Description
This Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe offers a delicious and satisfying Mexican-inspired main course featuring seasoned ground beef, melted Mexican blend cheese, and flavorful enchilada sauce wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, these enchiladas are quick to prepare, customizable, and bake to bubbly cheesy perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies (optional)
For Assembly
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cook the Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the filling from being greasy.
- Season the Beef Mixture: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, the diced green chilies (if using), and 1/2 cup of the red enchilada sauce. Mix well to combine all the flavors, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm the tortillas slightly to make them pliable, either in a microwave wrapped in a damp cloth or on a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side.
- Assemble the Enchiladas: Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture into the center of each tortilla, sprinkle with a little shredded cheese, then roll tightly. Place each rolled tortilla seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat until all tortillas are filled and placed in the dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top for a bubbly cheesy crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the baked enchiladas with chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a burst of fresh color and flavor.
Notes
- Use either store-bought or homemade enchilada sauce to suit your preference.
- Add chopped jalapeños to the beef filling for an extra spicy kick.
- These enchiladas freeze well; assemble, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and freeze before baking for convenient meal prep.
- Using corn tortillas makes this dish gluten-free; ensure the sauce and other ingredients are also gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
