Creating a meal that is both nourishing and flavorful can feel like a small victory during a busy week, and that’s exactly the spirit behind my Delightful Beef Burritos and Beef Ragu recipe. This dish was born from equal parts practicality and culinary curiosity—rooted in a desire to cook something hearty for my family, but also to make the most of a standard ingredient like ground beef.
One weekend, I found myself with a 750-gram portion of ground beef in the fridge, which inspired the idea of a two-in-one cooking session. Half would be turned into deliciously spiced burritos for the adults, and the other half into a mild and comforting beef ragu for my toddler. This approach not only saved time but also gave me the chance to freeze extra portions for busier days ahead—a win for future me and a smart way to ensure that home-cooked meals are always within easy reach.
Let’s talk about the burritos first. Inspired by classic Tex-Mex flavors, I aimed for a simple but satisfying base: tender ground beef sautéed with diced onion and garlic, enriched with tomato passata and just a touch of water to ensure a luscious texture. To bring depth and warmth, I added a homemade combination of spices: oregano, cumin, smoky paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. These staples deliver a robust flavor that fills the kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma and elevates humble ingredients with minimal effort.
While the beef filling is rich and bold, the real magic happens when it meets the wraps. Each warm tortilla is layered with creamy avocado (smashed with lime for zing), black beans for earthiness, and a sprinkle of cheese for indulgence. A handful of cherry tomatoes adds freshness with every bite, balancing the savory and spicy with a burst of natural sweetness.
On the other side of the plate is the beef ragu—a more subtle, kid-friendly variation designed with my young son in mind. To keep the flavors gentle for him, I reserved some of the sautéed onion and beef and simmered it slowly with chopped tomatoes and a touch of smoked paprika for a deeper, slightly sweet taste. This ragu can be paired with pasta, rice, or even polenta, frozen in small portions for an easy meal he can enjoy later.
What’s beautiful about both dishes is their adaptability. The burritos welcome all sorts of add-ins—rice, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, or sour cream—while the ragu can serve as a base for lasagna or shepherd’s pie. This recipe reflects a real-world approach to cooking: working with what’s on hand, considering the palates of everyone in the family, and making a bit of effort go a long way.
In the end, these dishes are more than just meals—they’re little moments of care wrapped up in tortilla or stirred into sauce, showing that even everyday cooking can feel special with the right touch.
Delightful Beef Burritos and Beef Ragu
Ingredients
Burrito Ingredients
½ medium onion - diced- 500 grams ground beef (minced beef)
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoons passata or crushed tomatoes (tomato puree with seeds removed)
- 3 tablespoons water
Burrito Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Additions for Burrito
- 6 medium flour tortilla wraps
- ½ tin black beans
- 75 grams cheese
- 1 handful cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium avocado - mashed with 1 juiced lime
- 1 medium lime - juiced
Beef Ragu Ingredients
- 250 grams ground beef (minced beef)
- 1 tin tomatoes - chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ medium yellow onion - diced
Instructions
- In a large pan, fry the onion in a bit of oil for a few minutes, then brown off all mince. In another pan, add a little oil, add the carrots and celery, and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Take roughly a third out, put it into the other pan for the ragu, and add the tomatoes, paprika, and onion. Cook on low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- With the remaining mince, add the garlic cloves, tomato puree and water, and cook for another minute.
- Add all of the seasonings, then stir through the beans.
- Warm the tortillas, then add your toppings.
