Savory, Cheesy, and Perfect for Family Dinners
Few dishes capture the warmth and nostalgia of home-cooked comfort food quite like ground beef enchiladas. Rolled in soft corn tortillas, filled with savory ground beef, onions, garlic, and green chilies, and topped with melty cheese and rich enchilada sauce, this recipe is a celebration of flavor, texture, and simplicity.
Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner, hosting a casual gathering, or craving a Mexican-inspired comfort meal, these enchiladas are easy to make, satisfying, and deliciously indulgent. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of tender beef, melted cheese, and a slightly tangy, flavorful sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: Soft tortillas and melty cheese appeal to all ages.
- Customizable: Add toppings like avocado, jalapeños, or sour cream for extra flavor.
- Flavorful Filling: Ground beef, onions, garlic, and green chilies create a savory and slightly spicy center.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Makes 4–6 servings, ideal for family dinners or small gatherings.
This is a classic comfort food recipe with a homemade touch that rivals restaurant-style enchiladas.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Enchilada Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tortillas & Topping
- 8–10 corn tortillas
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) red enchilada sauce
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for frying tortillas)
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Sliced olives
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado slices
- Sliced jalapeños
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or set aside for assembly.
Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling
In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped green chilies. Cook for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Soften the Tortillas
In a separate skillet, quickly fry each corn tortilla for a few seconds on each side in a small amount of oil until pliable. Drain on paper towels.
This step prevents the tortillas from cracking when rolled and helps them absorb some of the sauce.
Step 4: Assemble the Enchiladas
Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto each tortilla, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
Repeat until all tortillas are filled and arranged in the dish. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and allow the enchiladas to rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Tips for the Best Enchiladas
- Soft Tortillas: Quick-frying the tortillas prevents cracking and makes them more pliable.
- Cheese Choices: Use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a creamy, melty topping.
- Adjust Heat: Add more or fewer green chilies or jalapeños depending on your spice preference.
- Make Ahead: Assemble enchiladas in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with rice, beans, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground beef with black beans, mushrooms, or tofu.
- Extra Flavor: Add cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
- Cheese Swap: Use queso fresco, pepper jack, or Mexican blend for varied flavor.
- Sauce Twist: Try green enchilada sauce for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, 1 Enchilada)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 2g
Amazing Comforting Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
Savory ground beef enchiladas with melty cheese and a flavorful filling that embraces you with warmth and nostalgia.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
- 8–10 corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
- Optional toppings: sour cream, sliced olives, diced tomatoes, avocado, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef, breaking apart until fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in chopped green chilies, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Quick-fry each tortilla in a separate skillet until pliable; drain on paper towels.
- Pour a bit of enchilada sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of beef mixture onto each tortilla, add cheese, and roll tightly. Place seam-side down in dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake approximately 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest a few moments, then garnish with cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Experiment with different toppings and ingredients to make this dish your own.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
Yes! Flour tortillas are more pliable and reduce the need for frying, though corn tortillas give a traditional flavor.
Q2: Can I make these enchiladas ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the enchiladas and cover tightly. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours and bake as directed.
Q3: Can I freeze the enchiladas?
Yes. Assemble without baking, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Q4: How do I make this dish spicier?
Add sliced jalapeños, more green chilies, or a dash of hot sauce to the beef filling or sauce.
Q5: Can I make this recipe low-carb?
Yes. Use low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of corn tortillas.
Conclusion
These Amazing Comforting Ground Beef Enchiladas are the perfect blend of cheesy, savory, and nostalgic flavors. Quick to assemble and easy to bake, they deliver a warm, satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.
With tender beef, flavorful sauce, melty cheese, and optional fresh toppings, these enchiladas bring comfort, convenience, and deliciousness to the table in every bite.
