Taco Bell-Inspired Cheesy Quesarito Delight (Print version)

A cheesy Taco Bell-style quesarito with seasoned beef, rice, chipotle sauce, sour cream, nacho cheese, and a crisp griddled tortilla.

# Ingredients:

For the seasoned rice

01 - 3/4 cup (150 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
02 - 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) water
03 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
04 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the beef

06 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
07 - 1 tablespoon masa harina
08 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) water

For the chipotle sauce

15 - 1/3 cup (80 g) sour cream
16 - 1/4 cup (55 g) mayonnaise
17 - 1 tablespoon minced chipotle in adobo, plus more to taste
18 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
19 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For assembly

20 - 8 large flour tortillas, 10-inch size
21 - 1 cup (240 g) nacho cheese sauce, warmed
22 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
23 - 1/3 cup (80 g) sour cream
24 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil, for griddling

# Instructions:

01 - Combine rinsed rice, water, tomato paste, salt, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to low, and cook for 15-18 minutes until tender. Rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff.
02 - Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in masa harina, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and water. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until saucy and thickened.
04 - Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle in adobo, lime juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Taste and add more chipotle if you want extra heat.
05 - For each quesarito, spread 2 tablespoons nacho cheese on one tortilla and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Top with a second tortilla and warm in a skillet for 30-45 seconds per side until the cheese begins to melt.
06 - Lay the warm cheese-filled tortilla stack on a board. Add rice, beef, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and a spoonful of nacho cheese in a narrow strip. Fold in the sides and roll tightly like a burrito.
07 - Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesarito seam-side down for about 2 minutes, then turn and cook 1-2 minutes more until golden and hot.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after griddling while the cheese layer is soft.
02 - Prep the beef, rice, and sauce ahead to make assembly faster.

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