Ground Beef Enchiladas are the perfect solution when you’re craving a comforting, flavorful meal that comes together quickly. This easy recipe combines seasoned ground beef with melted cheese and warm tortillas, drenched in rich enchilada sauce to deliver a family-friendly dinner that everyone will adore. Whether you’re cooking for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings, these enchiladas promise to satisfy hungry appetites and become a staple in your recipe rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for hectic evenings.
- Family Favorite: Mildly spiced and cheesy, appealing to kids and adults alike.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Great for making ahead and reheating without losing flavor.
- Customizable: Simple to tweak with different veggies, cheeses, or spice levels.
- One-Dish Delight: Everything bakes together, so cleanup is a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this ground beef enchiladas recipe plays a key role in balancing savory flavors and adding rich textures. From the seasoned beef to the creamy cheese and vibrant sauce, these essentials make the dish a complete and harmonious meal.
- Ground Beef: Choose lean beef (85% lean) for a juicy yet healthy base.
- Enchilada Sauce: Use your favorite canned or homemade sauce for deep flavor.
- Flour or Corn Tortillas: Soft tortillas that wrap the filling perfectly without cracking.
- Shredded Cheese: A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack melts beautifully.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with the beef.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic enhances the savory seasoning.
- Chili Powder and Cumin: Provide authentic Mexican-inspired warmth.
- Salt and Pepper: Elevate all the flavors harmoniously.
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream, fresh cilantro, and diced avocado for freshness.
Variations for Ground Beef Enchiladas
This ground beef enchiladas recipe is wonderfully adaptable, letting you swap ingredients or add extras to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing the essence of the dish.
- Vegetable Boost: Add sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, or corn for extra color and nutrition.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños or chipotle powder for a bolder flavor.
- Cheese Swap: Try queso fresco or pepper jack for a different melty cheese twist.
- Low-Carb Option: Use low-carb tortillas or large grilled lettuce leaves for wraps.
- Ground Turkey: Substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein alternative.
How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant. Then, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as you go. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, blending the spices evenly for a rich, flavorful filling.
Step 2: Warm the Tortillas
Softening the tortillas helps prevent cracking when rolling. Briefly warm them in a dry pan or microwave wrapped in a damp towel until pliable and easy to fold.
Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of your baking dish to keep the enchiladas moist. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, sprinkle with shredded cheese, then roll it up tightly. Arrange the rolled tortillas seam-side down in the dish.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas, then scatter more cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Pro Tips for Making Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Use Fresh Spices: Fresh chili powder and cumin elevate flavor more than old spices.
- Drain Excess Fat: After cooking ground beef, drain fat to avoid soggy enchiladas.
- Don’t Overfill: Keep filling moderate to prevent tortillas from splitting.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the dish the night before and refrigerate for an easy bake tomorrow.
- Let Rest Before Serving: Allow the enchiladas to rest 5 minutes post-baking for easier slicing.
How to Serve Ground Beef Enchiladas
Garnishes
Brighten your enchiladas with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkles of fresh cilantro, and diced avocado for creamy contrast and fresh flavors.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad to round out your dinner beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the enchiladas in individual ramekins for a personalized touch at gatherings, or add a drizzle of homemade guacamole or salsa verde for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool enchiladas completely before placing them in an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for up to 3 days, making for delicious next-day meals.
Freezing
Wrap the assembled but unbaked enchiladas tightly with plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) wrapped in foil to retain moisture, or microwave on medium power, covered, until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas add authentic flavor but be gentle when rolling as they can be more fragile; warming them well helps prevent breaking.
How spicy are these ground beef enchiladas?
The base recipe is mild, perfect for families, but you can easily add spices like cayenne or jalapeños to increase heat.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, beans, or a plant-based meat alternative for a delicious vegetarian option.
What kind of cheese works best?
A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack offers great meltiness and flavor, but feel free to experiment with your favorites like queso fresco or pepper jack.
Is it possible to freeze leftover enchiladas after baking?
It’s best to freeze before baking for optimal texture, but you can freeze leftovers after baking as well; just note that the texture of the cheese may change slightly upon reheating.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like homemade ground beef enchiladas to bring everyone to the table with smiles and full bellies. This recipe is not just easy and tasty but also wonderfully flexible to fit your family’s preferences or pantry staples. Dive in and whip up a batch soon—you’ll be amazed at how quickly this classic dish becomes a cherished favorite!
Related Posts
- Why Roasted Pumpkin Quiche Is Perfect This Fall
- Easy Ground turkey with potatoes Recipe Ideas
- Irresistible Honey Garlic Sausage Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using corn tortillas)
Description
Ground Beef Enchiladas are a quick, comforting, and flavorful meal featuring seasoned lean ground beef, melted cheese, and soft tortillas drenched in rich enchilada sauce. Easy to prepare in under 45 minutes, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Customizable with various veggies, cheeses, and spice levels, it’s a versatile one-dish meal that’s reliably delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Enchiladas
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (canned or homemade)
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown thoroughly, breaking apart as it cooks. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until spices are well blended, creating a rich and flavorful filling.
- Warm the Tortillas: Briefly warm the tortillas in a dry pan or microwave wrapped in a damp towel until pliable and easy to roll without cracking.
- Assemble the Enchiladas: Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a baking dish to keep enchiladas moist. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, sprinkle with shredded cheese, then roll tightly. Arrange the rolled enchiladas seam-side down in the dish.
- Top and Bake: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle additional cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use fresh chili powder and cumin for the best flavor impact.
- Drain excess fat from cooked ground beef to prevent soggy enchiladas.
- Do not overfill tortillas to avoid splitting.
- Assemble the dish the night before and refrigerate for easy next-day baking.
- Let enchiladas rest 5 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 enchilada
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg