Tangy Homemade Beef Enchiladas Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting delectable beef enchiladas sparks joy in every home kitchen adventure.

Warm tortillas wrapped around seasoned meat create magic on dinner plates.

Memories of mexican cuisine dance through each carefully rolled bundle.

Spices whisper stories of traditional flavors waiting to unfold.

Cheese melts into rich, comforting layers that promise satisfaction.

Home cooks can easily master this delightful dish with confidence.

Beef Enchiladas That Keep Winning Fans

• Boost Weeknight Dinners: Whip up these beef enchiladas in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy families craving delicious Mexican-inspired comfort food.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Requires simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all experience levels.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Customizable with optional toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or chopped green onions, ensuring everyone at the table finds something they love.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: One-pan cooking method and straightforward ingredients mean less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a tasty meal together.

Beef Enchiladas Full Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base for the enchiladas, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat mixture, fresh and crisp is best.
• Garlic: Provides robust flavor foundation, choose fresh cloves for most intense taste.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika: Create complex, warm Mexican-style flavor profile, pre-ground spices work perfectly.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall taste, freshly ground black pepper recommended.

• Red Enchilada Sauce: Provides moisture and authentic sauce flavor, canned sauce offers convenient option.
• Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese: Delivers creamy, melty texture, shredded cheese melts most evenly.
• Flour Tortillas: Soft wrapper for enchiladas, 6-inch size ensures perfect portion control.
• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and prevents sticking, extra virgin olive oil adds subtle flavor.

• Sour Cream, Cilantro, Diced Tomatoes: Fresh garnishes that add color, tang, and brightness to finished dish.

Instructions for Beef Enchiladas

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and get ready for some serious flavor magic.

Step 2: Sizzle the Protein

Grab a skillet and drizzle in olive oil.

Toss in ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic.

Cook until the beef transforms into a rich, golden-brown masterpiece.

Step 3: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let these spices dance together for 1-2 minutes, creating an aroma that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Base

Pour a splash of enchilada sauce into the skillet and mix with the beef.

Kill the heat and set aside.

Step 5: Prepare the Baking Dish

Spread a generous layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 6: Roll the Enchiladas

• Scoop in the spicy beef mixture
• Sprinkle cheese generously
• Roll tightly like a delicious sleeping bag
• Place seam-side down in the baking dish

Step 7: Final Sauce and Cheese Layer

Drench the rolled tortillas with remaining enchilada sauce and rain down the rest of the cheese.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your masterpiece, let it cool slightly, and top with your favorite garnishes.

Dive in and savor every bite!

Step-by-Step Tips for Beef Enchiladas That Don’t Fall Apart

• Adjust chili powder and cumin to match your heat preference, from mild to fiery hot.
• Brown beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich taste and prevent watery texture.
• Use a blend of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for maximum melting and complex flavor profile.
• Warm tortillas briefly before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
• Top with chopped cilantro, diced onions, or fresh salsa just before serving for added brightness and texture.

Store Beef Enchiladas And Warm Properly

• Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual enchiladas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover enchiladas with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

What Matches Beef Enchiladas Best

• Pair with Crisp Mexican Lager: Select a light, refreshing beer like Modelo Especial or Dos Equis to cut through the rich, spicy beef enchiladas and cleanse the palate.
• Complement with Fresh Pico de Gallo: Prepare a zesty homemade pico de gallo with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to add bright, tangy freshness that balances the hearty enchiladas.
• Serve with Creamy Guacamole: Whip up a smooth guacamole using ripe avocados, minced garlic, diced onions, lime juice, and salt to provide a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, spicy dish.
• Enhance with Mexican Rice: Cook a side of fluffy Mexican rice seasoned with tomato sauce, garlic, and cumin to soak up the enchilada sauce and complete the authentic meal experience.

Beef Enchiladas Served in Saucy Custom Styles

• Chicken Enchiladas: Swap ground beef with shredded chicken breast for a lighter protein option. Season chicken with same spices and follow identical preparation steps.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas: Replace beef with black beans and sautéed bell peppers. Add extra cumin and chili powder for robust flavor profile. Use vegetable enchilada sauce for complete plant-based meal.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas: Substitute tortillas with thinly sliced zucchini strips as wrapping. Maintain original beef mixture and cheese amounts. Perfect for keto and gluten-free diets.
• Turkey Enchiladas: Use lean ground turkey instead of beef. Reduce cooking fat and maintain similar seasoning blend. Great alternative for health-conscious individuals seeking lower-fat protein option.

FAQs

• What type of ground beef works best for this recipe?

Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor and juiciness. Leaner meats can make the filling dry, while this ratio provides great taste and moisture.

• Can I make the beef mixture ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the beef filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps develop deeper flavors and makes assembly faster.

• Do I need to warm the tortillas before rolling?

Briefly warming tortillas in a skillet or microwave makes them more flexible and prevents cracking when rolling. Heat them for about 10-15 seconds to make folding easier.

• How can I prevent my enchiladas from becoming soggy?

Don’t oversaturate the tortillas with sauce. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish and use just enough sauce to coat the rolled enchiladas without drowning them.

Beef Enchiladas Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican cuisine shines through this hearty Beef Enchiladas masterpiece, promising a flavor-packed journey of spicy, savory goodness. Wrapped in warm tortillas and smothered in rich sauce, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this comforting classic that brings authentic southwestern warmth to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
• 8 flour tortillas (6-inch size)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Toppings:

• sour cream
• chopped cilantro
• diced tomatoes

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the enchiladas.
2. In a sizzling skillet, drizzle olive oil and introduce ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until the meat transforms into a rich, golden-brown landscape.
3. Awaken the beef mixture with a vibrant dance of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Allow the spices to intermingle and develop depth for 1-2 minutes.
4. Infuse a splash of enchilada sauce into the skillet, creating a harmonious blend with the seasoned beef. Gently remove from heat.
5. Craft a delicate sauce foundation in a 9×13-inch baking vessel, spreading a thin layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom.
6. Lovingly cradle each tortilla with the spiced beef, sprinkle a generous cascade of cheese, and roll into neat parcels. Nestle these bundles seam-side down in the prepared dish.
7. Cascade the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, creating a luxurious blanket, and crown with a final snowfall of cheese.
8. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the enchiladas to transform for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden landscape.
9. Extract from the oven, let the enchiladas rest momentarily, and present with an array of vibrant, complementary toppings.

Notes

• Optimize meat moisture by using lean ground beef and draining excess fat to prevent soggy enchiladas.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and adding diced jalapeños for extra kick or reducing spices for milder taste.
• Explore protein alternatives like shredded chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based crumbles for dietary variations and different flavor profiles.
• Enhance tortilla texture by lightly warming them before filling to prevent cracking and improve rolling consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg