Saucy Wet Burritos Delight

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Dive into these saucy wet burritos packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, rice, and melted cheese, all wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in a delicious enchilada sauce. Perfectly baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection, they’re finished with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeños. These burritos are satisfying, comforting, and incredibly easy to customize for any taste preference.

Ranah
Updated on Sun, 18 May 2025 19:35:11 GMT
A plate of food with a burrito and a salad. Pin it
A plate of food with a burrito and a salad. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

This saucy wet burrito recipe transforms ordinary burritos into a fork-and-knife dinner experience that will transport you straight to your favorite Mexican restaurant. The combination of seasoned filling wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in rich enchilada sauce creates a comforting meal that always satisfies even the pickiest eaters in my household.

I first made these wet burritos when trying to recreate my husband's favorite dish from our local Mexican restaurant. After several attempts at perfecting the sauce, these have become our Friday night tradition when we want something special but don't want to leave the house.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: Provides the hearty base for these burritos. Look for 80/20 lean to fat ratio for the best flavor without excessive grease
  • Onion and garlic: Create an aromatic foundation. Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference here
  • Cumin, chili powder, and paprika: Bring authentic Mexican flavors. Toast these spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance their flavor
  • Refried beans: Add creaminess and help bind the filling together. Choose traditional or vegetarian varieties
  • Flour tortillas: Must be burrito size for proper wrapping. Warm them briefly before filling to prevent cracking
  • Enchilada sauce: Forms the base of that signature red sauce. You can use mild, medium, or hot depending on your spice preference
  • Cheese: Acts as both filling and topping. Freshly shredded melts much better than pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add finely chopped onions and cook for a full 4 minutes until they become translucent and just start to turn golden at the edges. This builds the flavor foundation for everything that follows.
Brown the Protein:
Add minced garlic and stir continuously for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Immediately add ground beef, breaking it into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes before stirring to develop brown crispy edges on the meat.
Season the Filling:
Once meat is fully browned, drain excess fat if necessary. Return to heat and add cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat evenly, allowing the spices to toast slightly which blooms their flavors. If using beans and rice, fold them in gently and heat through.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a separate saucepan, combine enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the sauce thicken slightly.
Assemble the Burritos:
Lay a warm tortilla flat and spoon approximately 3/4 cup of filling in a line across the lower third. Add a generous sprinkle of cheese. Fold in both sides, then roll from the bottom up, tucking in the sides as you go to create a secure package.
Bake to Perfection:
Arrange burritos seam side down in a baking dish. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over each burrito, ensuring they're completely covered. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and bake in a preheated oven until the cheese is completely melted and the edges of the sauce are bubbling.
A plate of food with a burrito and a salad. Pin it
A plate of food with a burrito and a salad. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

The enchilada sauce is truly the star of this recipe. I discovered through much trial and error that adding tomato sauce and additional spices to canned enchilada sauce creates that perfect restaurant-style flavor that clings to the burritos rather than just running off. My kids now request this sauce for everything from eggs to pasta.

Make Ahead Options

These wet burritos are perfect for meal planning. You can prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage then refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time since you're starting with cold burritos. The flavors actually develop overnight, making this a great option for entertaining.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these saucy burritos with a simple side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A scoop of Mexican rice and some fresh guacamole round out the plate for a complete restaurant-style experience. For beverages, traditional horchata or a crisp Mexican lager complements the flavors beautifully without overwhelming the meal.

Freezer Instructions

These burritos freeze exceptionally well both before and after baking. For make-ahead freezer meals, assemble the burritos but freeze them without the sauce. Wrap individually in foil then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, prepare the sauce fresh, and continue with the baking instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different protein for the filling?

Absolutely! You can substitute the ground beef with shredded chicken, turkey, or even sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian option.

→ Can I make the sauce spicier?

Yes, add diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for extra heat.

→ How do I prevent the burritos from becoming soggy?

Ensure the filling isn’t too wet by draining any excess liquid from the meat and using a modest amount of sauce when assembling.

→ Can I freeze these burritos?

Yes! Wrap the assembled burritos (without the sauce) tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then freeze. Bake from frozen and add sauce during the last 15–20 minutes.

→ What toppings work best with these burritos?

Top the burritos with sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, or extra shredded cheese for extra flavor.

Saucy Wet Burritos

Hearty burritos smothered in rich enchilada sauce, packed with flavorful fillings and melted cheese.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Ranah

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 4 Servings (4 burritos)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Filling

01 1 lb ground beef (or shredded chicken, or beans for a vegetarian version)
02 1 tbsp olive oil
03 1/2 onion, finely chopped
04 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 1 tsp ground cumin
06 1 tsp chili powder
07 1/2 tsp paprika
08 Salt and black pepper to taste
09 1 can (15 oz) refried beans or black beans (optional)
10 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
11 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
12 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size)

→ Sauce

13 1 can (15 oz) red enchilada sauce
14 1/2 cup tomato sauce
15 1/2 tsp garlic powder
16 1/2 tsp onion powder
17 1/2 tsp cumin
18 Salt to taste

→ Toppings (optional)

19 Extra shredded cheese
20 Sour cream
21 Chopped green onions
22 Fresh cilantro
23 Diced tomatoes or jalapeños

Instructions

Step 01

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add ground beef (or chicken/beans) and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add beans and rice if using, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.

Step 02

In a saucepan, combine enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, and spices. Simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 03

Lay out a tortilla and spoon filling across the center. Add a handful of shredded cheese. Roll into a burrito (fold in the sides, then roll up). Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Step 04

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place burritos seam-side down in a baking dish. Pour sauce generously over the burritos. Sprinkle extra cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.

Step 05

Top with sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, or your favorite toppings.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Baking dish
  • Oven

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, optional toppings like sour cream)
  • Contains gluten (flour tortillas)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein: 25 g