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Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito

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Brown beef with onions and spices, thicken with cornstarch, add beans and tomato paste, melt in cheese, then wrap in tortillas.

Tags: #quick-recipes #beef #cheese

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Clare Greco
Updated on Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:02:10 GMT
Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito | recipesbyclare.com
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Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burritos combine seasoned beef, onion, refried beans, tomato paste, and melted cheddar in ten warm flour tortillas. A cornstarch slurry gives the filling the thick, cohesive texture needed for tidy rolling.

The recipe makes exactly 10 burritos. Preparation takes 10 minutes, cooking takes 20 minutes, and the listed total is 30 minutes. Beef browns for 6–8 minutes, the slurry thickens for 2–3 minutes, and the assembled burritos are served immediately.

Copycat Chili Cheese Burrito Ingredients

Ground beef, onion, spices, water, cornstarch, refried beans, tomato paste, cheddar, and ten tortillas
Ground beef, onion, spices, water, cornstarch, refried beans, tomato paste, cheddar, and ten tortillas | Recipes by Clare
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Use 1 lb ground beef, 1 medium diced yellow onion, 3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 2 cups water.

The slurry needs 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir in one 16 oz can refried beans, one 6 oz can tomato paste, and 3 cups shredded cheddar, divided. Wrap the filling in exactly 10 large 10-inch flour tortillas.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Sloppy Joe Casserole.

How to Make Copycat Chili Cheese Burritos

Four stages showing browned beef, simmering seasoned sauce and slurry, bean and cheese filling with ten tortillas, and ten rolled burritos
Four stages showing browned beef, simmering seasoned sauce and slurry, bean and cheese filling with ten tortillas, and ten rolled burritos | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Brown beef and onion over medium-high for 6–8 minutes, then drain.
  2. Add chili powder, cayenne, and salt for 30 seconds. Pour in 2 cups water and simmer.
  3. Whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir it in and simmer 2–3 minutes.
  4. Mix in refried beans and tomato paste.
  5. Stir 1½ cups cheddar into the skillet until melted.
  6. Warm ten tortillas for 15 seconds. Add remaining cheese and ¼–½ cup filling to each.
  7. Fold the sides, roll tightly, and serve warm.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Brown the Beef and Onion

Bloom the Three Seasonings

Add Two Cups Water and Simmer

Thicken for Two to Three Minutes

Mix in Beans and Tomato Paste

Melt One and a Half Cups Cheddar

Warm Ten Large Tortillas

Finished copycat chili cheese burrito with thick beef bean filling and cheddar
Finished copycat chili cheese burrito with thick beef bean filling and cheddar | recipesbyclare.com
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Fill and Roll Exactly Ten Burritos

Serve Warm and Store Safely

Keep the Chili Filling Rollable

Conclusion

Brown 1 lb beef and onion for 6–8 minutes and drain. Add chili powder, cayenne, and salt for 30 seconds, then 2 cups water. Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water; stir in and simmer 2–3 minutes. Add refried beans, tomato paste, and 1½ cups cheddar. Warm ten tortillas, fill with remaining cheese and ¼–½ cup chili mixture, then roll tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many burritos does the recipe make?

It makes exactly ten chili cheese burritos.

→ Why is cornstarch used?

The slurry thickens the chili mixture so it stays cohesive inside the tortillas.

→ How much cheddar melts into the filling?

Melt 1½ cups into the skillet and reserve the other 1½ cups for assembly.

→ How much filling goes in each tortilla?

Use about ¼–½ cup chili mixture per 10-inch tortilla.

4.60 from 76 votes

Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito

Preparation Time:
10 Minutes
Cook Time:
20 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
30 Minutes
Number of Servings:
10
Copycat Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
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Homemade version of Taco Bell's chili cheese burrito with seasoned beef, beans, and cheese. Better than the original!

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Chili Meat Base

  • Filling Components

  • Assembly

How to Make It

1.

1. Cook the Beef Base: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.

2.

2. Season and Add Liquid: Stir in the chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a simmer.

3.

3. Thicken the Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the beef mixture and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens up nicely.

4.

4. Add Beans and Tomato Paste: Stir in the refried beans and tomato paste, mixing everything together until well combined. The mixture should be thick and saucy, just like the Taco Bell filling.

5.

5. Melt in the Cheese: Add 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet and stir until it's completely melted and the filling is creamy and smooth. Remove from heat.

6.

6. Warm the Tortillas: If your tortillas are cold or stiff, warm them in the microwave for 15 seconds to make them more pliable for rolling.

7.

7. Assemble the Burritos: Place a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle a pinch of the remaining cheese down the center. Add about ¼ to ½ cup of the chili meat mixture on top. Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to create a neat burrito.

8.

8. Serve: Serve immediately while warm, with sour cream and salsa on the side if you like. These taste just like the real deal!

Extra Information

  1. This homemade version lets you control the spice level and customize exactly how you like it.
  2. The cornstarch slurry is key to getting that thick, authentic Taco Bell texture.
  3. You can freeze these burritos individually wrapped for quick meals later - they keep for up to 3 months.
  4. Try different cheese blends like Mexican mix, pepper jack, or mozzarella for variety.
  5. Add diced bell peppers or jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra flavor and crunch.

Essential Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large spoon or spatula

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten from flour tortillas
  • Contains dairy from cheddar cheese
  • May contain soy in refried beans

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 359
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 18 g