The Iconic Enchirito: Taco Bell’s Legendary Recipe Revived

Comfort food reaches new heights with this ultimate taco bell enchirito recipe that brings restaurant-style magic straight to your kitchen.

Packed with bold flavors and irresistible textures, this dish promises a mouthwatering experience.

The classic combination of tender beef, melted cheese, and zesty sauce creates an instant classic.

We combine traditional Mexican-inspired ingredients with Taco Bell’s signature twist.

Each bite delivers a perfect blend of savory meat, soft tortillas, and creamy sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll love how simple yet delicious this homemade version can be.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to transform your dinner into a flavor-packed fiesta.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 5

Taco Bell Enchirito Ingredient Guide

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty flavor and main protein source; select lean ground beef for healthier option; drain fat completely for better texture.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers classic southwestern spice blend; choose low-sodium version for controlled salt intake; ensures even flavor distribution.

• Flour Tortillas: Creates soft wrapper holding all ingredients; select fresh, pliable tortillas; warm slightly for easier rolling.
• Refried Beans: Adds creamy texture and helps bind ingredients; choose traditional or vegetarian style; ensure smooth consistency before spreading.
• Chopped Onions: Provides fresh, sharp crunch and aromatic depth; use white or yellow onions for milder taste; finely dice for even distribution.

• Red Enchilada Sauce: Delivers tangy, robust sauce coverage; select authentic Mexican-style sauce; ensures moisture and additional flavor layer.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds melty, creamy richness; blend cheddar and monterey jack for complex taste; choose freshly grated for best melting.
• Sour Cream: Offers cool, creamy contrast; select full-fat version for richer taste; adds luxurious finishing touch.
• Sliced Olives: Provides briny, salty accent; use black olives for traditional look; optional but recommended for extra flavor dimension.

Kitchen Tools to Build Your Homemade Enchirito

• Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef evenly and cooking with seasoning.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for gently warming refried beans.
• Baking Dish: Needed to hold and bake the rolled enchiritos.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for precise bean and seasoning measurements.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Cutting Board: For chopping onions and preparing toppings.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing olives and chopping onions.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring beef while cooking.

How to Recreate a Taco Bell

• Brown The Meat

Sizzle ground beef in a skillet until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown color. Drain away extra fat and infuse with zesty taco seasoning, letting it simmer until flavors meld together perfectly.

• Warm Bean Base

Gently heat refried beans in a saucepan, creating a smooth, spreadable foundation for your enchiritos.

• Create Flavor Layers

Spread a creamy bean layer down the center of soft tortillas. Top with seasoned beef and sprinkle fresh onions for a burst of crunch and flavor.

• Craft The Roll

Carefully wrap each tortilla, tucking in sides and positioning them seam-side down in a baking dish, creating neat little flavor packages.

• Sauce And Cheese

Drench rolled tortillas with rich red enchilada sauce, then shower with a blanket of melty cheese that promises irresistible goodness.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into a preheated 350F oven, letting the enchiritos transform into a bubbling, golden masterpiece in 10-15 minutes.

• Final Flourish

Pull from the oven and crown with a dollop of cool sour cream and optional olive slices for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Saucy Ideas to Dress Up Your Enchirito

• Enhance the ground beef by adding a splash of beer or beef broth while simmering to create deeper, richer flavor notes.
• Prepare the enchiritos up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors to meld beautifully before baking.
• Replace ground beef with shredded chicken, pulled pork, or plant-based crumbles for diverse protein options that keep the dish exciting.
• Adjust the heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning, or add diced jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the dish.
• Swap flour tortillas for large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortillas to create a lighter version that's friendly to keto and low-carbohydrate diets.

Serve Enchiritos Fresh from the Oven

• Party Platter Paradise: Create a vibrant taco bar where guests can customize their own Enchiritos with extra toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.
• Fiesta Family Meal: Serve alongside Mexican rice, crispy corn salad, and refreshing guacamole for a complete and satisfying dinner experience that everyone will love.
• Game Night Delight: Cut Enchiritos into bite-sized pieces as fun appetizers during sports events or movie nights, paired with zesty salsa and cold cerveza.
• Leftover: Transform extra Enchiritos into a delicious breakfast by topping with a fried egg and adding hot sauce for a morning kick that will energize your day.

Stash and Reheat Enchiritos with Care

• Wrap individual enchiritos tightly in aluminum foil or place in sealed containers. These tasty rolls stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, making perfect grab-and-go meals.
• Slide prepared enchiritos into freezer-safe bags or containers. They'll maintain delicious quality for up to 2 months when properly packaged. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed enchiritos in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy edges and melty cheese. Microwave works for quick heating, but might soften the tortilla texture.
• Batch cook enchiritos on weekends, then portion into individual containers for easy weekday lunches. Prepare filling ingredients separately to assemble fresh throughout the week, keeping ingredients crisp and flavors vibrant.

FAQs

• What ingredients make an Enchirito different from a regular burrito?

An Enchirito combines elements of an enchilada and a burrito, using red enchilada sauce and being baked with cheese, which distinguishes it from a traditional wrapped burrito.

• Can I make this recipe spicier?

Yes, you can add diced jalapeños to the ground beef or use a spicy taco seasoning to increase the heat level of your Enchirito.

• Is this recipe authentic Mexican cuisine?

This is actually a Taco Bell-inspired dish that blends Tex-Mex flavors, not a traditional Mexican recipe. It’s an Americanized version of Mexican-style cuisine.

• What are some protein alternatives if I don't want to use ground beef?

You can substitute ground beef with shredded chicken, ground turkey, or even a plant-based meat alternative for a different protein option.

Legendary Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired Taco Bell Enchirito delivers a hearty blend of beef, beans, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla. Savory sauce and melted cheese create a satisfying comfort meal for taco enthusiasts across North America.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 packet (1 oz, 28g) taco seasoning mix
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 can (15 oz, 425g) refried beans
• 1 can (10 oz, 285g) red enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup diced onion
• Sliced black olives (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned, drain excess fat, and integrate taco seasoning with water, simmering to develop rich, robust flavors.
2. Bean Conditioning: Gently warm refried beans in a saucepan, whisking to achieve a silky, spreadable texture that will serve as a luxurious base.
3. Tortilla Assembly: Spread a generous stripe of warmed beans across each tortilla, then top with seasoned beef and sprinkle finely diced onions for a zesty crunch.
4. Rolling Technique: Expertly fold and roll tortillas, securing the edges to create compact enchilada packages, positioning them seam-side down in a baking dish.
5. Sauce and Cheese Coating: Drench rolled enchiritos with red enchilada sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then lavishly blanket with shredded cheese for maximum meltiness.
6. Baking Process: Slide into a preheated 350F oven and bake for 15 minutes, watching for cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and crown with optional garnishes like sour cream dollops and sliced black olives for a professional presentation.

Notes

• Master Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is completely browned without burning, draining fat thoroughly for a lean, flavorful filling that prevents soggy enchiritos.
• Bean Consistency Technique: Warm refried beans gently, stirring constantly to achieve a smooth, spreadable texture that prevents clumping and ensures even distribution.
• Perfect Rolling Method: Tuck tortilla sides tightly while rolling to prevent filling from leaking, creating a compact enchilada that holds its shape during baking.
• Cheese Melting Precision: Distribute cheese evenly and watch closely during final baking stage to achieve a golden, bubbling top without overcooking or burning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg