The Creamiest Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe for Taco Night

Mexican cuisine bursts with flavor in these mouthwatering ground beef enchiladas that promise a delightful dinner experience.

Spices dance through tender meat wrapped in soft tortillas, creating a comforting meal everyone will love.

Layers of rich sauce and melted cheese bring depth to each carefully crafted bite.

Home kitchens can easily recreate this classic dish with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

Seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike will appreciate the straightforward technique and robust flavors.

Gathering around the table becomes an exciting moment when these aromatic enchiladas emerge steaming and golden.

Savor each bite and let the authentic Mexican-inspired recipe transport you to a culinary adventure that satisfies both hunger and soul.

Ground Beef Enchiladas With Bold Flavor In Every Bite

• Quick Family Dinner Delight: Perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under 45 minutes, satisfying hungry families with minimal prep work.
• Customizable Flavor Explosion: Easily adaptable recipe where home cooks can swap ingredients, adjust spice levels, or add extra toppings like sour cream or cilantro for personalized taste.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Classic Mexican-inspired dish that appeals to both kids and adults, offering hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty enchilada sauce that everyone will love.
• Budget-Friendly Meal Option: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, tortillas, and pantry spices, making it an economical choice for feeding multiple people without breaking the bank.

Everything That Makes Up Ground Beef Enchiladas

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty meat that forms the base of the enchilada filling, best when lean for less grease.

• Soft Taco Flour Tortillas, King Corn Tortillas: Flexible wrap for holding the filling, flour provides softness while corn offers traditional Mexican flavor.

• Onion, Green Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that add crunch, sweetness, and depth to the meat filling.
• Garlic Cloves: Aromatic ingredient that provides robust flavor and enhances overall taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the dish's taste.

• Mexican Cheese: Melty, flavorful cheese that creates a creamy, golden-brown top layer, adds richness and authentic Mexican character.

Ground Beef Enchiladas How To Assemble

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F for the perfect baking environment.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet and cook over medium heat.

Break the meat into crumbly bits and drain away any extra fat.

Step 3: Sizzle the Veggie Mix

• Chopped onions
• Diced green bell peppers
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook until vegetables turn soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Create the Cheesy Filling

Sprinkle in Mexican cheese blend and remove the skillet from heat.

Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Whip Up the Enchilada Sauce

In a saucepan, heat canola oil and quickly stir in flour.

Let it cook for a minute to develop flavor.

Step 6: Build the Sauce Depth

• Tomato paste
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Chili powder
• Water

Simmer the sauce until it thickens beautifully.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Prepare the Baking Dish

Spread a light layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of your baking dish.

Step 8: Roll the Enchiladas

Fill tortillas with the beef mixture, roll them up tightly, and nestle them seam-side down in the sauce-lined dish.

Step 9: Final Flavor Boost

Pour remaining sauce over the rolled enchiladas and shower with extra cheese.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Look for bubbly edges and melted cheese as your delicious signal.

Smart Advice for Ground Beef Enchiladas

• Remove as much grease as possible from ground beef to prevent soggy enchiladas and reduce excess oil.
• Mix different cheese varieties like cheddar and monterey jack for a more complex, rich flavor profile.
• Adjust water in enchilada sauce to achieve desired thickness – less water for thicker sauce, more for a lighter texture.
• Briefly heat tortillas in microwave or skillet to prevent cracking and make them more pliable for easier rolling.
• Select ground beef with lower fat percentage (85/15 or 90/10) for healthier enchiladas without compromising taste.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Storage Tips That Work

• 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. Frozen enchiladas maintain quality for up to 2 months.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed enchiladas at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• For quick reheating, place enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.

Try These with Ground Beef Enchiladas

• Enhance Mexican Fiesta Flavor Pairings
• Pair Refreshing Margaritas: Zesty lime cocktail cuts through rich beef and cheese, balancing spicy enchilada flavors with cool citrus notes.
• Select Fresh Cilantro Salad: Bright, herbaceous green salad with lime vinaigrette provides crisp contrast to heavy enchilada texture and adds nutritious side.
• Serve Cool Mexican Crema: Creamy, tangy sauce drizzled on top creates smooth counterpoint to spicy chili powder and adds luxurious finishing touch to dish.
• Complement with Mexican Lager Beer: Light, crisp beer like Modelo or Corona helps cleanse palate between bites and matches robust ground beef profile perfectly.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Twists

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu for a protein-packed meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap tortillas with lettuce wraps or large cabbage leaves to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free flour for the sauce and corn tortillas to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or increase chili powder for those who love extra heat in their enchiladas.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this enchilada recipe. Just ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned similarly to the ground beef.

• How spicy are these enchiladas?

These enchiladas have a mild to moderate heat level from the chili powder. If you prefer more heat, you can add extra chili powder or include diced jalapeños in the beef mixture.

• Do I need fresh tortillas?

While fresh tortillas are ideal, standard store-bought corn or flour tortillas work well. Warm them slightly before rolling to prevent cracking and make them more pliable.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef mixture and enchilada sauce in advance. Assemble the enchiladas just before baking, or you can fully prepare and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican comfort meets culinary magic in these ground beef enchiladas, packed with robust flavors and zesty spices. Cheese-draped and oven-baked, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this hearty southwestern classic that brings warmth to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Tortillas and Cheese:

• 8 soft taco flour tortillas or king corn tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded

Seasonings:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F, preparing for a flavorful Mexican-inspired meal.
2. In a robust skillet, transform the ground beef into a rich, caramelized protein by cooking over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat.
3. Introduce aromatic companions – finely diced onion, crisp green bell pepper, minced garlic, with a sprinkle of salt and black pepper – allowing these ingredients to meld and soften together.
4. Integrate a generous handful of shredded Mexican cheese into the meat mixture, then remove from heat, creating a creamy, savory filling.
5. Craft the enchilada sauce by heating canola oil and whisking in flour, creating a golden roux that will thicken the sauce beautifully.
6. Elevate the sauce with tomato paste, warm cumin, earthy oregano, vibrant chili powder, and water, simmering until the consistency becomes luxuriously smooth and rich.
7. Prepare the baking dish with a delicate layer of the freshly made enchilada sauce, creating a flavorful foundation.
8. Lovingly fill each tortilla with the spiced beef mixture, rolling them into neat parcels and nestling them seam-side down in the sauced dish.
9. Lavish the enchiladas with the remaining sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then crown with an additional layer of melting cheese.
10. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing the enchiladas to transform for 20 minutes until bubbling and the cheese becomes gloriously golden and molten.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting chili powder or adding hot sauce for spice lovers who crave an extra kick.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier alternative that’s equally delicious.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the meat mixture for extra vegetables and flavor complexity.
• Prepare enchilada sauce in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days, making weeknight meal preparation faster and more convenient.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg