Easy Burrito Casserole – Secret Family Recipe

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I’m a bit torn about my decision to post this Burrito Casserole recipe. On the one hand, this is a secret family favorite recipe. But, on the other hand, it’s mouth-wateringly delicious, simple to make, cheap as hell, and is an easy weeknight dinner. So I’ve decided to betray my family by posting this recipe. Revel in my betrayal!

burrito casserole

Maybe the most important note I’ll give you in this recipe is NOT to make your own fresh burritos at home. Instead, fight every urge to make your own burritos using large flour tortillas, baked beans, refried beans, beef, etc.

It just doesn’t taste the same when you try to make your own burritos.


How to Make Frozen Burrito Casserole:

Follow these simple steps to make the most incredible burrito casserole of all time.

burrito casserole ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 8-12 frozen burritos from the grocery store
  • 2, 10 oz cans of Enchilada sauce
  • 1, 10 oz can of sliced or whole black olives
  • 1, 8 oz bag of shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1, 12 oz container of sour cream
  • Avocado slices (optional garnish)

Equipment I Use:

I use a Le Creuset casserole dish because my wife is a fancy chef. You don’t need to use anything this fancy. A glass baking dish will do just fine.


Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2: Place Burritos in Baking Dish

Unwrap the 8 to 12 frozen burritos. The amount of burritos you’ll be able to fit is dependent on what size baking/casserole dish you decide to use.

Burrito Casserole

You might be tempted to place the burritos on their side, facing up, but don’t go this route. The burritos need to lay flat against the bottom of the baking dish to soak up all the enchilada sauce as they bake.

Place the burritos, one by one, into your baking dish, as seen below.

Burrito Casserole

Step 3: Smother With Enchilada Sauce

Open the two cans of enchilada sauce (or one large can) and pour it liberally over your burritos. You can go ham with the enchilada sauce here. If you want to use 3 or even 4 cans, feel free. The goal is to have a creamy burrito casserole rather than a dry one.

Burrito Casserole
Burrito Casserole

Step 4: Sprinkle Cheese on Top

Take one whole bag of shredded Mexican cheese and spread it over the top of the enchilada sauce-soaked burritos until you have a full layer of cheese.

Burrito Casserole

Step 5: Add Black Olives

The black olives are what make this dish for me. The saltiness & brininess is incredible. Take risks with the olives here. You can use green or black olives, sliced or whole, but just make sure they’re pitted. We’ve always used black olives.

Burrito Casserole

Step 6: Top With Sour Cream

Grab your sour cream container and add dollops of sour cream, evenly spread, across the top of the burrito casserole.

Note: If you want to make this a bit fancier, consider creating a spicy, sour cream mixture by mixing sour cream with chili powder or taco seasoning. Use the same container your sour cream is in, and just add the powder of your choice and mix it before dolloping it on the casserole.

Burrito Casserole

Step 7: bake for 30-40 minutes

Place the burrito casserole, uncovered, into the oven and bake for 45 minutes.

Burrito Casserole

Step 8: remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes

You know that feeling you get when you bite into a hot pocket and burn the roof of your mouth? Well, the same goes here. So you need to tread lightly with this burrito casserole and give it some time to cool down.

burrito casserole

Once it’s cooled down, using a spatula, portion out….your portion.

While some members of my family try to grab individual burritos, I just cut a square pattern. This is a casserole, after all. My favorite thing about this recipe is how all the flavors compliment each other. It’s an explosion of flavor in your mouth.


Frequently Asked Questions:

How Can I Make This More Healthy?

I get it. You care about living a long, fruitful life! With that in mind, consider these alternatives:

  • Swap out beef and bean burritos for vegetarian options
  • If you decide to add refried beans, use the fat-free kind.
  • Add black beans to provide more dietary fiber
  • Add vegetables such as avocado, corn, tomato, etc.
  • Add low-fat shredded cheese (or skip the cheese altogether)

For a full list of nutrition facts, see the recipe above.

What Should I Serve With It?

I always have some tortilla chips on hand to help pick up the leftovers that fell off my fork.

Should I Make My Own Burritos?

You can, but the recipe won’t taste the way the good Lord intended. But it will definitely taste healthier and more homemade.

What Flavor Burritos Should I Use?

Using a variety of different flavored burritos will make the casserole even more exciting. I prefer burritos with some kind of beef mixture. While I normally choose beef and bean burritos, I’d suggest choosing from the following:

  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Red Hot Beef Burritos
  • Bean & Cheese Burritos
  • Beef & Been/Green Chile Burritos

Can I Add Additional Ingredients?

Yes! Upon penalty of death, the only rule you must follow is to use frozen burritos from the grocery store.

Consider using these additional ingredients (as layers) in the casserole:

  • Black beans
  • Refried beans
  • Chili powder (sprinkled in between layers)
  • Green chilies
  • Finely diced chicken breast (pre-cooked)
  • Olive oil (sprinkled as a garnish)
  • Green onions (diced and as a garnish)

Add a layer of refried beans on the bottom before placing your burritos for added flavor. You can also sprinkle some taco seasoning on the top of the casserole once you’ve added your sour cream dollops.

Sprinkle some black beans on top of the enchilada sauce before adding the cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese mix.

Liberally soak the top of the casserole with hot sauce if you want an extra kick!

How Do I Store It?

Once the burrito casserole has cooled off and you’ve had your fill, please place it in the refrigerator. You can freeze it in freezer-safe bags or a container with a freezer-safe lid if you want to freeze it.

Can I Eat This for Breakfast?

There is no judgment here. Burrito casserole is meant to be enjoyed at all times of the day. So yes, add it to your list of breakfast casseroles!

This beef burrito casserole recipe is one of my favorite things of all time. And while I wouldn’t consider it true Mexican food, it is truly delicious.


Complete Burrito Casserole Recipe:

burrito casserole

Easy Burrito Casserole Recipe

This easy burrito casserole recipe is mouth-wateringly delicious, simple to make, cheap as hell, and is an easy weeknight dinner. This is a burrito casserole with frozen burritos, as opposed to fresh ingredients (which makes it all the better). It's also the best burrito casserole with enchilada sauce you'll ever eat. Enjoy!
4.06 from 17 votes
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Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 45 mins
Yield: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven for 375 degrees F.
  • Unwrap the 8 to 12 frozen burritos. The amount of burritos you’ll be able to fit is dependent on what size baking/casserole dish you decide to use.
  • Open the two cans of enchilada sauce (or one large can) and pour it liberally over your burritos.
  • Take one whole bag of shredded Mexican cheese and spread it over the top of the enchilada sauce-soaked burritos until you have a full layer of cheese.
  • Empty the juice from 1, 10 oz can of sliced or whole black olives and then drop the olives onto the casserole.
  • Add dollops of sour cream, evenly spread, across the top of the burrito casserole.
  • Place the burrito casserole, uncovered, into the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  • You need to tread lightly with this burrito casserole and give it some time to cool down.

Your Own Notes

Video

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1burrito, Calories: 260kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 510mg, Fiber: 4g, Vitamin A: 100IU, Vitamin C: 1.2mg, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 2.7mg

The Golden Lamb provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietician.

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Avatar of Kelsey Todd
Kelsey may not know everything about coffee, but after two decades as a barista in Seattle and Santa Barbara, he knows a thing or two. When he's not obsessing over the perfect cup, you can find him hanging out with his wife and daughter or sharing his java gems on this here blog.

5 thoughts on “Easy Burrito Casserole – Secret Family Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    We make something similar to this but use a couple cans of hormel chili.. ( With or without beans). Will have to try with the Enchilada sauce. 😋

    Reply

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