This Frozen Burrito Casserole is my go-to emergency dinner when the freezer is nearly empty and I need something on the table fast — just cover frozen burritos in enchilada sauce and cheese and bake. It goes from freezer to oven in 5 minutes and it’s the easiest dinner hack I know!
I built Eating on a Dime because I believe every family deserves a good dinner on the table no matter what the budget looks like that week — and at $1.30 a serving this casserole is proof that affordable does not mean settling.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This burrito hack makes boring frozen burritos taste like a fancy authentic dinner. Here is why it works:
- Only 3 ingredients — frozen burritos, enchilada sauce, and shredded cheese
- 5 minutes of prep — it is in the oven before you can even think about ordering delivery
- $1.30 per serving — feeds 6 for under $8 total
- Every person customizes their own toppings — zero complaints at the table
- Leftovers reheat perfectly all week
Quick Glance at this Recipe
- Budget-Friendly: Feeds 6 for under $8
- Family-Tested: A kid-friendly dinner that is always a hit
- Real-Life Prep Time: About 5 minutes
- Cooking Method: Oven Baked
- Freezer-Friendly: Yes
- Best For: Busy weeknights, feeding a crowd, easy family dinners
If you love easy Mexican-inspired dinners like this one you will also love our Mexican Rice Casserole, Mexican Tator Tot Casserole, The Cheesy Burrito Casserole My Kids Keep Begging Me For and Taco Casserole They all come together with pantry staples and are perfect for stretching a budget-friendly meal into a full spread the whole family will love.
Ingredients
All three of these ingredients are available at any regular grocery store — and most families already have the enchilada sauce and shredded cheese on hand. This is genuinely one of the most pantry-friendly dinners on the site.
- Frozen Burritos – Beef, bean, chicken, or your favorite variety all work well.
- Red Enchilada Sauce – Adds flavor and keeps the burritos moist while baking.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend – Melts beautifully over the casserole.
- Optional toppings – Chopped cilantro, Sour cream and Pico de gallo
How to Make Frozen Burrito Casserole
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange 8 frozen burritos (unwrap if needed) in a single layer in the dish.
Step 2 – Pour 2 cans (20 oz total) red enchilada sauce evenly over the burritos. Bake for 30 minutes.
Step 3 – Sprinkle 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese on top and bake an additional 3–5 minutes, until melted.
Step 4 – Serve with optional toppings like cilantro, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
Tips for Success
- Cover the burritos completely with enchilada sauce — this keeps them from drying out and gives every bite that saucy authentic flavor
- Hand shred your cheese from a block — we recommend this every time because it melts so much smoother than the bagged pre-shredded stuff
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving — it makes it easier to scoop and serve without everything falling apart
- Add extra toppings for more flavor and texture — sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños take this from simple to restaurant-worthy in seconds
Variations and Substitutions
- Change the Burritos – Use beef, bean, chicken, steak, or breakfast burritos depending on what your family prefers.
- Swap the Cheese – Colby Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or Pepper Jack cheese are all great options.
- Make It Spicy – Use hot enchilada sauce or add diced jalapeños before baking.
- Add Extra Protein – Top with cooked taco meat, shredded chicken, or seasoned ground beef before adding the cheese.
- Add Vegetables – Mix in black beans, corn, diced green chiles, or bell peppers for extra flavor.
Storage, Leftovers & Freezer Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or reheat in a 350-degree oven until heated through.
- Freeze Leftovers: Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: Transfer to the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to one day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
FAQs
Yes — this recipe costs about $7.79 total or $1.30 per serving making it one of the most affordable dinners on this site. Using frozen burritos as the base means you can build a filling homemade-tasting meal without a long grocery list or a big grocery bill.
Beef, bean, and chicken frozen burritos all work great in this casserole — I have tested all three. My family’s go-to is beef for the richest flavor but bean burritos are the most budget-friendly and a great vegetarian option. Use whatever you have on hand or whatever is on sale; this recipe is forgiving.
No. Place the frozen burritos directly into the baking dish and bake as directed.
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
This casserole pairs well with Spanish rice, Mexican rice, refried beans, chips and salsa, or a simple green salad.
More Easy Mexican Casseroles
This Frozen Burrito Casserole has become one of our most requested emergency dinners — and in a house with 8 kids, a recipe that takes 5 minutes of prep and makes everyone happy is worth its weight in gold.
If you give it a try leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing which burrito variety your family chose and what toppings everyone loaded on top!
Frozen Burrito Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 frozen burritos
- 2 cans 10 oz each red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
Optional toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange 8 frozen burritos (unwrap if needed) in a single layer in the dish.
- Pour 2 cans (20 oz total) red enchilada sauce evenly over the burritos.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese on top and bake an additional 3–5 minutes, until melted.
- Serve with optional toppings like cilantro, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
This quick freezer dinner saved our weeknight; five stars!
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the positive review!
We’ve been making this for over 25 years! It’s what our (now 40 year old) son used to request for his birthday dinner. We made side dishes of Mexican rice and depending on the type of burritos, refried beans.
Melissa – This is so special that you make it for birthdays! Thanks for sharing. I love the side ideas too!