Saucy Wet Burritos

This saucy wet burrito recipe transforms ordinary burritos into a comforting, cheese-covered meal that satisfies even the strongest Mexican food cravings. The combination of seasoned beef and beans wrapped in tortillas then smothered with enchilada sauce creates that restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

I discovered this wet burrito technique during a cooking experiment when regular burritos seemed too plain for guests. Now it's my go-to impressive dish when entertaining friends who always ask for my "special" burrito recipe.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: Creates the hearty base for these burritos. Choose 80/20 lean to fat ratio for the best flavor without excess grease.
• Refried beans: Provide creamy texture and stretch the filling. Look for traditional style for authentic flavor.
• Onion and garlic: Form the aromatic foundation. Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference here.
• Taco seasoning: Simplifies the spice blend. Store bought works perfectly but homemade allows you to control sodium and heat levels.
• Large flour tortillas: Must be fresh and pliable. The burrito size tortillas work best for proper filling capacity.
• Enchilada sauce: Transforms regular burritos into wet burritos. Red sauce is traditional but green works beautifully too.
• Cheddar cheese: Both inside and on top creates the essential melty goodness. Freshly shredded melts more evenly than pre-packaged.
• Fresh toppings: Like tomatoes and cilantro brighten the rich dish. Choose ripe tomatoes for best flavor.

How To Make Saucy Wet Burritos

Prepare The Oven:

Set your oven to 375°F and allow it to preheat completely while you prepare the filling. This temperature creates the perfect environment for melting cheese without drying out the burritos.

Cook The Meat Mixture:

Brown the ground beef with onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until no pink remains approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks for the best texture. Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent greasy burritos.

Create The Filling:

Add refried beans taco seasoning and water to the meat mixture stirring to combine completely. Simmer for about 3 minutes allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Prepare The Tortillas:

Warm tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds between damp paper towels. This critical step prevents cracking when rolling. A flexible tortilla makes all the difference in creating well-formed burritos.

Assemble The Burritos:

Place approximately 1/2 cup of filling slightly off center on each tortilla. Sprinkle with a generous tablespoon of cheese then fold in the sides and roll up tightly starting from the filling side. Proper rolling technique keeps the filling contained during baking.

Sauce And Cheese Application:

Arrange rolled burritos seam side down in a 9x13 baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the burritos ensuring complete coverage. Top with remaining cheese distributing it evenly for that beautiful melted finish.

Baking Process:

Bake uncovered for exactly 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely and the edges begin to bubble slightly. Watch carefully in the final minutes to prevent over browning.

Garnish And Serve:

Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Top each burrito with a dollop of sour cream diced tomatoes and freshly chopped cilantro for brightness and visual appeal.

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My family particularly loves the contrast between the crispy tortilla edges and the saucy center. I discovered accidentally that letting the sauce pool around rather than completely cover the burritos creates those desirable crispy edges that everyone fights over at our table.

Make Ahead Options

These wet burritos are perfect for meal planning. You can assemble the burritos completely up to the baking stage then refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve simply pour on the sauce add cheese and bake adding about 5 extra minutes to the cooking time since they'll be cold from the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop more deeply when made ahead making this a great option for entertaining.

Customization Ideas

The beauty of this wet burrito recipe lies in its versatility. For a vegetarian version replace the ground beef with additional beans plant based crumbles or sautéed vegetables like zucchini bell peppers and corn. Spice lovers can add diced jalapeños to the filling or use a spicy enchilada sauce. For a breakfast twist incorporate scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage in the filling then top with salsa verde instead of enchilada sauce.

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Serving Suggestions

Transform these wet burritos into a complete Mexican feast by serving them alongside Mexican rice and a simple side salad with lime vinaigrette. For an impressive spread set up a toppings bar with guacamole pickled red onions sliced jalapeños various hot sauces and extra cheese allowing everyone to customize their burrito to taste. This interactive approach makes dinner more fun especially when entertaining guests or for family style dinners.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works well as a substitute for beef in this dish. It provides a leaner protein option while still maintaining delicious flavor when seasoned properly.

→ Can the burritos be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the burritos in advance, cover the dish, and refrigerate them. When ready to bake, simply add the sauce and cheese before placing them in the oven.

→ What else can I use as a topping?

Feel free to get creative with toppings! Avocado slices, jalapeño peppers, shredded lettuce, or even a squeeze of lime juice can elevate the flavors further.

→ How do I prevent the tortillas from tearing?

Warming the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds makes them soft and pliable, which helps prevent tearing when rolling them up.

→ Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze baked burritos individually wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. Reheat them in the oven or microwave for a convenient meal later.