Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef bring together melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, spiced ground beef, and gooey cheddar cheese—all stuffed inside a warm tortilla for the ultimate comfort food experience. This crowd-pleasing burrito combines bold flavors and hearty textures, making it a must for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. Whether you’re feeding hungry teens, prepping something easy for a potluck, or simply treating yourself, you’ll love how every bite delivers creamy, cheesy goodness and just the right touch of spice.
Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple ingredient lineup proves you can create something extraordinary from everyday staples. Each piece pulls its weight, lending a pop of flavor, crunch, creaminess, or color to make your Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef completely unforgettable.
- Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 for a juicy, flavorful filling that holds together perfectly.
- Diced Potatoes (peeled): Russet or Yukon Gold are best for their fluffy texture and how well they soak up flavors.
- Olive Oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps crisp up those potatoes.
- Small Onion (chopped): Sweet and mellow once cooked, it gives depth to the beef mixture.
- Chili Powder: Brings a warm, earthy heat—go mild or bold based on your spice preference.
- Cumin: Adds a hint of smokiness and that classic Tex-Mex flair.
- Smoked Paprika: Essential for subtle smokiness and vibrant color.
- Garlic Powder: An easy boost of aromatic flavor without peeling or chopping garlic.
- Salt: Pulls all the flavors together for perfect seasoning in every bite.
- Black Pepper: Adds just a gentle hint of heat and complexity.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Go for sharp cheddar if you love extra cheesy bite—mild works for a creamier finish!
- Sour Cream: Creamy, tangy, and cool; this balances the heat and brings everything together inside the burrito.
- Large Flour Tortillas: The wonderful wrapping that holds it all—make sure they’re soft and pliable for easy rolling.
- Optional Toppings (salsa, hot sauce, chopped cilantro, green onions): These add fresh color, spicy zip, and a little crunch to elevate your burrito.
How to Make Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef
Step 1: Sauté the Potatoes
Start by heating up your olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dice your peeled potatoes into small cubes so they cook quickly and evenly. Once the skillet is hot, toss in those potatoes and stir every few minutes until they’re golden on the outside and fork-tender. This process usually takes about 10 to 12 minutes, and it’s worth every minute—crispy edges give each bite that crave-worthy texture.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef and Onion
After the potatoes are cooked to perfection, scoop them out and set them aside. In the same skillet (no need to dirty another!), add your ground beef and chopped onion. Let this mixture cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the meat as you go. The beef should be brown and the onion soft and translucent, which means all those savory flavors are developing right in the pan. Don’t forget to drain off any extra fat for a lighter, less greasy filling.
Step 3: Season and Combine
Now for the flavor bomb! Add your cooked potatoes right back to the beef and onion mixture. Sprinkle over chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for another 2 to 3 minutes—this gives the spices time to bloom and the flavors to become one delicious, cohesive filling.
Step 4: Stir in the Cheese
Remove the skillet from the heat and scatter your shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Stir until it melts into all those beefy, potato-filled nooks and crannies, making the mixture creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible. This is the heart and soul of Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef!
Step 5: Assemble the Burritos
Before you fill the tortillas, give them a quick warm-up in a dry pan or the microwave so they’re pliable and won’t tear as you roll. Spoon the hot, cheesy potato and beef filling down the center of each tortilla. Add a generous dollop of sour cream, then tuck in the ends and roll up each burrito snugly. This step turns your skillet magic into an easy-to-eat, hand-held meal.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef while they’re warm and gooey. Pile them on a platter and offer up your favorite optional toppings—salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, or green onions—so everyone can customize their burrito and dig in!
How to Serve Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef
Garnishes
Transform your burritos from weekday staples to fiesta-worthy favorites with a handful of bold garnishes. Think tangy salsa spooned over the top, a drizzle of your go-to hot sauce for an extra kick, or a shower of chopped cilantro and green onions for a pop of color and fresh finish. These final touches not only bring out the flavors but make your Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef irresistibly inviting.
Side Dishes
Pairing is half the fun! Serve your burritos with a side of zesty Mexican rice, citrusy black beans, or a crunchy slaw to cut through the richness. Even a simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette provides a refreshing balance to the gooey, cheesy filling inside these burritos. Don’t forget tortilla chips for scooping up anything that spills out!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling extra festive, slice your burritos in halves or thirds and stand them upright on a platter for a party appetizer. You can also top rolled burritos with more cheese and broil until bubbly for a casserole-style presentation. For a fun, interactive dinner, set up a burrito bar so everyone can build their own Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef with custom toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days—perfect for a grab-and-go lunch or easy dinner later in the week. Always cool completely before storing to keep the tortillas from getting soggy.
Freezing
Want to meal-prep or stock the freezer for busy days? Assemble the burritos (skip fresh garnishes and sour cream until serving), wrap each one tightly in foil, and freeze. They hold up well for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, remove from the freezer, unwrap, and reheat—convenience never tasted so good!
Reheating
For best results, reheat Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes (wrap in foil to prevent drying out). In a pinch, pop them in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, but covering with a damp paper towel helps keep the tortilla soft. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge or add a few extra minutes to the oven time.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken swaps in seamlessly for beef if you want a lighter or lower-fat option. Just be sure to season a bit more generously, as leaner meats can be milder in flavor, but everything else stays the same.
Are there any shortcuts for the potato filling?
You bet! For extra convenience, you can use frozen tater tots or hash browns in place of the diced potatoes. Simply crisp them up in the skillet as directed and continue with the recipe—nobody will ever guess you took a shortcut.
How do I keep the burritos from getting soggy?
The key is to let the filling cool for a minute or two before rolling up the burritos, and avoid overloading them with sour cream inside. Keeping your tortillas slightly warm and rolling them tightly also helps prevent leaks and soggy spots.
Can I make Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef ahead for a party?
Yes! You can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat the filling, assemble with tortillas and toppings, and you’ve got party-ready burritos in no time.
Are these burritos kid-friendly?
Kids love the cheesy potato and beef combo! If you’re worried about spice, simply reduce the chili powder or serve hot sauce on the side for the adults. You can even let kids add their own toppings at the table for fun and customization.
Final Thoughts
If you love meals that combine comfort and crowd-pleasing flavors, you’ll be absolutely smitten with Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef. This is one of those recipes that becomes a regular in your dinnertime rotation—easy, satisfying, and always leaving folks coming back for more. Dive in, get creative with your toppings, and watch these burritos disappear faster than you can say “cheesy goodness”!
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Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 burritos 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Potato Burritos with Beef are a delicious and satisfying meal that combines seasoned ground beef, tender diced potatoes, and gooey cheddar cheese, all wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla. Perfect for a quick and comforting dinner!
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups diced potatoes (peeled)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: salsa, hot sauce, chopped cilantro, green onions
Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: In a skillet over medium heat, cook diced potatoes in olive oil until golden and fork-tender. Set aside.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In the same skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Add cooked potatoes back into the skillet with seasonings and cook to combine.
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Assemble: Warm tortillas, spoon beef and potato mixture onto each, add a dollop of sour cream, and roll into burritos.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with optional toppings.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, broil the wrapped burritos with additional cheese for 2–3 minutes.
- You can use tater tots or hash browns as a shortcut for the potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg