MAKE AHEAD BEEF BURRITOS

Make Ahead Beef Burritos image

We are originally from California, and have always loved Mexican food. We were fortunate to have wonderful Mexican friends who shared their cooking tips. This is a recipe that we have developed over the years into one that is our favorite. With our busy lives, there are times when we just don't have time to fix a meal - being...

Provided by Marti Baxter

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c diced green or red pepper
1/2 c diced onion
1/2 c diced celery (optional)
1 c diced raw potato, or cooked rice
1 pkg burrito seasoning mix
1 can(s) rotel tomatoes
1/2 tsp each: garlic powder, oregano, ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp dried cilantro (or fresh if you have it)
1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste
1 small can sliced black olives
2 Tbsp butter
1 can(s) refried beans (with or without green chilis)
2 c cheddar or mexican blend shredded cheese
1 pkg burrito or fajita size flour tortillas

Steps:

1. Brown ground beef in skillet, remove meat and drain off fat. Add 1 Tbsp. canola or olive oil to the pan, add diced pepper, onion, celery, and sautee' until onion and celery have softened. Add previously cooked ground beef back into the pan, stir to combine with veggies.
2. Add Burrito Seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, garlic powder, oregano, ground cumin, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste; simmer on low for 5 minutes. Add diced raw potato (or cooked rice if you prefer), continue simmering for another 15 minutes (you want the potatoes 'done' but not 'mushy'). Remove from heat, stir in drained, sliced black olives if desired.
3. Place butter in skillet along with refried beans and mash together butter and beans and mashing any leftover whole beans. Cook on medium until bubbling. When meat and beans are done, you are ready to assemble burritos.
4. Heat each tortilla in a skillet (I use an iron skillet) with just a bit of non-stick spray (Pam), continue heating each tortilla and place on a covered plate. Alternate method: place one burrito shell on a plate and put in the microwave oven for 20 seconds, remove from microwave. Fill as follows:
5. Place a line of heated refried beans down the center of the tortilla. Add some shredded cheese to the line of beans. Then place beef mixture on top of the cheese. Fold the tortilla over and roll it to form the burrito. Repeat until all beef and beans are gone.
6. Wrap each burrito in Saran Wrap or aluminum foil, put them in a zip-lock freezer bag, and freeze them.
7. For a quick meal, take one or more out, unwrap, place on a microwave safe plate, and cover. Microwave for 6 minutes (or until hot thru). Eat plain, or garnish with grated cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and salsa. This way you can enjoy a burrito any time you want one.