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This Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito is cheesy, messy, and everything we loved about the drive-thru favorite, made right at home with simple ingredients.

There are certain fast-food items that just stick with you, and the Taco Bell Quesarito is one of those for me. It was cheesy, messy, and completely over the top in the best way. Not something you ordered every time, but when you did, it felt like a treat. The kind of food you knew you’d probably regret later… but ordered anyway (I mean isn’t that how all Taco Bell is lol)

Once Taco Bell took it off the menu, I didn’t think about it much at first. But then one night, Dean mentioned how much he missed it, and that was all it took. If you have kids, you know how that goes. One comment turns into a full-blown craving, and suddenly you’re debating whether it’s worth loading everyone into the car just to hit the drive-thru. Most nights, the answer is no.

That’s one of the things I love most about making copycat recipes at home. When you’ve got kids, sometimes the biggest hurdle isn’t cooking, it’s the logistics. Shoes, coats, car seats, everyone needing something different, and suddenly a “quick drive-thru run” doesn’t feel quick at all. Being able to recreate something like this Quesarito at home means skipping all of that and still making everyone happy.

This copycat Quesarito has become one of those fun dinners that instantly gets everyone excited. Dean loves them because they’re cheesy and filling, and I love them because they’re actually really easy to make once you get the hang of it. No deep frying, no fancy tools, just a skillet and a few ingredients you can grab at the grocery store.

It’s messy, indulgent, and definitely not pretending to be anything else, but that’s kind of the point. It’s comfort food, fast-food-style, made at home. And on nights when everyone’s hungry and you don’t feel like dealing with a drive-thru line full of tired kids, this recipe really is a lifesaver.

Plus next time they decide to bring it back and then take it away again (like Taco Bell always does!) you will already know how to make them right in your own kitchen!

What Is a Quesarito

A Quesarito is a Taco Bell creation that combines a quesadilla and a burrito into one giant wrap. A large flour tortilla is layered with melted cheese and sealed with a second tortilla to form a quesadilla “shell.” That cheesy shell is then filled with seasoned beef, rice, nacho cheese, sour cream, and chipotle sauce before being rolled up like a burrito.

It’s cheesy, saucy, and intentionally overstuffed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes just like the Taco Bell classic

• Made with easy grocery store ingredients

• Super fun to assemble

• Perfect for fast-food-at-home nights

• Customizable for different proteins and sauces

When to Serve This Recipe

• Weeknight dinners when you want something fun

• Game nights or casual hangouts

• Teen-approved dinners

• Late-night comfort food cravings

Ingredients 

For the seasoned beef

• 1 pound ground beef
  Lean ground beef works best so it’s not greasy.

• 1 packet taco seasoning
  Store-bought or homemade both work.

• ½ cup water
  Helps the seasoning coat the beef evenly.

For assembly

• 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
  You’ll use two tortillas per quesarito.

• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  Freshly shredded melts best.

• 1 cup cooked seasoned rice
  Spanish rice or cilantro lime rice both work great.

• ½ cup nacho cheese sauce or warm queso
  Adds that classic Taco Bell flavor.

• ½ cup sour cream

• ¼ cup creamy chipotle sauce
  Bottled taco sauce or chipotle mayo both work well.

How to Make a Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.

2. Add the taco seasoning and water to the beef. Stir well and let simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place one flour tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle a generous handful of shredded cheese over the top.

4. Place a second tortilla directly on top of the cheese. Let it cook until the cheese melts and the tortillas stick together, then flip carefully and warm the other side.

5. Remove the cheesy tortilla “shell” from the skillet and place it on a flat surface.

6. Down the center of the quesadilla shell, add a line of cooked rice, seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and chipotle sauce.

7. Fold in the sides and roll tightly into a burrito.

8. Place the quesarito seam-side down in a dry skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes per side to seal and lightly toast.

9. Slice in half and serve warm.

Substitutions

• Ground beef → seasoned shredded chicken or ground turkey, you can even use steak or black beans.

• Flour tortillas → low-carb or gluten-free tortillas

• Nacho cheese sauce → homemade queso or shredded cheese

• Chipotle sauce → chipotle mayo or spicy ranch

Variations

• Chicken Quesarito: Use seasoned shredded chicken instead of beef

• Bean-Loaded: Add black beans or refried beans

• Extra Spicy: Add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce

• Cheesy Overload: Add extra cheese inside the burrito

• Drizzled Style: Drizzle chipotle sauce over the top before serving

Tips & Tricks

• Warm tortillas are much easier to roll without tearing

• Don’t overfill or the burrito will split

• Freshly shredded cheese melts better than bagged

• Toasting after rolling makes it taste like takeout

• Use a wide spatula when flipping the quesadilla shell

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
They’re best fresh, but you can prep the beef and rice ahead of time to make assembly quicker.

Do these reheat well?
Yes, but they’re best reheated in a skillet so the outside stays crispy.

Can I make these for kids?
Absolutely. Just skip or reduce the chipotle sauce for a milder version.

What’s the closest sauce to Taco Bell’s chipotle sauce?
Chipotle mayo or creamy chipotle taco sauce is the closest match.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with tortilla chips and salsa

• Pair with Mexican street corn

• Add a simple side salad

• Serve with extra chipotle sauce for dipping

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

• These are best eaten fresh while the cheese is melty

• If needed, wrap tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days

• Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to crisp the outside

• Avoid microwaving if possible, it softens the tortilla

Continue to Content

Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

The Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito is that legendary cheesy, saucy, messy, drive-thru favorite: it’s basically a cheesy quesadilla wrapped around a beefy burrito with rice, chipotle sauce, and sour cream. It’s super fun for fast food at home nights. This version is easy to make on the stove with grocery store ingredients.

Print

Ingredients

• For the seasoned beef:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
• ½ cup water
• For assembly:
• 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 cup cooked seasoned rice (Spanish rice or cilantro lime rice works)
• ½ cup nacho cheese sauce or warm queso
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup creamy chipotle sauce (bottled taco sauce or chipotle mayo works)

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain grease, add taco seasoning and water, and simmer until thick.
2. Warm a tortilla in a skillet over medium heat and sprinkle with a generous handful of shredded cheese. Top with a second tortilla and let it melt together into a cheesy quesadilla “shell.”
3. Lay the quesadilla flat and add a line of seasoned rice, taco meat, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and chipotle sauce.
4. Roll it up tightly like a burrito, folding in the sides.
5. Place it seam-side down in a dry skillet for 1–2 minutes to seal and lightly toast.
6. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

• Warm tortillas are easier to roll without tearing.
• Don’t overfill, it’ll just explode when you try to fold.
• Toasting after rolling makes it taste just like takeout.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1300Total Fat: 73gSaturated Fat: 36gUnsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 253mgSodium: 1428mgCarbohydrates: 80gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 74g

Looking for more bold, cheesy, fast-food copycat dinners your whole family will love? These reader-favorite recipes deliver the same crave-worthy flavors, easy prep, and comfort food satisfaction as your homemade Quesarito.

• Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme – Layered with seasoned beef, melted cheese, crunchy tostada shells, and fresh toppings, this homemade Crunchwrap gives you all the drive-thru flavor with even better texture and freshness.

• Copycat Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burritos – Stuffed with beef, Mexican rice, nacho cheese, chipotle sauce, and sour cream, then pan-seared with a golden cheesy crust, these burritos are indulgent, filling, and perfect for Taco Night.

• Copycat Meximelts – A longtime fan favorite made at home with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh pico de gallo wrapped in warm tortillas for a simple but seriously addictive dinner.

• Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza – Crispy layered shells stacked with seasoned beef, refried beans, melted cheese, and bold taco flavors make this nostalgic classic a fun twist on homemade Tex-Mex night.

• Air Fryer Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes – Crispy seasoned potatoes topped with warm nacho cheese and sour cream create the ultimate cheesy side dish that pairs perfectly with burritos, tacos, and wraps.

• Copycat Taco Bell Chalupas – Puffy, crispy shells filled with seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, and creamy sauces deliver that classic Taco Bell crunch and softness combo everyone loves.

This Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito is everything the original was meant to be: cheesy, indulgent, and just plain fun to eat. It’s the kind of recipe that brings a little nostalgia to the table and makes dinner feel exciting again. If you miss this drive-thru favorite, this homemade version absolutely delivers.