Description
These Ground Beef Enchiladas offer a deliciously hearty and comforting Mexican-inspired meal, featuring seasoned ground beef rolled in warm tortillas, topped with melty cheddar cheese and enchilada sauce, then baked to perfection. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, they can be customized with cilantro, jalapeños, and sour cream to add extra flavor and zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet enchilada seasoning mix
- 1 cup water
Tortillas and Toppings
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
- Sliced jalapeños for serving (optional)
- Cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the enchiladas.
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to soften.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary for a leaner dish.
- Simmer with Seasoning: Stir in the enchilada seasoning mix and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Warm Tortillas: Warm the tortillas briefly in a dry skillet or microwave to make them pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble Enchiladas: Spread a couple of tablespoons of the beef mixture down the center of each warmed tortilla. Sprinkle a portion of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef. Roll each tortilla tightly and place seam side down in a greased baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Once all enchiladas are arranged in the dish, pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the sauce.
- Bake: Bake the enchiladas uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with optional sour cream and sliced jalapeños on the side for added flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- Corn tortillas make this recipe gluten-free.
- Add black beans or corn to the beef mixture to increase fiber and add texture.
- Include diced green chiles or hot sauce in the beef filling for extra spiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
