Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Serves: 6 burritos
Alright, so these burritos are my go-to when I need dinner on the table fast but still want everyone to actually be excited about it. The sour cream mixed right into the filling makes them super creamy and rich – way better than those dry burritos you sometimes get. My teenager literally said “these slap” which I think means they’re good? Anyway, they’re really easy and you probably have most of this stuff already.
What You Need (Ingredients)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- 6 large flour tortillas
How to Make These Creamy Burritos (Step by Step)
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Throw your ground beef and diced onion in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks – you don’t want big chunks. Cook it until there’s no pink left, about 7-8 minutes. Drain off the grease unless you want super greasy burritos (which, no judgment, but probably not).
Step 2: Add the Beans and Seasoning
Dump in your refried beans and the whole packet of taco seasoning. Stir everything together really well. It’ll look kind of thick and paste-y at first but just keep stirring – it’ll come together.
Step 3: Make It Creamy
Here’s where the magic happens – stir in that sour cream and let everything heat through for a couple minutes. Don’t let it boil or the sour cream might get weird. This is what makes these burritos so much better than regular ones.
Step 4: Fill Those Tortillas
Spoon a good amount of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla – like maybe 1/2 to 3/4 cup depending on how big your tortillas are. Sprinkle some cheese on top of the filling.
Step 5: Roll ‘Em Up
Fold in the sides first, then roll from the bottom up like you’re swaddling a baby burrito. Place them seam side down in a baking dish so they don’t unroll. If you want, throw some extra cheese on top because more cheese is always better.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Stick them in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is all melted and bubbly. If you put cheese on top, it should be golden and gorgeous.
Step 7: Dig In
Let them cool for like 2 minutes so you don’t burn your mouth, then serve with whatever toppings you like – salsa, more sour cream, guacamole, whatever.
Tips That’ll Make These Even Better
- Use good tortillas: The burrito-size ones work best. Don’t try to use the little taco ones or you’ll be sad.
- Warm your tortillas first: Heat them in the microwave for like 15 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel. Warm tortillas are way easier to roll without ripping.
- Don’t overfill: I know it’s tempting, but if you put too much filling in, they’re impossible to roll and everything falls out.
- Crispy option: Want crispy burritos? Brush them with a little oil or butter before baking.
Ways to Mix It Up
- Chicken version: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef
- Spicy style: Add some diced jalapeños or green chiles
- Extra veggies: Throw in some bell peppers with the onions
- Different cheese: Pepper jack or Mexican blend works great
- Black beans: Use black beans instead of refried if you want
What to Serve With These
These go really well with:
- Spanish rice or Mexican rice
- Chips and salsa
- Simple side salad
- Corn on the cob
- Pinto beans on the side
Make Them Ahead
These are perfect for meal prep:
- Make them in the morning, cover with foil, and bake when you get home
- You can even freeze them unbaked for up to 3 months
- Just add about 10 extra minutes if baking from frozen
Storage Tips
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results
- Microwave works too but they won’t be as crispy
- They actually taste great cold the next day (don’t judge me)
Why These Work So Well
The sour cream mixed right into the meat filling is what sets these apart. It keeps everything moist and adds this tangy, creamy flavor that’s just amazing. The refried beans help bind everything together so your burritos don’t fall apart, and baking them gives you that nice crispy outside with the gooey cheese inside.
Budget-Friendly Meal
This recipe is great when money’s tight:
- Ground beef goes on sale all the time
- Most ingredients are pantry staples
- Feeds 6 people for like $15-20
- Leftovers make great lunches
Kid-Friendly Tips
My kids love these because:
- Not too spicy (you control the heat with the taco seasoning)
- Everything’s wrapped up so it’s easy to eat
- They can add their own toppings
- Let them help roll the burritos – they think it’s fun
The Real Deal
Look, these aren’t authentic Mexican food or anything fancy like that. They’re just really good, simple burritos that taste way better than the frozen ones and cost way less than takeout. Sometimes that’s all you need, you know?
Make these on a weeknight and watch your family actually get excited about dinner for once!
