If you are craving a hearty, comforting meal that combines bold flavors and melty, cheesy goodness all wrapped in a warm tortilla, then this Wet Burritos Recipe is destined to become your new favorite weeknight dinner. Packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, tender rice, and smothered in rich red enchilada sauce with a bubbly cheese topping, these smothered burritos bring a touch of Mexican-American magic right to your table. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this dish is satisfying, easy to make, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Wet Burritos Recipe plays a pivotal role in balancing flavors and textures, making the final dish a perfect ensemble of savory, creamy, and cheesy elements that complement each other beautifully.
- 1 pound ground beef: The hearty protein base that brings rich, meaty flavor and satisfying texture.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Provides a fragrant punch essential to Mexican-inspired dishes.
- 1 packet taco seasoning: The blend of spices that transforms plain beef into a flavorful filling.
- 1 cup water: Used to simmer the seasoning and bring the filling together.
- 1 cup refried beans: Creamy and smooth, they add richness and moisture to the filling.
- 1 cup cooked rice: Adds a tender bite and stretches the filling to make more burritos.
- 6 large flour tortillas: The soft, pliable wrap that holds all the filling and soaks up the sauce.
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce: The key component that makes the burritos “wet,” adding tangy and spicy moisture.
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese: Melts into a gooey, golden topping that’s utterly irresistible.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: For sautéing the beef and aromatics perfectly.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Basic seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
- Optional toppings: Chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced olives brighten and add extra texture.
How to Make Wet Burritos Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. This browning step is where tons of flavor develops! Next, toss in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them together until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant, ensuring every bite has a lovely savory base.
Step 2: Season and Simmer the Filling
Sprinkle in the taco seasoning packet and pour the cup of water to the beef mixture. Stir everything well and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes. This step helps the seasoning meld perfectly with the beef, thickening the mixture slightly so it clings beautifully inside your tortillas.
Step 3: Prepare the Refried Beans and Rice
While the beef filling simmers, warm the refried beans and have your cooked rice ready. Combining these with the beef creates a filling that’s creamy and hearty, ensuring that each bite of your Wet Burritos Recipe is satisfying and balanced.
Step 4: Assemble the Burritos
Lay a large flour tortilla flat on your surface. Spoon a layer of the seasoned beef mixture down the center, followed by a generous helping of refried beans and then the cooked rice. Roll the tortilla tightly, folding in the edges as you go, and place it seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas until your dish is filled.
Step 5: Smother with Sauce and Cheese
Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over the assembled burritos, making sure each one is fully covered for that signature “wet” look and taste. Then sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese all over the top. Pop the dish into a preheated 375-degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The sauce will bubble, and the cheese will melt into a golden, gooey blanket that pulls everything together.
How to Serve Wet Burritos Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes take your Wet Burritos Recipe from wonderful to unforgettable. Think crisp chopped lettuce for crunch, juicy diced tomatoes for vibrant freshness, dollops of sour cream for creamy tang, and sliced olives for a hint of briny goodness. Each topping adds layers of flavor and texture that contrast beautifully with the warm, hearty burritos.
Side Dishes
Serving up simple, bright sides like Spanish rice, refried beans, or a zesty avocado salad perfectly complements the richness of these wet burritos. The freshness of a green salad with lime dressing or some pickled jalapeños also balances the dish and adds a welcome zing.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re looking to impress guests or just want to switch things up, serve your wet burritos sliced in half on a platter, revealing the colorful layers inside. You could also create individual servings by wrapping smaller tortillas and baking them in ramekins covered with sauce and cheese. No matter how you present them, this Wet Burritos Recipe is sure to draw smiles and satisfied sighs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover wet burritos are a blessing! Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The smothered sauce keeps them moist, so reheated portions remain delicious and comforting.
Freezing
To freeze, assemble the burritos and place them in a freezer-safe container or wrap individually in foil and then plastic wrap. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly. You can also microwave individual servings covered with a damp paper towel, heating in 1-minute increments to avoid drying out the tortillas.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works wonderfully in this Wet Burritos Recipe and makes for a lighter alternative while still soaking up all the flavors of the taco seasoning and sauce.
How spicy is this dish?
The base recipe has a mild to medium spice level thanks to the taco seasoning and red enchilada sauce, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding diced green chiles, hot sauce, or jalapeños for that extra kick.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the flour tortillas with your favorite gluten-free tortillas or corn tortillas to keep this Wet Burritos Recipe gluten-free without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely. Simply swap the beef for extra refried beans, sautéed vegetables, or a meat substitute like textured soy protein to create a vegetarian version that’s just as hearty and flavorful.
How do I prevent the tortillas from getting soggy?
To keep the tortillas from getting too soggy, make sure to roll them tightly and don’t overload with filling. Also, baking the burritos covered in sauce and cheese helps the tortillas absorb flavor without turning mushy.
Final Thoughts
This Wet Burritos Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s straightforward to prepare, deeply satisfying, and endlessly customizable to your taste. Whether you’re feeding hungry family members or cozying up for a fun dinner, giving this recipe a try will add a delicious new favorite to your cooking rotation. Grab your tortillas and get ready for a melty, saucy, utterly delicious night!
Print
Wet Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 burritos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Gluten
Description
Wet Burritos are a delicious and hearty Mexican-American dish featuring large flour tortillas stuffed with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and rice. Smothered in rich red enchilada sauce and melted Mexican blend cheese, these baked burritos make a satisfying main course perfect for family dinners. Topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and olives, they offer a flavorful and comforting meal with a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Other Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup cooked rice
Burritos and Toppings
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Optional toppings: chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced olives
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Continue to sauté until the onion is softened and translucent, which will infuse the filling with flavor.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and water into the beef mixture. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, creating a flavorful filling base.
- Warm Beans and Rice: While the beef simmers, heat the refried beans and cooked rice separately until warmed through, so they integrate well into the burritos.
- Assemble Burritos: Lay one large flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon evenly the beef mixture, refried beans, and cooked rice down the center of the tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, making sure to tuck in the sides to prevent spillage. Place the rolled burrito seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat this process for all six tortillas.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over all the assembled burritos in the dish. Then sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese generously on top to cover the burritos.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking dish with the burritos in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. This will heat the burritos through and melt the cheese, creating a bubbly, delicious topping.
- Serve: Remove the baked wet burritos from the oven and serve hot. Garnish with your choice of optional toppings such as chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced olives for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken as a leaner option instead of ground beef.
- For extra heat, add diced green chiles or your favorite hot sauce into the filling mixture.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the flour tortillas with corn tortillas if desired.
- Prepare the filling ahead to save time when assembling the burritos.
