Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito Recipe

Grilled cheese sandwiches and burritos are two beloved comfort foods that have stood the test of time. The grilled cheese offers the perfect balance of crispy, buttery bread and gooey, melty cheese. Meanwhile, burritos provide a delightful combination of flavors and textures, wrapped in a warm tortilla. But what happens when you bring the two together? You get the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito – an epic fusion of cheesy goodness and the heartiness of a burrito.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Grilled Cheese

The key to a great Grilled Cheese Burrito starts with the grilled cheese itself. Follow these steps for the best possible grilled cheese sandwiches:

1. Butter the Bread: Take your bread slices and spread a thin, even layer of butter on one side of each slice. The butter adds a rich flavor and ensures the bread gets golden and crispy when grilled.

2. Layer the Cheese: On the unbuttered side of four slices of bread, layer the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. These cheeses will melt beautifully and create the perfect gooey texture.

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3. Grill the Cheese Sandwiches:

   • Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
   • Place the bread slices, buttered side down, on the skillet.
   • Grill each side of the bread until it’s golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Flip carefully to avoid the cheese spilling out. You want the cheese to melt thoroughly, creating a gooey center.
   • Once both sides are golden and the cheese is fully melted, remove the sandwiches from the pan.

4. Cool Slightly: Let the grilled cheese sandwiches cool for a couple of minutes before slicing them into smaller pieces. This will make them easier to handle when assembling the burrito.

Step 2: Prepare the Burrito Filling

While the grilled cheese sandwiches are cooling, you can focus on preparing the hearty burrito filling. Follow these steps for a flavorful and satisfying filling:

1. Cook the Protein:

   • In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the ground beef (or your protein of choice). Break it up with a spoon as it cooks and brown it until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Drain any excess fat from the meat.

2. Sauté Vegetables and Flavorings:

   • To the browned meat, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato paste (or salsa). If you’re using taco seasoning, follow the instructions on the packet or adjust according to taste. The seasoning should coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
   • Add a little water (about 1/4 cup) if the mixture seems too dry. Let it simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors.

3. Add the Extras:

   • Stir in the cooked rice, black beans (optional), and corn. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra taco seasoning if necessary.

4. Optional Heat: If you like a bit of heat, add sliced fresh jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the mixture. Mix well.

Step 3: Assemble the Grilled Cheese Burrito

Now that you have the grilled cheese and the burrito filling ready, it’s time to assemble your Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito. Follow these steps for perfect assembly:

1. Warm the Tortillas: Heat your large flour tortillas on a dry skillet or in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to make them more pliable and easier to roll.

2. Layer the Ingredients:

   • Start by placing one grilled cheese sandwich (or two, depending on your tortilla size) in the center of the warm tortilla. If you’ve cut the grilled cheese into smaller pieces, place them in a single layer.
   • On top of the grilled cheese, spoon a generous portion of the taco meat and rice mixture.
   • Add a handful of shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and any other fresh vegetables or toppings you like.

3. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the burrito with extra shredded cheese to ensure everything sticks together as it melts inside.

4. Wrap the Burrito:

   • Fold in the sides of the tortilla and then carefully roll it from the bottom up, tucking in the edges as you go.
   • Ensure the burrito is tightly rolled so it doesn’t fall apart while eating.

Step 4: Grill the Burrito

For that signature crispy texture, you’ll want to grill the whole burrito:

1. Heat a Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and lightly butter or spray with cooking spray.

2. Grill the Burrito: Place the assembled burrito seam-side down onto the skillet. Grill it for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the tortilla is golden and crispy, with a slight crunch.

3. Flip Carefully: Be sure to flip carefully, ensuring the filling stays inside. You can press down gently to ensure the burrito gets crisp and sealed on all sides.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your burrito is grilled to perfection, it’s time to enjoy it!

1. Garnish: Slice the burrito into halves or quarters for easy serving. Top with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa. Fresh cilantro adds a nice touch for color and flavor.

2. Pairing: Serve the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito with a side of chips, a refreshing salad, or a nice cold beverage like iced tea or a margarita.

Variations and Customizations

While the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito recipe is already packed with flavor, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your preferences. Here are a few variations to try:

1. Vegetarian Grilled Cheese Burrito:

   • Replace the ground beef with plant-based protein, beans, or grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions.
   • Use vegan cheese for a dairy-free option.

2. Breakfast Burrito:

   • Add scrambled eggs or breakfast sausage to the filling.
   • Incorporate avocado and sautéed spinach for extra flavor.

3. Spicy Grilled Cheese Burrito:

   • Use spicy pepper jack cheese or add a drizzle of hot sauce to the filling.
   • Include more jalapeños or chili peppers in the filling for a fiery kick.

4. BBQ Grilled Cheese Burrito:

   • Swap the taco seasoning for smoky BBQ seasoning.
   • Use pulled pork or chicken as the protein, and drizzle with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito is a true culinary masterpiece, combining two iconic comfort foods into one deliciously indulgent meal. With gooey cheese, a savory filling, and crispy grilled perfection, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, looking for a quick meal, or just want to treat yourself to something epic, the Grilled Cheese Burrito is the ultimate fusion of cheesy goodness and burrito bliss. Enjoy!

Yield: 4

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito Recipe

Print

Grilled cheese sandwiches and burritos are two beloved comfort foods that have stood the test of time. The grilled cheese offers the perfect balance of crispy, buttery bread and gooey, melty cheese. Meanwhile, burritos provide a delightful combination of flavors and textures, wrapped in a warm tortilla. But what happens when you bring the two together? You get the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burrito – an epic fusion of cheesy goodness and the heartiness of a burrito.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Grilled Cheese:
• 8 slices of bread (your choice of white, sourdough, or whole wheat)
• 4 tablespoons of butter (softened, for spreading)
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack)
• For the Burrito:
• 1 lb ground beef or chicken (or vegetarian option like black beans or tofu)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning blend)
• 1 cup cooked rice (optional, but adds texture)
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
• 1/2 cup guacamole (or sliced avocado)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salsa or hot sauce (optional, for extra kick)
• 4 large flour tortillas (soft and pliable)

Instructions

Step 1: Grilled Cheese Prep

1. Butter the Bread: Spread butter generously on one side of each slice of bread.
2. Assemble the Sandwiches: Place 2 slices of bread (buttered side out) on a flat surface. Add a good amount of shredded cheese between them.
3. Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Grill the sandwiches for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Repeat for the remaining sandwiches. Set them aside.

Step 2: Cook the Filling

1. Cook the Protein: In a skillet, cook the ground beef or chicken until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Season: Add the taco seasoning to the meat, following the instructions on the packet (usually adding water and simmering). Stir in cooked rice if desired and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Assemble the Burrito

1. Warm the Tortillas: Briefly heat the tortillas on a dry pan or microwave them to make them soft and easy to fold.
2. Layer the Ingredients: Lay each grilled cheese sandwich flat on a tortilla. Add the seasoned meat mixture on top of the grilled cheese, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions (if using), guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
3. Wrap It Up: Carefully fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up tightly to form a burrito.

Step 4: Optional Final Grilling

For extra crispiness, place the burritos seam-side down in the skillet and grill for an additional 2-3 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden.

Notes

Customization: You can substitute the ground beef or chicken with ground turkey, beans, or even grilled veggies for a vegetarian option.

Cheese Options: Mix up the cheese blend to your liking—provolone, pepper jack, or Swiss all make great additions.

Extra Flavor: Add jalapeños, pickles, or sautéed onions for extra flavor in the burrito.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with extra salsa, guacamole, or a side of chips for a full meal.