Best Beef Enchilada Casserole

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Looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner that combines the best of Mexican flavors with the ease of a casserole? This Beef Enchilada Casserole has become my family’s most requested meal, and for good reason.

It takes all the things we love about traditional enchiladas – seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty sauce – but layers them into an easy-to-assemble dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it makes fantastic leftovers for lunch the next day, if you’re lucky enough to have any left over.

beef enchilada casserole
Image: © mollyshomeguide.com (Visualized and enhanced using AI technology)

 
Preparation Time15-20 minutes
Cooking Time20-30 minutes
Total Time35-50 minutes
Level of DifficultyMedium
 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small diced yellow onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 pound ground beef (can be swapped with ground chicken)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small diced yellow onion
  • 4.5 ounces diced green chiles
  • 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 12 corn tortillas (6-inch size)
  • 3 cups shredded colby jack cheese
 

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.

 

Step 2: Make the Enchilada Sauce

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.

Add 1 diced onion and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Saute until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in chili powder and cumin, cooking for about 30 seconds.

Then add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and stir well.

Slowly whisk in chicken stock, followed by stirring in the tomato sauce and minced garlic.

Bring this mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Optionally, you can blend the enchilada sauce to make it smooth.

 

Step 3: Prepare the Enchilada Filling

While the onion for the sauce is cooking, add the ground beef to a separate skillet.

Break it up and season with salt and pepper.

After breaking up the beef, add the second diced onion and cook until the beef is fully cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Once the beef is cooked, remove from heat, drain the fat, and stir in green chiles and black beans.

Then, pour 1/2 cup of the prepared enchilada sauce into the beef mixture and mix well.

 

Step 4: Assemble the Enchiladas

Pour 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Dip 6 tortillas into the remaining enchilada sauce to coat them, then line the bottom of the baking dish with these tortillas.

Divide the beef mixture in half and spread half of it on top of the tortillas in the dish.

Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the beef mixture.

Dip the remaining 6 tortillas in the enchilada sauce and place them over the cheese.

Top with the remaining beef mixture and then add 2 cups of Colby Jack cheese on top.

 

Step 5: Bake and Serve

Bake the enchiladas uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade enchiladas!

beef enchilada casserole
Image: © mollyshomeguide.com (Visualized and enhanced using AI technology)
beef enchilada casserole
Image: © mollyshomeguide.com (Visualized and enhanced using AI technology)


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