If you’ve ever driven through Taco Bell late at night (or… any time during the day) and grabbed their Beef Melt Burrito, you know exactly why it has a dedicated fan base. The creamy nacho cheese, the perfectly seasoned beef, the warm flour tortilla, and the comforting rice blend together into one of the most craveable fast-food burritos ever created.

But here’s the good news: you can make a homemade version that tastes just as good — and in many cases, even better. This copycat Taco Bell Beef Melt Burrito captures all the nostalgic flavors while using real ingredients, melty cheeses, and fresh-seasoned beef. The best part? It’s incredibly simple and ready in minutes.

This recipe sticks closely to the iconic Taco Bell formula: savory ground beef, creamy nacho cheese sauce, cheese blend, warm rice, and Taco Bell–style seasoning all wrapped in a soft tortilla. It’s melty, cheesy, hearty, and totally satisfying.

With this complete guide, you’ll recreate the signature flavors, textures, and secret elements that make the Beef Melt Burrito unforgettable — right in your own kitchen.

Why This Copycat Recipe Works

1. Authentic Taco Bell–style beef

The star of the burrito is the seasoned beef. This recipe follows Taco Bell’s method:

• Finely crumbled beef
• Seasoning simmered into the meat
• A little water to create the signature saucy texture
• Mild spices and aromatics for that unmistakable flavor

2. Creamy nacho cheese layer

The warm cheese sauce is key. It creates that melty, smooth consistency that Taco Bell burritos are known for.

3. Warm rice for heartiness

A lightly seasoned rice layer adds substance and balances the spices.

4. Two cheeses instead of one

Shredded cheese + nacho cheese = gooey, stretchy, perfect burrito melt.

5. True fast-food style assembly

Ingredients are layered and wrapped just like the restaurant, ensuring every bite is balanced.

Ingredients

For Taco Bell–Style Beef

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (mimics the signature Taco Bell beef base)
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Rice

• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For Assembly

• 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
• 1/2 cup nacho cheese sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Taco Bell–style 3-cheese)
• Optional add-ins: sour cream, tortilla strips, pico de gallo, lettuce

Instructions

1. Cook the beef.
   Brown the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it up into very small crumbles.
2. Add seasonings.
   Stir in taco seasoning, tomato paste, water, onion powder, garlic powder, and sugar.
3. Simmer.
   Cook until thickened and saucy—about 3–5 minutes.
4. Prepare the rice.
   Stir taco seasoning, melted butter, and garlic powder into the warm cooked rice.
5. Warm the tortillas.
   Heat in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and flexible.
6. Assemble the burritos.
   Lay out each tortilla and add:
   • A scoop of seasoned rice
   • A generous spoonful of beef
   • A drizzle of nacho cheese sauce
   • A handful of shredded cheese
7. Roll tightly.
   Fold in sides and roll into a burrito.
8. Melt and seal.
   Place burritos seam-side down in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes to seal and melt the cheese.
9. Serve warm.
   Slice in half or enjoy whole — just like Taco Bell.

Copycat Taco Bell Beef Melt Burrito

A homemade version of Taco Bell’s Beef Melt Burrito with seasoned beef, melty cheese, creamy nacho sauce, and warm rice all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 burritos

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

Beef Filling

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder

Rice Layer

• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder

Assembly

• 4 large flour tortillas burrito size
• 0.5 cup nacho cheese sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese blend

Equipment

• Skillet
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking into small crumbles.
2. Add taco seasoning, tomato paste, water, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder.
3. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thick and saucy.
4. Mix warm cooked rice with melted butter, taco seasoning, and garlic powder.
5. Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
6. Layer rice, beef, nacho cheese sauce, and shredded cheese on each tortilla.
7. Roll tightly into a burrito.
8. Toast seam-side down in skillet 1–2 minutes to seal and melt.
9. Serve warm.

Notes

Add crunchy tortilla strips for true Taco Bell texture. Customize spice level by using hot taco seasoning.

Tips for the Perfect Copycat Burrito

Use smaller crumbles of beef

Finely broken meat is key to replicating that Taco Bell texture.

Don’t skip the water simmer

This step incorporates the seasoning and softens the beef.

Warm tortillas correctly

A cold tortilla will crack — a warm one folds perfectly.

Customize the melt level

Add extra shredded cheese before sealing for maximum meltiness.

Want TRUE Taco Bell authenticity?

Add a small sprinkle of crunchy tortilla strips inside — many fans swear by them.

Variations

Creamy Beef Melt Burrito

Add sour cream or Taco Bell-style “creamy chipotle sauce.”

Loaded Beef Melt Burrito

Add potatoes, beans, or fiesta rice.

Spicy Beef Melt Burrito

Use spicy nacho cheese or mix in chipotle peppers.

“Grilled” Style

Toast both sides in the skillet until lightly crispy.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with chips & queso
• Add a simple salad
• Pair with hot sauce (Taco Bell Fire, Diablo, or Verde)
• Make a full Taco Bell–inspired dinner with Mexican pizzas or crunchwraps

Storage & Reheating

Fridge:

3 days, tightly wrapped.

Freezer:

Yes — freeze un-toasted burritos tightly wrapped in foil.

Reheat:

Microwave 1–2 minutes or toast in a skillet to crisp.