Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt is the perfect 20-minute dinner solution. After making this countless times, I’ve mastered the crispy, cheesy perfection you love from the restaurant. The trick is to cook the beef and cheese together, creating a melty, irresistible filling. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs and Easy Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden cheese crust
- Flavorful ground beef and cheese filling
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Lettuce, diced
- Optional: Diced tomatoes
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Guacamole
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for best results.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect crispiness. → See on Amazon
- Tortilla warmer — Keeps tortillas warm and pliable while you assemble. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
- Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir until melted and combined with the beef.
- Step 4: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or tortilla warmer.
- Step 5: Spoon beef and cheese mixture onto each tortilla. Fold in half and press down to seal.
- Step 6: In the same skillet, toast the folded tortillas until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Step 7: Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when toasting the tortillas. Cook them in batches if needed to prevent sogginess.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, sprinkle a little bit of the shredded cheese directly onto the skillet before placing the folded tortillas in.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare the beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef and whole wheat tortillas.
Storing & Reheating Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and heat for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. May be soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Best substitution: Use shredded Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar for a more authentic flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your tortillas are breaking, try using smaller tortillas or folding them in quarters instead of halves.
Want to level up this recipe?
Taco seasoning mix — Authentic Taco Bell flavor in a pinch. Pays for itself vs. takeout! → Check price on Amazon
Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 small flour tortillas
Seasonings
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce, diced
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir until melted and combined with the beef.
- Step 4: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or tortilla warmer.
- Step 5: Spoon beef and cheese mixture onto each tortilla. Fold in half and press down to seal.
- Step 6: In the same skillet, toast the folded tortillas until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Step 7: Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Best substitution: Use shredded Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar for a more authentic flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your tortillas are breaking, try using smaller tortillas or folding them in quarters instead of halves.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. May be soggy.
- Make ahead: Prepare beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 27g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 14g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the beef and cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat in the skillet when ready to serve.
Overcooking the beef can lead to a dry filling. Make sure to cook the beef until it's no longer pink, but don't overcook it.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, spray the folded tortillas with cooking spray and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes per side.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes for the best texture. The microwave can make them soggy.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Copycat Taco Bell Meximelt Recipe for Quick Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
