Feed-a-Crowd Healthy Beef and Bean Burritos
Bold but simple, Feed-a-Crowd Beef and Bean Burritos can be made ahead to satisfy big families (and create leftovers!)
I love burritos, and so do my kids. But I rarely make them at home. Why? Because making burritos is a stand-around, hands-busy kind of activity. Like flipping pancakes.
And since I’m a working mama with two little kids, I don’t usually have time for that kind of cooking. (If you’re wondering, I throw my pancake batter into mini muffin pans and bake it. That’s right.)
But when I discovered that I could make ten burritos all at once, and line them up in a baking dish for a heat-on-my-time meal, I had to try it!
Not only was the prep easy, I also found that that I could get a solidly delicious and nutritious burrito using just SIX ingredients.
Feed-a-Crowd Beef and Bean Burritos are a totally do-able dinner you can feel good about serving your kids.
A Healthy “Taco Tuesday”
In America, Mexican cuisine doesn’t have a reputation for being super healthy. But when you make it at home, it is!
Let’s break down what makes these beef and bean burritos healthy and nourishing for you and your kids:
- Fiber-rich whole grain tortillas (look for 100% whole wheat at the store.)
- Heart-healthy beans for a good source of plant protein.
- Ground beef (we use grass-fed) for protein and easily absorbable iron.
- Whole milk cheese for calcium, protein, and brain-building fats.
- Zesty tomatoes and onions for a boost of vitamins and phytonutrients.
We like to pair these burritos with a simple veggie side like salad, coleslaw, or crunchy raw carrots. Or even some fresh fruit.
Easy Beef and Bean Burritos
Here’s the scoop on these burritos: They’ve got SIX main ingredients. Just six! Even so, they taste anything but basic.
Of course you can add extras if you like, like salsa, shredded cabbage, or avocado. But even with just the basic six, you’ll get lots of flavor. And the cooking and assembly is easy peasy, and can be done ahead. Here’s how:
Saute the beef and onions, add a half a can of zesty tomatoes with chiles, then pile it all inside warm whole wheat tortillas along with refried beans and cheddar.
You could even mix and match your burritos to make some vegetarian, some with the beef, and some with leftover cooked chicken, if you’ve got it.
Then place the rolled-up burritos in a baking dish and top with the rest of the tomatoes, and more cheese. Bake until it’s all melty, throw down some chopped cilantro, and you’ve got healthy, tasty burritos for days!
Literally, days. Send the leftovers in a lunchbox, or wrap them individually in tin foil to freeze. Enjoy!
Feed-a-Crowd Healthy Beef and Bean Burritos
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pound beef, ground, 95% lean
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes, canned
- 10 medium tortilla, whole wheat
- 28 ounce refried beans, canned, fat-free
- 12 ounce cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a large pan over medium heat, saute diced onion in olive oil until softened, about ten minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink. Raise the temperature to medium-high if you need to.
- Add 1 can of diced tomatoes to the beef and cook a few minutes more. Set aside.
- Warm tortillas slightly to make them more pliable, then fill one with a spread of refried beans, a sprinkle of cheese, a spoonful or two of the beef mixture. Roll it up, then place in a large baking dish. Repeat with all the tortillas.
- Spoon about half the second can of diced tomatoes on top of the burritos, and sprinkle the rest of the grated cheese over it.
- Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, until the burritos are soft and bubbly.
- Sprinkle with cilantro, if using, and serve.
Nutrition
www.superhealthykids.com
Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
Learn More about Natalie
Should the amount of tomato be a 28oz can? The recipe says “28 cup – diced tomatoes, canned”.
Krista, Yes! It should be one 28-ounce can. of tomatoes. Thank you for pointing that out! I’ll get it fixed in the recipe.
Hi!
Finally a burrito recipe that sounds actually doable! Thank you so much. Just one question: are these freezable? Thanks!