For Mexican Monday, when you need a quick but tasty dinner idea, make these easy ground beef enchiladas. Get all the flavors of enchiladas in just minutes with this simple recipe.
Our entire family goes crazy over Easy Mexican Recipes and you can’t go wrong with enchiladas. It’s very quick and easy to make this easy beef recipe, which makes it great for busy weeknights and Cinco de Mayo.
Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that is beloved for its bold flavors, customizable fillings, and cheesy deliciousness. While there are many variations, ground beef enchiladas made with corn tortillas are an all-time favorite. The savory seasoned beef filling pairs perfectly with the hearty corn tortillas that can stand up to the rich red enchilada sauce. Topped off with gooey melted cheese, these beef enchiladas are irresistible!
In this article, I’ll walk you through the easy step-by-step process for how to make incredible ground beef enchiladas at home. I’ll also share plenty of tips and tricks for perfect beef enchiladas every time. Read on to learn all my secrets!
Ingredients Needed for Ground Beef Enchiladas
While the ingredients for beef enchiladas are pretty simple, using the right ones makes a big difference in the flavor and texture of the dish. Here’s what you’ll need
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Ground Beef – I recommend using 85% lean ground beef for the best balance of flavor and fat content. You can use a leaner beef if desired.
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Onion and Garlic – Sautéing these aromatics in oil builds a flavor base for the beef.
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Spices – Most recipes call for taco seasoning and extra cumin for flavor. Homemade taco seasoning is best!
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Corn Tortillas – These hold up better to the sauce than flour tortillas Look for 6-inch size
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Enchilada Sauce – Use canned red enchilada sauce for ease I like Las Palmas brand.
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Cheese – Shredded Mexican blend or cheddar Jack works great. Grated is best.
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Toppings – Options like sour cream, avocado, cilantro, etc. customize your enchiladas.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Beef Enchiladas
Follow these simple steps for amazing enchiladas every time:
Cook the Ground Beef
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion in oil for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
- Drain excess grease from the beef.
- Stir in taco seasoning and cumin and cook 1 minute more.
Soften the Corn Tortillas
- Wrap tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave 60-90 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Alternatively, you can fry them quickly in oil.
Fill the Enchiladas
- Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Lay a tortilla on a flat surface and place 2-3 Tbsp beef mixture down the center.
- Top with shredded cheese, then roll up.
- Place seam-side down in casserole dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Finish Enchiladas
- Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.
- Sprinkle with more cheese.
- Bake at 350°F uncovered 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with desired toppings.
And that’s it – easy peasy! The key is taking the extra time to prep the components, then assembly is a breeze.
Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Enchiladas
With this easy recipe, you’ll have delicious enchiladas any night of the week! Use these handy tips for enchiladas that look and taste gourmet:
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Cook beef just until browned, not overcooked. It will finish cooking when baked.
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Drain fat from beef well so enchiladas aren’t greasy.
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Make sure tortillas are warm and pliable so they roll up without cracking.
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Don’t overfill tortillas or they won’t close properly.
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Use a combo of sauce on the tortilla and on top to prevent dryness.
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Sprinkle cheese evenly over enchiladas and avoid overloading sauce.
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Bake uncovered at 350°F to melt cheese without burning tortillas.
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Let baked enchiladas rest before serving so flavors meld.
Customize Your Enchiladas
The great thing about enchiladas is how versatile they are. Switch up the flavors by using these creative ideas:
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Substitute ground turkey or chicken for lower-fat option
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Mix beans into beef filling for extra protein
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Add veggies like spinach, corn, zucchini to filling
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Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro for fresh flavor
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Use Monterey jack, pepper jack, or Mexican cheese blends
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Make green enchiladas with tomatillo salsa verde sauce
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For smoky flavor, add chipotle peppers to red enchilada sauce
With endless possibilities, you’ll never get bored with enchiladas!
Serving Suggestions for Beef Enchiladas
Enchiladas are commonly served with Spanish rice and refried beans as a complete meal. But you can also pair them with a variety of delicious sides:
- Mexican Street Corn
- Cheesy Corn Casserole
- Black Beans and Rice
- Charro Beans
- Esquites
- Lime Cilantro Rice
- Avocado Salad
A fresh side salad or crunchy tortilla chips and guacamole also make great accompaniments.
For an easy weeknight meal, serve beef enchiladas with microwavable Mexican rice and black beans. Or go all out with from-scratch sides when feeding a crowd.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Enchiladas
Like many baked casseroles, beef enchiladas store and reheat very well. Here are some tips:
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Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or oven at 350°F.
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Let enchiladas cool fully before freezing.
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Freeze in a casserole dish tightly covered in heavy foil for up to 3 months.
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For longer freezing, portion enchiladas into meal-size containers.
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Thaw frozen enchiladas overnight in fridge before reheating.
With some simple planning, you can enjoy quick leftover enchiladas or prepare a freezer meal ahead of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making beef enchiladas:
What’s the difference between corn and flour tortillas for enchiladas?
Corn tortillas are commonly used and hold up better to the sauce. But flour tortillas work too if that’s your preference.
Can I prepare enchiladas ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them completely raw or cooked, then cover and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.
What’s the best way to soften corn tortillas?
Microwaving 5-10 seconds per tortilla works well. You can also fry them quickly.
How do I prevent enchiladas from getting dry?
Use sauce on the tortillas before filling and pouring more on top. Melted cheese also keeps them moist.
What’s the difference between enchiladas and burritos?
Burritos feature flour tortillas rolled around fillings. Enchiladas use corn tortillas baked with sauce on top.
Can I freeze cooked enchiladas?
Absolutely! Let them cool fully first, then tightly wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
An Enchilada Lover’s Dream Recipe
Loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and smothered in flavorful enchilada sauce, this recipe produces phenomenal enchiladas everyone will love. Following the step-by-step instructions, you’ll earn rave reviews from family and friends.
Make a batch on a weekend to reheat throughout the week for easy dinners. Customize them to please your personal tastes or the preferences of your diners. And be sure to take advantage of the freezer-friendly instructions!
What Kind of Enchilada Sauce Should I Use?
We used red enchilada sauce. My kids prefer this type.
However, you can use green enchilada sauce to change the flavor up. I like them both!
You can use store bought or homemade enchilada sauce.
Why We Love This Recipe
This easy beef enchiladas is perfect for a weeknight meal or to feed a ground. The lean ground beef is mixed simple seasoning to create the best ground beef enchilada recipe.
The best way to eat these enchiladas is with Mexican rice and black beans made in a crock pot.
- We love making our own red enchilada sauce, but you can also buy it at the store.
- Taco Seasoning—You can use the Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe instead of the seasoning that is listed.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.