Description
Hearty Mexican “loaded smothered beef burritos” bring sizzling southwestern flavors straight to dinner tables. Rich beef, melted cheese, and spicy sauce create an irresistible feast that satisfies you with authentic regional comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats and Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Starches and Bases:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
Seasonings and Flavorings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup salsa
Cheese and Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for inside burritos)
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven temperature to a moderate heat of 375F (190C) for optimal cooking conditions.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium flame, ensuring complete browning and thoroughly draining any accumulated fat.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning into the meat, introducing water and allowing the mixture to simmer until it reaches a rich, thickened consistency.
- Create a hearty filling by combining cooked rice, creamy refried beans, zesty salsa, and a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese with the seasoned beef, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Carefully position tortillas, distributing the robust filling centrally and expertly folding into classic burrito formation, repeating the process for remaining tortillas.
- Arrange burritos carefully in a greased rectangular baking dish, positioning them with seam facing downward to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Generously cascade enchilada sauce across the burritos, ensuring complete coverage, then crown with a layer of Mexican blend cheese for maximum flavor and texture.
- Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven, allowing burritos to bake uncovered until cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling landscape.
- Upon removal, garnish with freshly chopped green onions, vibrant cilantro, and optional dollop of cool sour cream to complement the warm, savory burritos.
- Serve immediately while temperature and flavors are at their peak, inviting diners to savor this hearty meal.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter protein option that keeps the dish exciting and nutritious.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning and salsa to match personal taste preferences without overwhelming the flavors.
- Prepare extra filling and freeze in portions for quick future meals, ensuring you always have a delicious dinner backup that saves time and reduces food waste.
- For gluten-free diets, use corn tortillas and verify seasoning packets are gluten-free, making this hearty dish accessible to more people without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg