Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce

Welcome to a culinary fiesta with a twist! Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos are the ultimate comfort food that brings together the bold flavors of peppers, tender beef, and a luscious creamy sauce. Picture juicy boneless chuck roast slow-cooked to perfection, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, and smothered in gooey Monterrey Jack cheese. These indulgent burritos are a surefire way to warm your soul on a chilly evening or to impress your guests at a weekend feast.

I still remember the first time I whipped up these Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos during a family gathering. Now, they have become a crowd favorite, eliciting requests whenever there’s a craving for some Mexican-inspired homey comfort. The mellow heat and rich flavor of the chile sauce take me back to road trips through the Southwest, creating an instant sense of nostalgia and happiness at the dinner table.

Leftovers of these delectable burritos can be easily stored and reheated, ensuring that every bite remains as delicious as the first. Whether you choose to stick to the traditional beef chuck roast or experiment with pork shoulder or rotisserie chicken, these burritos promise a burst of flavors and textures that will keep everyone coming back for more. So, gather your favorite toppings, wrap up a burrito masterpiece, and let the flavors transport you to a mini fiesta with every bite.

Quick Benefits

• Tender and flavorful beef chunks from slow cooking boneless chuck roast
• Creamy and rich sauce made with heavy cream and thickened with flour
• Easy make-ahead option by preparing and freezing the burritos before baking
• Customizable with various toppings like cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo for added flavor and texture

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce Recipe

• Bold Flavors: Packed with bold peppers and a creamy sauce, this recipe offers a burst of flavors in every bite.
• Easy Preparation: The slow cooker does most of the work, making it a convenient option for a delicious meal without much effort.
• Tender Beef: The boneless chuck roast cooks down easily and shreds perfectly, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Comfort Food: Ideal for a cozy evening at home or a weekend treat, these burritos provide the ultimate comfort food experience.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable with alternative proteins like pork or chicken and various cheese options, allowing you to tailor the recipe to your preferences.
• Make-Ahead: Perfect for meal prep, the burritos can be assembled ahead of time and frozen, making it a convenient option for busy days.
• Versatile Toppings: The recipe allows you to get creative with toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro, sour cream, and more for added flavor and texture.
• Leftover Friendly: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days and reheated easily, ensuring you can enjoy this delicious meal multiple times.

Ingredients for Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce

Beef and Sauce

• 1/2 cup of onion, diced
• Chop up 2 garlic cloves
• Grab 2 pounds of boneless beef chuck roast, cut it into 3 or 4 chunks
• Sprinkle in a teaspoon of beef bouillon granules
• 1 jar Ortega Chile Colorado sauce
• Salt and black pepper—just add as much as you like

Creamy Sauce Preparation

• Stir together 3 tablespoons water
• Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Scoop in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Assembly

• 8 flour tortillas, each around 8-inches wide
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped up
• 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded

Optional Toppings

• A dollop of sour cream if you like (optional)
• Guacamole to add on top, if you want
• Some fresh pico de gallo, as an extra (optional)

Pro Tips for Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce

For the Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos, a great pro tip is to use boneless chuck roast for the beef. It cooks down easily and shreds beautifully when slow-cooked, adding a deliciously tender texture to your burritos. Another helpful tip is to make the burritos ahead of time and freeze them before baking. This way, you can have a convenient and quick meal ready to go whenever you need it, just make sure to thaw them before baking for the perfect melty cheese inside.

To add extra richness and creaminess to the Chile Colorado sauce, mix in some heavy cream and then thicken it up with a water-and-flour mixture. This will give your sauce a luxurious texture that pairs perfectly with the bold peppers and tender beef. Additionally, get creative with your toppings by adding fresh cilantro, guacamole, pico de gallo, or any other zesty ingredients that you love. Customizing your burrito with these flavorful additions will take your dish to the next level and make it a true fiesta on your plate.

How to Make Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker

Lightly coat the slow cooker with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Beef and Sauce Ingredients

Combine beef chunks, chile Colorado sauce, bouillon, diced onion, and chopped garlic in the slow cooker.

Step 3: Slow Cook Beef Mixture

Cover with lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until beef is tender and easily falls apart.

Step 4: Shred Beef

Remove beef from pot, leaving sauce. Shred beef using forks, season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.

Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a 9×13 pan and spread about 1/3 cup of sauce from the slow cooker on the bottom.

Step 6: Prepare Creamy Sauce

Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the sauce into a saucepan. Stir in heavy cream. In a bowl, combine flour and water until smooth, then add to the sauce. Simmer over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep warm as you assemble burritos.

Step 7: Assemble Burritos

Place the tortillas flat and fill each evenly with beef. Roll them tightly and arrange seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 8: Add Sauce and Cheese

Pour the creamy sauce over the burritos and top with shredded Monterrey Jack cheese.

Step 9: Bake

Place the dish in the hot oven, uncovered, for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is bubbly.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with fresh cilantro and add desired toppings such as sour cream, pico de gallo, or guacamole before serving.

Storage Tips

Once you have enjoyed your Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos, it is important to store any leftovers properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. Wrap the burritos tightly to ensure the tortillas stay soft and store them in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two or three days. It is recommended to store the sauce separately in its own container to prevent the burritos from becoming soggy.

When reheating multiple burritos, tent the pan with foil and warm them in a low oven. For reheating a single burrito, microwave it with a little water or sauce for the best results. To freeze the burritos before baking, wrap them well and store them in the freezer. Before baking, allow the burritos to thaw completely to ensure the cheese melts and the filling heats through evenly. This dish is versatile and can be enjoyed freshly made or reheated for a quick and delicious meal.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find Ortega Chile Colorado sauce, feel free to substitute it with any bold and not sweet U.S. red chile sauce or even enchilada sauce as an alternative. Pork shoulder can be used instead of beef chuck roast for a different flavor profile, and rotisserie chicken is a great lighter option. When it comes to cheese, Monterey Jack can be swapped with cheddar or any melty Mexican blend based on your preference. For a healthier alternative to sour cream, Greek yogurt can be used as a tangy topping.

To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, consider using plant-based meat substitutes like textured vegetable protein or jackfruit in place of beef. For a vegan version of these burritos, you can use dairy-free alternatives like plant-based cream and cheese. Additionally, you can bulk up the filling with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, corn, zucchini, or mushrooms to add more flavor and texture. Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite ingredients like sliced avocado, pickled jalapeños, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a burst of freshness.

Serving Suggestions

For a fun and interactive serving suggestion, set up a build-your-own burrito bar for a gathering with family or friends. Lay out bowls of shredded cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and extra cilantro for everyone to customize their Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos to their liking. Let guests stuff their tortillas with the flavorful beef chuck roast, creamy sauce, and melty cheese before baking them to perfection.

If you’re looking for a cozy and comforting individual serving idea, try topping each baked Creamy Chile Colorado Burrito with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve alongside a side of Mexican rice and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal that will warm you up from the inside out. Enjoy the creamy, spicy flavors of the burritos with the coolness of the sour cream for a delicious contrast in every bite.

FAQs for Spicy Beef Burritos with Creamy Chile Sauce

Can I make these Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Cook the beef, shred it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to assemble the burritos. You can also prepare and wrap the burritos, freeze them before baking, and then thaw them before baking until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot.

How can I thicken the creamy Chile Colorado sauce?

To thicken the creamy chile Colorado sauce, mix in some heavy cream with the sauce and then create a slurry by mixing water and flour together. Stir this slurry into the sauce to achieve a rich and creamy texture.

What are some alternative ingredients I can use in these burritos?

If you can’t find Chile Colorado sauce, you can use any bold and not sweet jarred U.S. red chile sauce or even enchilada sauce as a substitute. Pork shoulder or rotisserie chicken can be used instead of beef, and you can switch up the cheese to cheddar or a melty Mexican blend. Greek yogurt can be a tangy substitute for sour cream.

How should I store and reheat leftover Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos?

To store leftovers, wrap the burritos tightly to keep the tortillas soft and store the sauce separately to prevent sogginess. Leftovers can be refrigerated for two to three days. Reheat several burritos at a time by tenting the pan with foil and placing it in a low oven. For reheating a single burrito, microwave it with a little water or sauce for best results.

Conclusion

Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos are a delightful way to bring the flavors of the Southwest into your home. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving a cozy dinner, these burritos are sure to satisfy with their rich and creamy sauce, tender beef, and gooey cheese. The best part is that you can customize them with your favorite toppings to make each bite uniquely delicious.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations of Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos using alternative proteins like pork or chicken, or switching up the cheeses and toppings to suit your taste. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility and how it can easily adapt to your preferences. So, gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the process of creating a warm and comforting meal that will have everyone coming back for more. Creamy Chile Colorado Burritos are a true crowd-pleaser that will elevate any dinner into a festive fiesta.