Description
This Taco Bell Enchirito copycat recipe recreates the classic Tex-Mex favorite with seasoned ground beef, rich refried beans, a flavorful enchilada-style sauce, and melted cheddar cheese, all wrapped in soft tortillas and baked to perfection. A nostalgic and satisfying dish perfect for Taco Bell fans craving homemade comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Filling:
- 1⅓ pounds ground chuck
- 1½ tablespoons masa harina
- 4½ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon beef bouillon powder
- ¾ to 1 cup water
For the Sauce:
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- 1½ teaspoons minced onion
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For Assembly:
- 4 tortillas, warmed
- 1 cup refried beans, heated
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped white onions
- Sliced black olives, optional
Instructions
- Make the Taco Bell-Style Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine all beef seasoning ingredients—masa harina, chili powder, onion and garlic powders, salts, cumin, paprika, sugar, minced onion, and bouillon. Set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Brown the ground chuck in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain any excess fat.
- Season and Simmer: Return the meat to the skillet, stir in the prepared seasoning mix and ¾ to 1 cup of water. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 20 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally and ensuring it does not dry out completely.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer over low heat. Let cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Assemble the Enchiritos: Warm the tortillas until soft and pliable. Spread ¼ cup of refried beans down the center of each tortilla, top with ¼ of the seasoned beef, then roll tightly. Place rolled tortillas seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Top and Bake: Spoon the enchilada sauce generously over the rolled tortillas. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped white onions, and black olives if using. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Use masa harina in the beef seasoning to give the authentic Taco Bell texture and flavor.
- Make sure not to dry out the beef mixture while simmering; it should be moist enough to stay flavorful.
- Warming the tortillas before assembly prevents cracking when rolling.
- Black olives are optional but add a nice touch of flavor and texture.
- For spicier sauce, increase cayenne pepper to taste.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve more people.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keywords: Taco Bell, Enchirito, Copycat recipe, Tex-Mex, ground beef, enchilada sauce, refried beans, baked tortilla dish
