Description
Spicy beef enchilada casserole brings Mexican comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of savory goodness. Melted cheese, tender beef, and zesty sauce create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 8 tortillas
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cooked rice
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) enchilada sauce
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding diced onions and classic southwestern spices like chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Break up the meat while cooking, ensuring it browns evenly and develops deep, rich flavors throughout the protein.
- Pour enchilada sauce into the skillet, integrating the cooked ground beef with the warm, tangy liquid and previously prepared rice.
- Create a foundational layer of soft tortillas across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a sturdy base for the casserole.
- Spread a generous portion of the seasoned beef and rice mixture directly over the tortilla layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle a hearty amount of shredded cheese across the beef layer, allowing it to melt and create a creamy, binding texture.
- Repeat the layering process with additional tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Cover the final layer with remaining cheese, creating a golden, bubbling topping.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and edges turn crispy.
- Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and cheese to set.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
- Toast tortillas briefly before layering to enhance their texture and prevent soggy casserole bottoms, creating a crispier overall dish.
- Include extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini in the beef mixture to boost nutritional value and add colorful, fresh dimensions to the casserole.
- Prepare rice with chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to infuse deeper, more complex flavors throughout the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg