef-and-rice-filled burrito had extra crunch thanks to red tortilla strips inside, and a layer of melty cheese on top. Who wouldn’t love that?

Of course, like many seasonal Taco Bell items, sometimes the grilled cheese burrito is available, and sometimes it isn’t. What’s a burrito fanatic to do? Why, recreate the recipe at home, of course!

That’s what I’ve done here, with my ultra-perfect copycat grilled cheese burrito. Whether you are making one in the “off-season” or just trying to eat a little healthier, this homemade version of the restaurant meal is easy, scrumptious, and fun.

(Love Taco Bell? Then you’ve got to check out my other Taco Bell copycats, including Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists!)

What Is On a Grilled Cheese Burrito?

The grilled cheese burrito is definitely super cheesy! Additionally, you’ll find classic burrito items here like seasoned rice, ground beef, and tomatoes. Here’s the list:

• Ground Beef: You can use lean or fatty ground beef, whichever you prefer. It can be helpful to drain any excess grease to keep your burritos from being too moist and falling apart.
• Water: To help dissolve the taco seasoning and make the beef saucy.
• Taco Seasoning: If you want the authentic Taco Bell flavor, I recommend using Taco Bell’s taco seasoning mix.
• Corn: Warm up some sweet corn, whether frozen or canned.
• Flour Tortillas: You will want large, burrito-sized flour tortillas. There’s a lot of filling to wrap up, and a smaller fajita or taco tortilla won’t cut it!
• Mexican Rice: Cooked Mexican rice. You will want to warm it up before you add it to the recipe.
• Tomatoes: I like to use Roma tomatoes here – they are less watery than other tomatoes and won’t make the burritos too moist.
• Cheese Dip: Canned nacho cheese dip, or you can make homemade nacho cheese if you like.
• Sour Cream: This adds the perfect tangy, creamy flavor and texture. You can use Greek yogurt if you prefer.
• Colby Jack Cheese: Shredded, some for the filling and some to melt on the outside of the burritos.
• Tortilla Strips: Adding tortilla strips gives your grilled cheese burrito a little crunch.
• Cilantro: Optional, for garnish.

How to Make a Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito

While this recipe is definitely on the simple side, there are a few steps involved – it’s not really a hands-off process. That’s why I think it’s a good recipe for fun occasions and weekends, but you can also totally make it on a weeknight if you like!

• Make the Taco Meat. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the ground beef. Cook it until it’s browned completely, crumbling it and breaking it up as you go. Once the meat is browned, add the water and taco seasoning, and let the mixture simmer until most of the water has evaporated and the meat is saucy. This should take 4 – 5 minutes. Stir the corn into the taco meat, and then remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.

• Warm up the Tortillas. For the best success at rolling up the burritos, you need to work with warmed tortillas. I warm mine up in the microwave for one minute, flipping them over halfway through. You can also gently warm them in a skillet without oil – you don’t want to fry the tortillas or get them crispy, just warm them up so they’re easier to bend.
• Fill the Burritos. Add a few spoonfuls of the taco meat to the center of each tortilla, and leave about 1 ½ -2 inches on the sides for a border. Add some of the Mexican rice, a couple of tablespoons of tomatoes, some of the cheese sauce, sour cream, shredded cheese, and a handful of tortilla strips.

• Fold Them Up! Roll up each burrito by folding in the sides, and then rolling up to seal.

• Melt Cheese in a Skillet. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Place a small pile of shredded cheese in the pan, and let it melt. It will start to bubble, but don’t let it scorch. Place one burrito on the edge of the melted cheese, and carefully roll it so that the cheese wraps over the burrito.
• Enjoy! Repeat the cheese melting process with the remaining cheese and burritos, and then serve them immediately with freshly minced cilantro for garnish, if desired.

Helpful Hints

With the cheesy outer layer, this grilled cheese burrito recipe may seem a little intimidating. But don’t let that stop you! It’s actually not difficult at all, and these helpful tips will make creating this copycat dish even easier.

• Warm Up: Make sure your rice and corn are heated before starting to assemble the burritos, or the filling won’t be as warm and tasty.
• Prep Ahead: For a simpler cooking process, you can prep all of the ingredients ahead of time, and store them in the fridge for a quick and easy dinner.
• Sandwich Press: Another option for adding the cheese is to lay a sheet of parchment on a heated cast-iron griddle or skillet (it should be low to medium heat, not scorching hot – you don’t want to burn the cheese). Place the cheese on the parchment, nestle your burrito in the cheese, and then press with a second, heated cast iron pan. Yum!

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, a grilled cheese burrito is filling enough to be a meal on its own, without any side dishes – but it’s still nice to add a side or two for extra flavor and contrast. These easy recipes are some of our faves:

• Texas Caviar: Texas Caviar is a salad that doubles as a dip, made with a blend of fresh ingredients including corn, bell peppers, jalapenos, and beans. A bold vinaigrette dressing with Mexican spices adds the perfect finishing touch.
• Mexican Street Corn: Fresh corn on the cob is loaded with creamy mayonesa, cheese, spices, and more, to make this super-popular side dish. The whole family will rave over homemade Mexican Street Corn.
• Guacamole: You can’t go wrong with chips and dip, so for an extra east side dish, grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and make some Authentic Guacamole Recipe – it’s so easy, and so good! And if you are really feeling up for it, you can make some homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips!

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing

What should you do with extra burritos? Here’s your guide to storing and reheating these savory Taco Bell copycats. Enjoy!

• Refrigerator: Once made, grilled cheese burritos are best served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Cool the burritos down, wrap them in foil, and freeze them for up to three months.
• Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. If they start to get too browned, tent them with foil.

More Easy, Cheesy Recipes

• Cheesy Beef Taquitos
• Homemade Chicken Empanadas
• Cheese Enchiladas
• Chicken Enchilada Pasta Bake
• Birria Tacos
• Chili Rellenos in Cream Sauce

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