Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas: Your New Favorite Easy Weeknight Meal
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There’s nothing quite like the comforting, savory flavors of a homemade enchilada casserole, and this Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe truly stands out. Featuring perfectly seasoned lean ground beef, generously wrapped in soft corn tortillas, and lavishly smothered in a rich, tangy red enchilada sauce, then baked to cheesy perfection, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s the ultimate oven-baked casserole that brings authentic Mexican-inspired flavors right to your dinner table.
My entire family absolutely adores these easy beef enchiladas. The combination of flavorful ground beef, doused in a vibrant red sauce, and topped with a generous layer of melted shredded cheese is simply irresistible. This classic dish offers the perfect blend of hearty ingredients and comforting tastes, making it a staple in our home and an ideal easy dinner recipe for even the busiest weeknights.
While Mexican restaurants are a delightful treat, dining out isn’t always feasible or budget-friendly. This simple ground beef enchilada recipe solves that problem, allowing you to enjoy restaurant-quality flavor and satisfaction in the comfort of your own kitchen. It’s an economical way to serve a delicious, homemade meal that will make everyone happy, without breaking the bank.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef Enchilada Recipe
- Family Favorite: A dish that appeals to all ages, making dinner time a breeze.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients to create a satisfying meal without the restaurant price tag.
- Quick & Simple: Ready in about 30 minutes of active cooking, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the protein, spice level, or toppings to suit your family’s preferences.
- Great for Meal Prep: Makes fantastic leftovers and can even be prepared ahead of time.
- Hearty & Satisfying: A fulfilling meal that will keep everyone full and happy.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Ground Beef Enchiladas:
Creating truly delicious enchiladas starts with a few key components. This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that come together to create a burst of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Protein: I prefer to use lean ground beef for a less greasy, healthier filling. It browns beautifully and absorbs the seasonings perfectly.
- Seasoning: A flavorful blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder is essential to infuse the beef filling with authentic Mexican-inspired taste. These pantry staples create a robust and aromatic base.
- Sauce: You can opt for convenience with canned red enchilada sauce or take it up a notch with a homemade version. Both provide the classic rich, savory base for these enchiladas.
- Cheese: For that ultimate gooey, cheesy goodness, use either shredded sharp cheddar cheese or a pre-shredded Mexican blend cheese. Sharp cheddar adds a wonderful tang, while the Mexican blend offers a harmonious mix of flavors.
- Tortillas: Corn tortillas are my top choice for their traditional flavor and texture, which holds up well to the saucy filling and baking process.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas
Making these ground beef enchiladas is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked and incredibly delicious meal every time:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). This ensures that your enchiladas will cook evenly and the cheese will melt beautifully once they go into the oven.
Next, grab a large skillet and place it over medium heat on your stovetop. Add the lean ground beef to the hot skillet. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, break up the beef into small crumbles. Cook the beef thoroughly, stirring occasionally, until it’s completely browned and no pink remains. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Once the ground beef is fully cooked, it’s important to remove any excess grease from the skillet. You can do this by carefully tilting the skillet and spooning out the rendered fat, or by draining it through a colander. This step prevents the enchiladas from becoming overly greasy. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder, ensuring the beef is well coated. Then, add ½ cup of the red enchilada sauce and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese has melted and the mixture is well combined and creamy. This creates a rich and flavorful filling for your enchiladas.
Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by greasing it generously with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the enchiladas from sticking and make cleanup easier. Pour another ½ cup of the red enchilada sauce onto the bottom of the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with the back of a spoon. This layer of sauce helps keep the tortillas moist and adds flavor from the base.
For the tortillas, it’s crucial to warm them before rolling. Wrap a stack of corn tortillas (about 5-6 at a time) in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 1-2 minutes, or until they are hot and pliable. Warming the tortillas makes them flexible and prevents them from cracking or tearing when you roll them, which is a common issue with corn tortillas.
Now, it’s time to assemble your enchiladas! Take one warmed corn tortilla and scoop a generous spoonful (about 2-3 tablespoons) of the ground beef mixture down the center. Carefully roll up the tortilla, enclosing the filling. Place the rolled enchilada seam-side down into the prepared baking dish. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and beef mixture, arranging them snugly in a single layer in the baking dish. You might need to use a slightly larger dish or two smaller ones depending on the size of your tortillas and how many you make.
Once all of the enchiladas are neatly arranged in the dish, pour the remainder of the red enchilada sauce evenly over the tops. Make sure all the tortillas are well covered to keep them from drying out during baking. Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the sauce-covered enchiladas. This creates that wonderfully bubbly, golden-brown crust we all love.
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden at the edges, and the sauce is heated through. The aroma filling your kitchen will be incredible! Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the enchiladas to set slightly, making them easier to scoop. Then, enjoy these delicious enchiladas with your favorite side dishes and toppings!
Storing and Reheating Your Beef Enchilada Casserole:
These ground beef enchiladas are just as delicious the next day! To store leftover enchiladas, first allow them to cool down completely to room temperature. This is crucial to prevent condensation and maintain quality. Once cooled, you have a couple of options: either place a lid securely on the casserole dish or cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store the covered dish in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For reheating, individual portions can be microwaved until heated through, or the entire casserole can be reheated in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covered, until warm. If reheating in the oven, you might want to add a splash of extra enchilada sauce to keep it moist.
Expert Tips & Customization Ideas for Your Enchiladas:
One of the best things about enchiladas is how versatile they are! Here are some tips and tricks to elevate your homemade enchiladas or tailor them to your specific tastes:
Protein Variations for Your Homemade Enchiladas:
While ground beef is a classic choice, don’t hesitate to experiment with other proteins to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences. If you’re looking for a lighter option, lean ground turkey or ground chicken would also be fantastic choices. Both cook similarly to ground beef and absorb the seasonings beautifully. For a vegetarian option, consider using black beans, sautéed mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat substitute. Just remember to adjust cooking times accordingly and season generously!
Irresistible Topping Suggestions to Serve with Enchiladas:
The right toppings can truly transform your enchiladas from great to extraordinary. Offer a variety of fresh and creamy options to let everyone customize their plate:
- Red onion: Finely diced red onion adds a sharp, fresh crunch and a pop of color.
- Fresh cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro brightens the dish with its distinctive herbaceous flavor.
- Sour cream: A dollop of cool, creamy sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option) balances the richness and spice.
- Salsa: Your favorite store-bought or homemade salsa adds an extra layer of tomato-y, spicy goodness.
- Pico de Gallo: A fresh salsa made with chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño offers a vibrant and zesty kick.
- Sliced avocado or guacamole: For a creamy, rich texture and healthy fats.
- Pickled jalapeños: If you love a little extra heat and tang!
More Flavorful Swaps and Additions:
Feel free to get creative with your enchiladas to match your personal taste:
- Tortilla Preference: While corn tortillas offer a traditional flavor and hold up well, you can absolutely use flour tortillas if you prefer a softer, less earthy texture. Just remember that flour tortillas might not need as much warming as corn tortillas to become pliable.
- Heat Level: To add a bit more spice and warmth, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few red pepper flakes to the ground beef filling along with the other seasonings. You can also add finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers for fresh heat.
- Sauce Variety: Don’t limit yourself to red enchilada sauce! Swap it out for green enchilada sauce (salsa verde) for a completely different flavor profile. Green sauce typically offers a brighter, tangier taste, often with a subtle kick from tomatillos and green chiles.
- Vegetable Boost: Enhance the nutritional value and texture by adding finely diced bell peppers, zucchini, or corn to the ground beef mixture while it cooks.
- Bean Power: Mix in a can of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans with the ground beef filling for extra fiber and heartiness.
Discover More Family-Favorite Beef Recipes:
If you loved these ground beef enchiladas, you’ll definitely want to explore more delicious and easy beef recipes from our collection. These dishes are perfect for family dinners and are designed to be both simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying:
- Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper: A classic comfort food made even better and easier!
- Cheeseburger Hash Brown Casserole: All the flavors of a cheeseburger in a convenient, hearty casserole.
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: An effortless way to enjoy a takeout favorite at home.
- 3 Ingredient Taco Mac: A super quick and simple meal that’s big on flavor.
Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 20 oz red enchilada sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 15 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat. Break up the beef with a spatula and continue cooking until it is fully browned and no pink remains.
- Once the beef is cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet. Return the beef to the heat, then stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Add ½ cup of the red enchilada sauce and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is well combined.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour ½ cup of the remaining enchilada sauce onto the bottom of the pan and spread it out evenly to coat.
- To make the tortillas pliable and prevent cracking, wrap a few corn tortillas at a time in a wet paper towel. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until they are hot and flexible.
- Take one warmed tortilla and scoop a generous spoonful of the ground beef mixture into the center. Roll up the tortilla and place it seam-side down into the prepared baking dish. Continue this process until all tortillas are filled and arranged in the dish. Once all enchiladas are made, pour the remainder of the red enchilada sauce evenly over the tops, ensuring they are well covered. Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over everything.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Let rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite sides and toppings!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. It does not account for specific brands or variations in ingredients used.
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