How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas: Easy Flavorful Recipe
Whip up this recipe for easy ground beef enchiladas complete with homemade red enchilada sauce. A meal the whole family is sure to enjoy for busy weeknights.
What Are Ground Beef Enchiladas?
Ground beef enchiladas are a classic Mexican-inspired dish. They feature soft tortillas filled with seasoned beef, covered in a rich enchilada sauce, and topped with melted cheese (one of the best parts).
These enchiladas are perfect for family dinners, or to use as meal prep for one. The bold flavors and gooey cheese make them a favorite comfort food. Plus, they are easy to make at home with simple ingredients so you don’t have to leave the house to make this meal.
Ingredients for Ground Beef Enchiladas
Here’s what you need to make the ground beef enchilada recipe:
For the Homemade Enchilada Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
For the Enchiladas:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 8 tortillas (corn or taco-size flour tortillas)
- 16 ounces shredded Colby jack cheese
- Green onion for garnish (optional)
- Toppings of your choice (Some ideas include pico de gallo, sliced bell peppers, a dollop of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, whatever you prefer!)
How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas
Let’s walk you through how to make this easy beef enchiladas recipe.
Make the Enchilada Sauce
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and chili powder. Stir for about 1 minute until the mixture darkens.
- Add sugar, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth.
- Cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Remove from heat.
Prepare the Beef Filling
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until browned.
- Drain excess grease/fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning and ¼ cup of water. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often.
Assemble the Enchiladas
- Scoop the ground beef mixture into the center of each tortilla.
- Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in a 9×13-inch baking or casserole dish.
- Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas.
- Sprinkle shredded Colby jack cheese over the top.
Bake the Enchiladas
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Feel free to add more of your favorite toppings.
To make this a complete meal, serve with mexican rice, a salad, and/or beans on the side!
Where to Serve These Enchiladas
These ground beef enchiladas are great for many occasions:
- Family Dinners – A filling meal everyone will love.
- Potlucks – Easy to transport and always a crowd-pleaser. Just be sure to double the recipe for a larger crowd! Or use street taco size tortillas for smaller portions.
- Game Night – Serve with chips and salsa for a fun meal.
- Meal Prep – Make ahead and reheat for quick lunches.
Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious twists:
- Spicy Enchiladas – Add diced jalapeños to the beef meat mixture.
- Chicken Enchiladas – Swap the ground beef for shredded rotisserie chicken or ground chicken.
- Vegetarian Option – Use refried beans or black beans instead of beef and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
- Cheesy Delight – Mix different cheeses like cheddar and pepper jack. I also love to use Mexican blend cheese too. Make these easy enchiladas even cheesier, by sprinkling a little shredded cheese over the enchilada filling before rolling up your tortillas.
Storing and Making Ahead
These enchiladas store well, making them great for meal prep:
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat – Bake at 350°F until heated through or microwave individual portions.
- Make Ahead – Assemble them without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Ingredients
Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
Enchiladas
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion peeled and diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 8 tortillas corn tortillas or taco-size flour tortillas
- 16 ounces shredded Colby jack cheese
- Green onion for garnish optional
- Other Toppings optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Whisk the flour and chili powder into the hot oil and cook for 1 minute, whisking often, until the mixture darkens in color.
- Add the sugar, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt and whisk until combined. Next, whisk in the tomato sauce and chicken broth.
- Cook the sauce on medium-low for 10 minutes until thickened, stirring often. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet, add the diced onion, and cook over medium heat until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning and ¼ cup water and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Scoop the seasoned meat into the center of the 8 tortillas. Roll the tortillas up and place them into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the enchilada sauce over top, then sprinkle the cheese over the sauce.
- Bake the enchiladas uncovered at 350 F until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve the enchiladas with sliced green onion and sour cream, if desired.
Notes
Storage: The leftover enchiladas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to three months.
Common Questions About Ground Beef Enchiladas
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes! Soft corn tortillas give a more traditional flavor and texture. Warm them before rolling to prevent cracking. Place them wrapped in damp paper towels and microwave for a few seconds.
What’s the best cheese for enchiladas?
Colby jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend work best for a melty, flavorful topping.
How do I prevent soggy enchiladas?
To avoid sogginess, lightly fry corn tortillas before rolling or reduce the amount of sauce.
Conclusion
Ground beef enchiladas are an easy, delicious meal that everyone will love. They are cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Try this recipe today and enjoy a comforting homemade dish. Let us know how they turned out in the comments!
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Hi there!
I’m Emily, a mom and wife with a passion for crafting, celebrating holidays, and creating memorable moments. From Idaho to the world, The Benson Street is a treasure trove of easy, fun DIY projects, delightful printables, and delicious recipes. With over a decade of experience in blogging and a love for all things seasonal, I’m here to share my tips, ideas, and occasional mishaps. Join me in adding a dash of joy and creativity to every day! Read more…
