Grilled Cheese Burrito – Whip up a Vegetarian Taco Bell Copycat

Say what you will about Taco Bell but when the craving rings, you gotta hit the bell! There is no Taco Bell out here in the UAE, which is a shame, so when I saw this grilled cheese burrito go viral, I had to try it. But you know I had to put my spin on it, so I am making a vegetarian version, replacing the ground beef with your favorite, BEANS!

Like I said, I like Taco Bell. I have a soft spot in my heart for them when it became a happy hour tradition on Friday nights in college. We would hit the Taco Bell drive through for dinner get whatever flavor of Baja Blast they were hawking and mix in tequila. A gourmet Tex Mex delight! However, I was always annoyed that there were not more options for us vegetarians. Back in the day, there was one vegetarian item on the menu and that was the bean burrito. While it was only $0.99 and delicious, I was very jealous of a chalupa. Can’t we please replace the beef with beans???

So, when I saw this grilled cheese burrito, I knew what I had to do. And let me tell you, you will not miss the meat! So much so, this version actually tasted like Taco Bell. It left me craving a Baja Blast doused with cheap tequila! From the soft tortilla to the spicy, cheesy filling, to salty crispy cheese, this recipe literally transported me back.

Yes, I am using pre packaged ingredients!

Now, I am not usually one for packaged ingredients, but I am using them for this grilled cheese burrito recipe. Not only does it keep things super simple and FAST, but it helped me use up some ingredients that had been sitting in my cupboard for ages. I bought some taco shells for something else and of course it came with the prerequisite taco sauce and seasoning. It was perfect for a night when I had to work late, I was craving the bell, and it came together fast and delicious. Almost like the drive through!

I hope you try this grilled cheese burrito recipe and it transports you a time when your biggest problem was what to wear to happy hour! This recipe makes about 4 stuffed burritos, but you could stretch it to make 6 smaller portions. Although I’m not sure why you want to do such a thing!

Suggested Beverage Pairing:

Baja Blast Mountain Dew with approximately 5 shots of the cheapest tequila you can find.

Ingredients:

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can of red beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup of white rice

4 burrito sized tortillas

1 cup of taco sauce or salsa, divided

2 ounces of taco seasoning (you could also make your own with chili powder, cumin, cayenne (if you like it spicy), and plenty of salt and pepper)

1/2 onion, diced

1 clove of garlic, minced

4 slices of good ole fashion american cheese

1/2 cup of sour cream

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. First, make your tomato rice by combining 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of taco sauce or salsa. Add the rice and steam for about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, add a drizzle of olive oil to a pot and saute the onion until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute before adding both cans of beans. Stir in the taco seasoning and add 3/4 cups of water. Stir to combine and simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. To assemble the burrito, lay the tortilla flat on a cutting board. Cut a piece of american cheese in half and line it down the center of the burrito. Top that with the bean mixture and tomato rice. Drizzle the sour cream over the top and wrap up all that goodness into the tortilla.
4. Now it’s time to fry some cheese. In a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, add 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Place your burrito in that cheese and press firmly to stick. After about 1 minute, flip the burrito over the (the cheese should be melted to the tortilla) and lightly toast the other side for 1 minute.
5. To serve, cut it in half and enjoy the cheesy, spicy, melty goodness!

If you like this, you will love my crispy oven baked tacos and buffalo chicken quesadillas! Or, if you are looking for a breakfast burrito, be sure to check out my McDonald’s copycat recipe!