If you’re craving a big, cheesy, saucy burrito, these Easy Smothered Burritos are just what you need! They’re filled with seasoned rice, black beans, tomatoes, and green peppers, then topped with melted cheese and salsa and baked until hot and bubbly.

They’re hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. And because there’s no meat to brown or grease to drain, you can get dinner on the table with less work.

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This recipe makes 8 servings, making it a great option for a family dinner or meal prep.

I originally created this recipe as a lighter way to enjoy the flavors of a restaurant-style smothered burrito. While these aren’t quite as enormous as the burritos you might order at a Mexican restaurant, they’re filling, delicious, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.

And yes, I know what you’re thinking…

Are these actually burritos or enchiladas?

We’re going with burritos. 

Why You’ll Love These Easy Smothered Burritos

There are so many things to love about this recipe!

They’re easy. The filling comes together in one skillet, and then everything goes into the oven to get warm and bubbly.

They’re filling. Rice and black beans make a hearty combination that doesn’t leave you wondering what happened to dinner an hour later.

They’re meatless. You don’t need ground beef, chicken, or another meat to make these satisfying.

They’re family-friendly. Everyone can add their favorite toppings, and you can easily adjust the spice level.

They’re great for leftovers. Since this recipe makes eight servings, you’ll have plenty for another meal during the week.

Are These Burritos or Enchiladas?

Okay, let’s settle this.

These could probably be classified as enchiladas, but I’m calling them burritos because it’s really about how you fold the tortilla.

When I originally made these, I didn’t want to spend a lot of time fussing with the tortilla folds. I rolled them up more like enchiladas, placed them seam-side down in the baking dish, and called it good.

Once they’re covered with the flavorful filling, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbly, I’m pretty sure nobody is going to complain about what they’re called!

So in my kitchen, they’re Easy Smothered Burritos.

What’s in Easy Smothered Burritos?

This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.

You’ll need:

• Chunky salsa
• Green bell pepper
• Water
• Black beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Rice
• Low-carb 10-inch tortillas
• Reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Thyme

I use black beans instead of refried beans in this recipe. I personally prefer the flavor and texture of black beans, and they’re incredibly easy to add to the filling. Just drain and rinse them before adding them to the skillet.

Why I Use Salsa Instead of Enchilada Sauce

Traditional smothered burritos are often covered in red enchilada sauce.

For this recipe, I use salsa instead.

I love the lighter, fresh flavor that salsa gives these burritos. It also makes the recipe incredibly easy because you don’t have to open another can or make a sauce from scratch.

That said, if you love enchilada sauce, go for it!

You can use red enchilada sauce or green enchilada sauce as a topping. Just remember that changing ingredients can change the nutrition information and WW Points.

A Little About This Recipe

My husband’s mother’s side of the family is from Mexico, and I’ve always loved Mexican food.

My mother-in-law makes some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. Her rice is one of my absolute favorites, and it’s something I always look forward to when our whole family gets together.

Believe it or not, though, after all the time I’ve been with my husband, I’ve never actually seen his mother make burritos!

Maybe I need to request them.

Her food is better than anything I’ve had at a Mexican restaurant, and I’m always excited when we get together and get to enjoy her cooking.

I’ve promised for a while that I’ll eventually share her Spanish rice recipe, too. I really need to get around to that because it would make an amazing side dish for these burritos!

Can I Add Meat?

Absolutely.

While these burritos are delicious without meat, you can easily add a protein if you’d like.

Some zero point options include (check WW app):

• Ground beef
• Ground turkey
• Shredded chicken

If you add meat, simply cook it separately and stir it into the filling.

Keep in mind that adding meat will change the nutritional information and possibly the WW Points.

If you’re following Weight Watchers, enter the complete recipe with your chosen protein into the current WW recipe builder for the most accurate Points value.

What Can I Put on Top?

This is one of my favorite parts!

I like to add fresh cilantro and extra salsa, but you can customize these however you like.

Try adding:

• Green onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced tomatoes
• Jalapeños
• Fresh lime juice
• Hot sauce
• Light or fat-free sour cream
• Avocado
• Your favorite salsa

You can also add a little extra cheese if that’s your thing.

Just remember that toppings can change the nutritional information and Points value.

Tips for Making the Best Smothered Burritos

Don’t overfill the tortillas.

It’s tempting to pile as much filling into each tortilla as possible, but you’ll have an easier time rolling them if you keep the filling to about ¼ cup per tortilla.

Warm your tortillas if needed.

If your tortillas are stiff or cracking when you try to roll them, warm them briefly before assembling the burritos.

Place them seam-side down.

Once you’ve rolled each tortilla, place it seam-side down in your baking dish. This helps keep everything together while you assemble the rest.

Don’t skip the foil.

Covering the dish while it bakes helps prevent the tortillas from drying out.

Watch the cheese.

You only need to bake the burritos until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Can I Make These Ahead of Time?

Yes!

You can assemble the burritos ahead of time, cover the baking dish, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

If you’re starting with a cold baking dish straight from the refrigerator, you may need to add a little extra baking time.

This also makes these burritos a convenient meal-prep option.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover burritos in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to eat them, reheat them in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Because this recipe makes eight servings, it’s a great option when you want to cook once and have dinner ready for another night.

Can I Freeze These Burritos?

You can freeze them, although the texture of the tortillas may change slightly after freezing and reheating.

If you decide to freeze them, consider freezing individual portions so you can thaw and reheat only what you need.

Can I Make These Spicy?

Definitely!

The recipe as written is fairly easy to customize.

For more heat, try:

• Hot salsa
• Diced jalapeños
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Hot sauce
• Spicy enchilada sauce

If you’re feeding kids or people who don’t like spicy food, stick with mild salsa and let everyone add heat to their own serving.

How Many Servings Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes 8 servings, with one burrito per serving.

The recipe is calculated at 3 WW Points per serving.

However, WW Points values can change as the Weight Watchers program changes, and the exact Points value can also depend on the brands and specific ingredients you use.

For the most accurate current Points value, enter the complete recipe into the current WW app recipe builder.

If you’re not following WW, I’ve included the nutrition information below the recipe.

Easy Smothered Burritos Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup chunky salsa, divided
• 1 green bell pepper, diced into small pieces
• ⅓ cup water
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon thyme
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• ¾ cup of this ingredient 
• 8 low-carb 10-inch tortillas
• ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Over medium heat, add ½ cup of the salsa, green pepper, cumin, water, diced tomatoes with their liquid, rice, salt, pepper, and thyme.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Drain and rinse the black beans.
7. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir the black beans into the rice mixture.
8. Cover and continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked.
9. Spray an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
10. Place one tortilla on a flat surface and add approximately ¼ cup of the rice and bean mixture.
11. Roll the tortilla and place it seam-side down in the baking dish.
12. Repeat with the remaining seven tortillas.
13. Once all of the tortillas are in the baking dish, spoon the remaining rice and bean mixture over the top.
14. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the burritos.
15. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
16. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
17. Remove from the oven.
18. Top with the remaining ½ cup of salsa and garnish with fresh cilantro.
19. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

 

Storage

Place leftover burritos in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

WW Points

This recipe calculated at 3 WW Points per serving.

Because WW Points and individual food values can change, and because different brands can have different nutritional information, I recommend entering the complete recipe into the current WW app for the most accurate Points value.

Be sure to calculate any additional toppings, sauces, cheese, crema, or other ingredients you add.

Final Thoughts

These Easy Smothered Burritos have become one of my favorite ways to enjoy all of those cheesy, saucy Mexican-inspired flavors without making a complicated dinner.

They’re filling, easy to customize, and don’t require you to cook meat before you even get started.

And whether you call them burritos or enchiladas, I think we can all agree on one thing:

They’re delicious!

If you make them, I’d love to know what you think. Leave a comment below and tell me what toppings you used or whether you added your own twist to the recipe.

For more filling and delicious WW-friendly recipes, check out my Weight Watchers recipes.