If you’re looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s simple to make, this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe is a total winner. I absolutely love how the combination of seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and rich enchilada sauce comes together for that classic, irresistible flavor. Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping for a casual get-together, these enchiladas hit the spot every time.
What makes this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe stand out is just how approachable it is—you don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients or complicated steps. I like to keep the tortillas soft and flavorful by coating them liberally in sauce, which keeps everything moist and cheesy through baking. You’ll find that this recipe is as forgiving as it is delicious, perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to make a dish ahead and reheat later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find items you probably already have on hand.
- Big Flavor: The taco seasoning and enchilada sauce create a perfect spice balance that everyone loves.
- Family Friendly: Mild enough for kids but easily customizable if you want a little more heat.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Great for freezing and reheating, which saves time on busy days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a key role in building the delicious layers of this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe. Choosing the right type of beef, seasoning, and cheese will really set you up for success here, so let me share a few shopping tips with you.
- Ground Beef: I prefer 80/20 for a good balance of flavor and moisture without too much grease.
- White Onion: Diced finely to meld into the beef mixture and add gentle sweetness.
- Taco Seasoning: Using a packet or homemade blend, it packs in flavor fast.
- Water: To help the seasoning evenly coat the meat and create a slightly saucy mix inside the tortillas.
- Flour or Corn Tortillas: I like soft taco-size ones — flour tortillas tend to roll better without cracking.
- Enchilada Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade, but make sure it’s rich and flavorful! This coats everything beautifully.
- Marbled Cheddar Cheese: The sharpness and melty texture are key to that gooey, crowd-pleasing finish.
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream, pico de gallo, diced avocado, and green onions add freshness and texture.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste or dietary needs. I encourage you to get creative—you can make it your own and still keep it simple.
- Spicy Kick: I often add a little diced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne to the beef mixture for some heat; my family goes crazy for it.
- Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack or a Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar for extra flavor depth.
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute ground beef with seasoned black beans or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty meatless option.
- Using Corn Tortillas: If you go the corn route, briefly warm and wrap them in a damp cloth to prevent cracking when rolling—this trick saved my first few attempts!
How to Make Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef with Onions
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and add your ground beef along with the diced white onion. Cook, breaking the beef up with a spatula, until it’s browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. I always drain excess fat at this point to keep the dish from getting greasy. Then, sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Stir well and cook another 2 minutes until that seasoning is fully absorbed—this gives the beef a juicy, flavorful coating.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish
Next, spread about half a cup of enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. This layer prevents sticking and ensures each enchilada is soaked in saucy goodness from the start.
Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Lay out your tortillas and spoon roughly 1/3 cup of the seasoned beef mixture in a straight line down the center of each. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese on top of the beef, then roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the dish. Keep repeating until the dish is full. If you have leftover beef, sprinkle it evenly over the top.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, making sure every one is coated well. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the cheese on top. Bake in your preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden around the edges.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, add your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, diced avocado, or chopped green onions for that fresh kick. Serve immediately and enjoy the cheers from your diners!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
- Drain the Beef Well: Removing excess fat keeps the filling rich but not greasy, balancing the texture perfectly.
- Don’t Skip the Sauce Layer: Spreading sauce on the pan before assembling prevents sticking and adds saucy flavor to every bite.
- Roll Tightly: Tightly rolled tortillas hold their shape better and avoid spills in the dish — trust me, it’s worth the little effort.
- Warm Tortillas Slightly: Wrapping tortillas in a damp towel and warming them for 20 seconds makes rolling easier and prevents cracking.
How to Serve Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with a dollop of sour cream — it adds cool creaminess that cuts the spice nicely. Fresh pico de gallo brightens the dish with tang and texture, and diced avocado brings that buttery smoothness I can’t get enough of. A sprinkle of chopped green onions gives a mild oniony crunch that perfectly balances the rich cheese and beef.
Side Dishes
Rice and refried beans always feel like classic companions to enchiladas in my house, but a fresh green salad with a zesty lime dressing is a lovely lighter option too. For a heartier meal, try serving with Mexican street corn or roasted veggies tossed in chili powder and lime.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to bake these enchiladas in individual ramekins for a beautiful personal presentation. Another fun idea is stacking layers of tortilla, beef, cheese, and sauce in a deep dish like a savory Mexican lasagna — it’s a guaranteed hit at dinner parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. These enchiladas actually get better after a day when the flavors have had more time to meld. They last about 3-4 days refrigerated, making great lunches or quick dinners later in the week.
Freezing
I love that you can make this Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe ahead of time and freeze it. Just cover the unbaked dish tightly with foil and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen with the foil still on for about 40-45 minutes, then uncover and finish baking another 5 minutes until bubbly. It’s a real time-saver on busy nights.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat leftover enchiladas is in the oven at 350°F, covered loosely with foil, to bring back that ooey-gooey melted cheese without drying it out. Microwave works in a pinch, but it can sometimes make the tortillas tough, so I reserve that for quick lunches.
FAQs
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Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works well in this recipe if you want a leaner option. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly and season well, as turkey can be a bit milder in flavor compared to beef.
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Do I have to use pre-made enchilada sauce?
Nope! You can make your own enchilada sauce if you prefer. A simple blend of tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic, and cumin works well and allows you to customize the spice level perfectly.
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How do I prevent tortillas from cracking when rolling?
Warming tortillas briefly wrapped in a damp cloth softens them and makes rolling much easier without cracking. Also, avoid overfilling the tortillas to keep them intact.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap ground beef with seasoned beans, lentils, or sautéed veggies for a delicious vegetarian version. Just adjust seasoning and moisture as needed.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe holds such a special place in my kitchen because it’s such a reliable, feel-good meal that so many people enjoy. It’s a recipe I’ve gone back to time and again when I want something filling, flavorful, and fuss-free. You really can’t go wrong with these cheesy, saucy, satisfying enchiladas—so pull out your skillet and baking dish, and give this recipe a try. Your kitchen (and your hungry crew) will thank you!
Print
Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe features flavorful seasoned ground beef, soft tortillas, and melted marbled cheddar cheese, all baked in a rich enchilada sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, these enchiladas are customizable with optional toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, diced avocado, and green onions.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 2 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 soft taco size tortillas (flour or corn)
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 16 oz. marbled cheddar cheese, shredded
Optional Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Pico de Gallo
- Diced Avocado
- Diced Green Onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to get ready for baking the enchiladas.
- Brown Meat and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced white onion until the beef is fully browned and crumbled, with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat from the skillet and return it to the stove.
- Season the Beef: Add the taco seasoning and water to the cooked beef and onion, stirring well to combine. Allow the water to absorb into the beef mixture, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Assemble Enchiladas: Place approximately 1/3 cup of the seasoned beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with about 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, then roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. If any beef mixture remains, sprinkle it over the rolled enchiladas.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the rolled tortillas, making sure each is well coated. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Bake: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the center is bubbly and hot.
- Serve: Remove from oven and top with your favorite optional toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, diced avocado, or green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS: Assemble enchiladas as directed but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, keep foil on and bake at 375 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes until bubbly. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Use either flour or corn tortillas based on preference or dietary needs.
- For extra spice, consider adding chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
