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Copycat Taco Bell Beefy Melt Burrito

If you love Taco Bell’s Beefy Melt Burrito, you’re going to be obsessed with this homemade version. It’s packed with seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, fluffy Mexican rice, melty cheese, tangy sour cream, and that signature crunch from Fritos. Best of all? It’s easy, customizable, and so much more flavorful than the drive-thru original.

This recipe brings together everything you crave in a classic fast-food burrito—but with fresher ingredients and bold, homemade flavor. My husband even said it beats Taco Bell every time!

⭐ Featured Reader Review

“This recipe was better than anything you could buy at Taco Bell. I tried it with and without the Fritos and actually liked it better without!” – Pug mamma

Ingredients You’ll Need

This copycat burrito is surprisingly simple! Here’s everything that goes inside:

For the Beef & Beans

  • 1 lb lean ground beef – Lean beef means less grease and no draining needed.
  • 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning – Use your favorite blend.
  • ¼ cup water or beef broth – Helps the seasoning coat the meat.
  • 1 cup refried beans – Canned or homemade both work great.

For Assembly

  • 2 cups cooked Mexican rice – Fresh or leftover.
  • 4 large burrito-size flour tortillas
  • 2 cups Fritos or Doritos – For that Taco Bell-style crunch.
  • 1 cup warm cheese dip – Nacho cheese or white queso.
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Salsa (optional)

Can I Use Different Chips?

Absolutely! Fritos are classic, but Doritos, tortilla chips, or even grain-free chips work well. Just pick something crunchy that won’t get soggy too quickly.

Can I Substitute Chicken?

Yes! Swap the ground beef for:

  • Ground chicken
  • Shredded salsa chicken
  • Diced cooked chicken breast or thighs

Season and cook it the same way you would the beef.

How to Make a Copycat Beefy Melt Burrito

1. Cook the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium and cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and water, let it simmer for a minute, then stir in the refried beans. If the mixture seems thick, splash in a bit more water.

2. Prep the Rice & Tortillas

Warm leftover rice or prepare instant Mexican rice. Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds so they’re soft and easy to roll.

3. Build the Burrito

Layer everything in this order:

  1. Spoonful of the beef-and-bean mixture
  2. Mexican rice
  3. Fritos
  4. Warm cheese dip
  5. Shredded cheese
  6. Sour cream

4. Fold and Roll

Fold the sides inward, then roll tightly from the bottom up to form a burrito. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

5. Toast (Optional but SO Good)

Place the burritos seam-side down in a skillet for 1–2 minutes per side to crisp the exterior. This step adds amazing texture.

Tips for the Best Burritos

  • Assemble right before eating to keep the chips crunchy.
  • Toast the burrito for a golden, crisp exterior—highly recommended!
  • Freeze extra rice or beans so you can whip up these burritos even faster next time.
  • Freezing: If freezing burritos, leave out the chips so they don’t get soggy.

Serving Suggestions

Make your burrito night extra delicious with:

🌶️ Homemade Salsa

Try a classic restaurant-style salsa or a fun fruity twist.

🥑 Guacamole

Fresh guac with tortilla chips or plantain chips is always a win.

🍉 Fruit & Chamoy

Add fresh fruit with chamoy for a refreshing contrast to the rich burrito.

How to Store & Reheat

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Microwave, warm in a skillet, or bake at 350°F until heated through.
  • Freeze: Wrap each burrito tightly in plastic + foil and freeze for up to 3 months. (Skip the chips if freezing.)

Taco Bell Beefy Melt Burrito (Printable Recipe)

Yield: 4 burritos
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup water or beef broth
  • 1 cup refried beans (optional)
  • 2 cups cooked Mexican rice
  • 4 burrito-sized flour tortillas
  • 2 cups Fritos or Doritos
  • 1 cup warm cheese dip
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Salsa, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the beef in a skillet until browned. Add taco seasoning and water; simmer briefly. Stir in refried beans and adjust consistency with extra water if needed.
  2. Warm the rice and heat tortillas for 30 seconds.
  3. Assemble each burrito with beef mixture, rice, chips, cheese dip, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
  4. Fold the sides inward, roll tightly, and repeat.
  5. Serve as-is or toast in a pan until crisp. Add salsa if desired.