Quick & Creamy Refried Bean & Cheese Burritos

Recipe by Peter G

Published September 05, 2025

Craving comfort food that's both satisfying and ridiculously easy to make? These Refried Bean and Cheese Burritos are your answer! Perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner, a hearty lunch, or a customizable snack, they deliver a punch of savory flavor and gooey melted cheese in every bite. Simple ingredients come together for a truly delicious, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

8 large (10-inch) flour tortillas

2 cans (15 ounces each) refried beans (or 3 cups homemade, warmed)

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Mexican blend cheese

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (if warming canned beans, or for frying burritos)

Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Optional: Salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for serving

Instructions

If using canned refried beans, empty them into a medium saucepan. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or vegetable oil and heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through and smooth, about 5-7 minutes. If using homemade beans, ensure they are warm.

Warm the flour tortillas to make them pliable. You can do this by heating them one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat for 15-20 seconds per side, microwaving them in a stack wrapped in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds, or wrapping them in foil and heating in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes.

Lay a warmed tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the warm refried beans down the center, leaving space at the edges. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over the beans.

To roll the burrito: Fold in the left and right sides of the tortilla over the filling. Then, fold the bottom edge up tightly over the filling. While holding the sides in, roll the burrito away from you from the bottom up until it's a tight, compact cylinder.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling. At this point, the burritos can be served immediately, or you can crisp them up.

Optional (for crispier burritos): Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the burritos seam-side down in the hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining burritos, adding more oil if needed.

Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired, and with your favorite salsa, sour cream, or guacamole on the side.

Final Notes

These versatile burritos are fantastic on their own, but they truly shine when served with your favorite toppings like a dollop of sour cream, a spoonful of zesty salsa, or creamy guacamole. They're perfect for meal prep, too – simply wrap individually and reheat for a quick and satisfying meal any time. Enjoy the simple pleasure of a homemade, flavor-packed burrito!

About the Author

Peter G

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.