Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito

When you can’t decide between a quesadilla or a burrito, a quesarito is the only solution. Taco Bell fans were elated when this item first hit the menu in 2014. Unfortunately, it was retired from the official menu in 2023, and while it’s made a few limited reappearances, there are no signs that it will ever make a permanent return. Luckily, our copycat Taco Bell quesarito recipe tastes just like the real thing.

Plus, our version is actually really easy to make. You can prepare it exactly to your taste, whether that means swapping chicken for the ground beef, or packing it full of veggies like roasted bell peppers, onions or mushrooms. So, the next time you’re craving a quesarito from Taco Bell, no need to check if it’s back on the menu—you can make one in your own kitchen!

What is a quesarito?

As its portmanteau name suggests, a quesarito is basically a quesadilla wrapped into a burrito filled with taco meat, seasoned rice, nacho cheese sauce, chipotle sauce and sour cream.

Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito Ingredients

• Olive oil: Olive oil is used to brown the beef. You can use vegetable oil or another neutral cooking oil if you prefer.
• Ground beef: Use a 90% or 80% lean ground beef to make the seasoned taco meat.
• Taco Bell taco seasoning: To best match the flavor of Taco Bell seasoned beef, use a Taco Bell taco seasoning packet. The seasoning is combined with water to flavor the ground beef. You could also use 1 ounce of homemade taco seasoning if you’re in a pinch.
• Seasoned rice: A store-bought 8.5-ounce pouch of seasoned rice helps this copycat quesarito come together in a flash. Spanish rice, which is flavored with peppers, tomatoes and spices, is the best flavor match for Taco Bell seasoned rice, but cilantro-lime flavored rice will also work in this burrito recipe. If you have extra time, you can use homemade Spanish rice.
• Nacho cheese sauce: Use store-bought nacho cheese sauce or make nacho cheese from scratch. You’ll likely not use up all the nacho cheese sauce, so put the remainder to use in another queso recipe.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: For the easiest melting, shred the cheese yourself. Packaged shredded cheese includes additives that help the cheese to last longer, but that also prevent it from melting as evenly. If packaged cheese is all you have on hand, go ahead and use it!
• Sour cream: Sour cream adds a rich, creamy flavor to the quesaritos. Substitute plain Greek yogurt if you prefer.
• Taco Bell chipotle sauce: Use store-bought Taco Bell chipotle sauce (basically a mayonnaise flavored with chipotle peppers, garlic and onion) to add a punch of heat to the quesarito.
• Flour tortillas: Each quesarito starts with a quesadilla made from two 8-inch flour tortillas.

Directions

Step 1: Make the seasoned taco meat

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, six to eight minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain off excess grease.

In a small bowl, combine the water and taco seasoning and stir into the cooked meat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until thickened, eight to ten minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Prep the rice and nacho cheese

While the meat is simmering, prepare the seasoned rice according to the package directions. Set it aside.

Step 3: Make the quesadillas

To make the quesadillas, set a flour tortilla in a large skillet over medium heat and sprinkle it with 1 cup of shredded cheese, spreading it evenly across the tortilla, leaving about 1 inch of space around the edge. After the cheese begins to melt, top it with the second tortilla and carefully flip the quesadilla over. Continue cooking it until the cheese is fully melted, about one to two minutes. Carefully remove the quesadilla from the skillet and place it on a large cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and shredded cheese.

Step 4: Fill the quesadillas

Spread 2 tablespoons of warmed nacho cheese sauce down the center of the quesadilla. Top the cheese sauce with 1/3 cup of cooked seasoned rice followed by 1/3 cup of seasoned taco meat.

Dab 2 tablespoons of sour cream down the center, followed by 1 tablespoon of chipotle creamy sauce. Fold the sides and ends of the tortillas over the filling. Roll until the fillings are sealed inside.

Step 5: Griddle the burritos

Cooking in batches if needed, place the quesaritos seam-side down into the same skillet over medium heat, and toast until it’s sealed, one to two minutes. Flip it and toast it until it’s lightly browned, another one to two minutes.

Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito Variations

• Make it vegetarian: For a meat-free quesarito, simply replace the seasoned beef with black beans or refried beans. If you use canned refried beans, use a vegetarian version rather than a traditional variety that may have been made with lard.
• Make it spicy: In 2015, Taco Bell introduced a Sriracha quesarito. To recreate this version, simply add a dash or more of Sriracha or hot sauce, depending on how spicy you like it.
• Use other kinds of cheese: In addition to cheddar cheese, you could also use a combination of cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack cheese or packaged Mexican cheese blend.
• Make it for breakfast: To make a breakfast quesarito, replace the seasoned beef and rice with scrambled eggs and loaded breakfast potatoes or crispy hash browns.

How to Store Copycat Taco Bell Quesaritos

Leftover quesaritos can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days. Any leftover individual ingredients, such as seasoned rice, taco meat or nacho cheese sauce, should be stored in separate airtight containers.

Can you make a copycat Taco Bell quesarito ahead of time?

A copycat Taco Bell quesarito tastes best when made fresh. However, you could prep the seasoned beef one to two days in advance. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Reheat the meat in the microwave before building the quesaritos.

Can you freeze copycat Taco Bell quesaritos?

Yes, you can freeze copycat Taco Bell quesaritos. After allowing the sealed quesarito to cool, wrap it in foil. Transfer it to a freezer-safe storage container and freeze it for up to three months.

You can reheat a quesarito in the microwave or oven. To reheat it in the microwave, transfer the quesarito to a microwave-safe dish and reheat it in 30-second intervals until it’s warmed through. To reheat it in the oven, transfer it to a baking sheet and bake it in a 350º oven until it’s warmed through, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Copycat Taco Bell Quesarito Tips

What sauce does Taco Bell use on its quesarito?

The official quesarito ingredient list includes chipotle sauce. You can purchase Taco Bell creamy chipotle sauce at the grocery store, or whip up your own chipotle sauce at home by blending together 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, one chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic power, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

Can I still order a quesarito at Taco Bell?

Taco Bell retired the fan-favorite quesarito in 2023. However, it has made a few limited reappearances, including a stint back on the menu in December 2025, and on one day in August 2026. Now that you have this recipe, you no longer need to worry about when Taco bell is bringing it back because you’ll be able to make quesaritos whenever you want.

What toppings can I add to a Taco Bell quesarito?

The stuff that goes inside a quesarito is just as tasty on the outside. You can serve your quesarito alongside additional sour cream, nacho cheese sauce and creamy chipotle sauce for dipping. Or, for a different flavor profile, serve the quesaritos alongside a creamy cilantro lime sauce made with 1 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of minced fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon of grated lime zest, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.

Don’t forget to serve it alongside other Taco Bell copycat recipes.