Burrito Casserole – All the flavors of a burrito in a quick and easy casserole the whole family can make. There are many ways to mix it up, prepare it, or even freeze it!
We all know by now that I love Mexican recipes and Tex-Mex food. This Wet Burrito is one of the most popular recipes on my site, so I took a few elements of the classic burrito and turned it into a quick and easy casserole you’ll love!

Burrito Casserole
A casserole actually means that everything is mixed or layered in a pan. It can be an old-fashioned Tater Tot casserole, a side dish like a cheese and potato casserole, or something like this fun Mexican twist with a burrito casserole.
You can really use whatever you want to fill a burrito, and the same goes for this casserole. So if you want to vary the beans, the meat, the cheese, add some more…then go for it! I have a few variations in a section below, but feel free to make it your own.
Why you will love this recipe
- Very easy to do! Aside from browning the ground beef, you spend a minute or two putting it together and then it just gets baked. So hands off!
- Great for a crowd. You can make an 8″ square pan as directed in the recipe, or you can double it to make a 13″×9″ pan if you want to feed more people!
- It warms up very well! So you can use it for weekend meal prep, or prep it to just throw in the oven for a busy weeknight.
what you will need
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for measurements and full instructions!
- ground beef – I use lean ground beef, but ground turkey works great too.
- Onion
- taco seasoning – You can use a store bought packet or homemade taco seasoning
- Black beans – Drain and rinse your beans
- Diced tomatoes with green chillies – Depending on the degree of spiciness, you can buy mild, medium or hot Rotel tomatoes for this recipe
- sour cream
- Grated cheese
- flour tortillas – I used the 8 inch flour tortillas since they filled my 8 inch baking pan perfectly. If you have other sizes you may need to trim them down to fit.
How to make a burrito casserole
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onions together, sautéing until the beef is tender and the onions are soft, 5-6 minutes. Drain off any fat.
- Add taco seasoning, water, and black beans. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Prepare the sauce by mixing diced tomatoes with the sour cream.
- Spray an 8-inch skillet with nonstick spray. Place a flour tortilla on the bottom. Add 1/2 of the ground beef mixture, 1/2 of the sauce mixture, and about 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients, ending with a cheese topped tortilla.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes until nice and hot.
- Remove from the oven and top with your desired toppings.
Recipe tips and variations
- If you’re not a fan of black beans, give it a try! Pinto beans or refried beans are great substitutes. Or if you don’t like beans at all, you can omit them or use corn. Or just add corn if you like both.
- Toppings are a way to brighten the flavor and give it a fresh twist. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, cilantro, jalapenos, hot sauce, avocado, etc.
- I used ground beef in this recipe, but basically any protein will do. You can use ground turkey or even diced chicken breasts.
- Traditionally, burritos are made with flour tortillas, so this is just the ticket. You can use corn tortillas if you like, the taste will just be slightly different. When I use corn tortillas, my favorite way to make them is this beef enchilada casserole.
- You can also make this casserole in a pie plate or springform pan if the rim is high enough. A tortilla fits perfectly in the middle.
- Be sure to spray the bottom of the pan before adding the tortillas. This really helps ensure you can spoon out the casserole and not leave a layer on the bottom.
- If you like it spicy, add diced jalapenos as the meat cooks. Or use the spicy variety Rotel tomatoes.
What to serve with the burrito casserole
You often see rice in a burrito, but I prefer to serve it as a side dish. You can definitely layer it in the casserole too if you like! Cilantro Lime Rice or Spanish Rice are both great options.
storage
Because there’s no enchilada sauce for the tortillas to properly soak up, it’s great for making ahead of time and saving for leftovers.
Refrigerate – Keep this dish covered in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the oven or individual slices in the microwave.
freezer – This is a great casserole that you can make ahead and store in the freezer. Cover tightly with foil and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then follow recipe directions. You may need to add an additional 10 minutes to the bake to ensure it is fully hot.
preparation time
5 minutes
cooking time
45 minutes
total time
50 minutes
Ingredients
-
3 (8 inch) flour tortillas
-
1 pound lean ground beef
-
1/2 onion, finely chopped
-
1 packet of taco seasoning
-
1/2 cup water
-
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
-
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
-
1/2 cup sour cream
-
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese mix
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onions together, sautéing until the beef is tender and the onions are soft, 5-6 minutes. Drain off any fat.
- Add taco seasoning, water, and black beans. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Prepare the sauce by mixing diced tomatoes with the sour cream.
- Spray an 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Place a flour tortilla on the bottom. Add 1/2 of the ground beef mixture, 1/2 of the sauce mixture, and about 1/3 of the cheese.
- Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients, ending with a cheese topped tortilla.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes until nice and hot.
- Remove from the oven and top with your desired toppings.
Nutritional Information
yield
6
serving size
1
amount per serving
calories 439total fat 24gSaturated Fatty Acids 12gtrans fats 0gunsaturated fat 9gcholesterol 114 mgsodium 849 mgcarbohydrates 19gfiber 3gSugar 2gprotein 35g
Nutritional Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on Dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should be used as a general guide only.
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