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Hearty Beef Enchilada Bake Recipe

Hearty Beef Enchilada Bake Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty Beef Enchilada Bake brings classic Mexican flavors together in one comforting casserole. Layers of tender beef, melted cheese, and zesty sauce create a satisfying meal that welcomes everyone to the table.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
  • 6 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade equivalent)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup corn kernels (optional)
  • ½ cup canned black beans or refried beans (optional)
  • Sliced green onions
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream
  • Diced avocado

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Meat Mixture: Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling and browning until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then blend in onions, taco seasoning, and green chilies, simmering for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors.
  3. Base Layer: Spread a thin coat of enchilada sauce across the baking dish bottom, creating a flavorful foundation.
  4. First Assembly: Layer tortillas slightly overlapping, then evenly distribute half the seasoned beef mixture and sprinkle with a generous helping of shredded cheese.
  5. Final Build: Repeat the layering process with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese, ensuring a complete cheese coverage on top.
  6. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and develops crispy edges.
  7. Resting and Serving: Let the enchilada bake rest 5-7 minutes after removing from the oven. Slice into square portions and embellish with optional garnishes like sour cream, fresh cilantro, or guacamole. Serve alongside Mexican rice or refried beans.

Notes

Optimize Meat Texture: Brown ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat to prevent a greasy dish, ensuring meat remains tender and flavorful without being soggy.

Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning and green chilies according to personal heat preference, allowing flexibility for mild or spicy palate variations.

Layer Strategically: Slightly overlap tortillas and distribute ingredients evenly to create balanced flavor in every bite, preventing dry or uneven sections in the casserole.

Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use minimal enchilada sauce in the base layer and ensure beef mixture isn’t too wet to maintain a crisp tortilla foundation and prevent mushy texture.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg