Few things send my taste buds into happy overdrive quite like Wet Burritos—a classic comfort food that delivers big on flavor, texture, and that all-important ooey-gooey, saucy satisfaction! These hearty burritos come loaded with a savory beef and bean filling, wrapped in flour tortillas, covered in melting cheese, and smothered in a rich enchilada sauce. Every forkful is pure bliss, from the zesty filling to the bubbly, cheesy top and all the fresh garnishes. If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner, Wet Burritos are your new best friend.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish is how every ingredient pulls its weight—each one brings a pop of flavor or a creamy texture or a punch of color. Stick to these essentials for the best Wet Burritos, and feel free to swap here and there to match your cravings or pantry supplies.
- Ground beef (1 pound): The savory backbone, giving the filling richness and heartiness.
- Small onion, diced: Sweet, aromatic flavor that brightens up the beef.
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Adds an earthy depth and irresistible aroma.
- Taco seasoning (1-ounce packet): All the spices you need, pre-mixed for ultimate convenience and big taste.
- Water (1/4 cup): Helps the seasoning coat every crumble of beef perfectly.
- Refried beans (15-ounce can): Creamy and hearty, these make the filling luxuriously thick.
- Flour tortillas, burrito size (4): Big enough to hold all that delicious filling and roll up beautifully.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups, divided): This brings the melt, the pull, and that golden topping everyone loves.
- Red enchilada sauce (10-ounce can): For smothering the burritos with saucy, tangy goodness.
- Tomato sauce (1/2 cup): Adds body and a gentle sweet touch to the sauce.
- Cumin (1/2 teaspoon): Warm, smoky spice that deepens every bite.
- Chili powder (1/4 teaspoon): For a subtle, warming kick in the sauce.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup, for serving): A cool, creamy finishing touch that balances all the bold flavors.
- Chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions: Fresh, crunchy, and colorful garnishes you won’t want to skip.
How to Make Wet Burritos
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Onions
Start by heating up your kitchen with a hearty sizzle! In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together. The beef should be browned, and the onion soft—usually about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and give it just another minute to bloom, releasing its incredible aroma into the mix. This step sets the stage for the robust filling that makes Wet Burritos so crave-worthy.
Step 2: Season and Thicken
Drain off any excess grease, then sprinkle the taco seasoning right onto your beef mixture. Add the water, stirring everything together to evenly coat those savory bites. Let this simmer for a couple of minutes—just enough for the seasoning to thicken and cling to the meat. The whole mixture transforms and gets deeply flavorful, which is exactly what makes each bite of these Wet Burritos so satisfying.
Step 3: Stir in the Beans
Next, stir the refried beans straight into your skillet with the seasoned beef. Trust me, this fusion is what takes the filling from good to absolutely irresistible. The beans bring creaminess and body, turning the mixture into a velvety, cohesive filling that’s perfect for nestling inside those big tortillas.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
While the filling works its magic, get your sauce going. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the red enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, and chili powder. Let it warm gently as you assemble the burritos. This simple sauce brings a tangy, gently spicy wave of flavor—the signature of all great Wet Burritos.
Step 5: Assemble the Burritos
Now for the fun part: take each large flour tortilla and spoon that marvelous beef and bean mixture right down the center. Sprinkle with a generous handful (about 1/2 cup) of shredded cheese. Tuck in the sides and roll up each burrito tightly, then nestle them seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This step is where everything starts to feel like comfort food at its best!
Step 6: Smother and Bake
Pour your simmering enchilada sauce mixture evenly over the burritos, making sure every inch is drenched. Scatter the rest of the shredded cheddar on top; this ensures you get luscious, melty cheese in each bite. Cover lightly with foil and bake at 375°F for around 15 minutes, then remove the foil and let them bake another 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly and gloriously melted on top. The irresistible aroma will let you know these Wet Burritos are ready.
How to Serve Wet Burritos
Garnishes
Finishing touches make all the difference. A cool dollop of sour cream, a generous handful of chopped lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, and a sprinkling of sliced green onions create a beautiful, colorful contrast to the rich, saucy burritos. These garnishes add bold freshness and help balance all the robust flavors. Each bite feels vibrant and new.
Side Dishes
Wet Burritos shine on their own, but pairing them with simple sides can turn dinner into an all-out fiesta. Try classic Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice, zesty black beans, or even street corn salad for something fresh and tangy. A big bowl of chips and guacamole never goes amiss, either. These sides round out the meal and make it feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your Wet Burritos up a notch by serving them in individual cast iron skillets, or line up a row of them on a colorful platter for a family-style feast. For extra fun, set up a burrito bar where everyone can customize their own garnishes and sides. Whether plated individually or served family-style, the saucy, cheesy top and vibrant garnishes make these burritos show-stoppers every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Wet Burritos (lucky you!), simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer the burritos to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, making them a great option for meal-prep lunches or the quickest, coziest dinner.
Freezing
Wet Burritos are a freezer hero. Assemble the burritos, pour over the sauce, and sprinkle with cheese, then cover and freeze before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. This makes busy weeknights a total breeze—you’ll be so glad you planned ahead!
Reheating
For the best results, reheat leftover Wet Burritos in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, until warmed through (usually about 20 minutes). If you’re in a hurry, a couple of minutes in the microwave will also do the trick—just be sure to cover them so the sauce doesn’t make a mess. Reheating restores that luscious sauciness and melts the cheese all over again.
FAQs
Can I make Wet Burritos vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for canned black beans, sautéed peppers and onions, or even a mix of quinoa and veggies. Use vegetarian refried beans and go wild with extra cheese and veggies for a satisfying meatless version.
What’s the secret to not getting soggy burritos?
The key is to bake them just until hot and cheese is melted. Make sure your filling isn’t too runny, and pour the sauce over right before baking—this keeps the tortillas from breaking down or turning mushy.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
You sure can! Shredded rotisserie chicken or even ground turkey are excellent substitutes in Wet Burritos. Season them just like you would the beef and follow the recipe as written for a delicious twist.
How spicy are these Wet Burritos?
The spice level is moderate as written, just enough to keep things interesting. If you love extra heat, fire it up with hot enchilada sauce, extra chili powder, or jalapeños mixed into the filling. Prefer it mild? Use mild taco seasoning and sauce—there’s tons of wiggle room.
Can I assemble Wet Burritos ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble your burritos and refrigerate them (without sauce) for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pour the sauce and cheese over the top and pop them in the oven. This is a huge time-saver for busy evenings or when you’re hosting guests.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to shake up dinner with something hearty, packed with flavor, and unbelievably easy, Wet Burritos should be at the top of your list. From cozy weeknights to game-day feasts, this recipe is a keeper. I hope you’ll give these saucy, cheesy, ever-versatile burritos a try—and maybe even make them a regular star at your table!
Print
Wet Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These delicious Wet Burritos are a comforting and hearty meal that combines seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheese, all smothered in a savory enchilada sauce. Baked to perfection, these burritos are then topped with more cheese and served with classic toppings like sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Ingredients
For the Beef and Bean Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
For the Enchilada Sauce:
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream (for serving)
- Chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water, simmer until thickened. Add refried beans, heat through.
- Combine enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, and chili powder in a saucepan, simmer.
- Assemble burritos: Fill tortillas with beef mixture, cheese. Roll up, place seam-side down in baking dish.
- Pour sauce over burritos, top with cheese. Bake covered, then uncovered until bubbly.
- Serve warm with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Notes
- You can swap the ground beef for other proteins or a vegetarian filling.
- Add rice or sautéed peppers for extra texture.
- These burritos freeze well—assemble and freeze before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
