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Homemade beef enchiladas baked in the oven create a comforting experience with their cheesy flavor that never fails to delight. This recipe serves everybody from family dinner seekers to those who need quick Mexican comfort food preparation at home.
The dish combines cooked tender beef seasoned with spices which gets folded inside tortillas before being dunked in rich enchilada sauce and baked to achievement. Sounds irresistible, right? The best part? None of your cooking prowess can make these enchiladas if you possess simple ingredients together with a small amount of time.
Key Benefits of Homemade Beef Enchiladas
Why make homemade beef enchiladas instead of ordering takeout? Besides the unbeatable freshness and flavor, here’s why this dish deserves a spot in your meal rotation:
✅ Comforting & Hearty – Packed with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and rich enchilada sauce, these enchiladas are the ultimate Mexican comfort food.
✅ Customizable & Family-Friendly – Whether you prefer corn or flour tortillas, extra spice, or a different cheese blend, this recipe is easy to tailor to your taste.
✅ Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor – With just a handful of pantry staples like garlic, chili powder, and cumin, you can create a bold, restaurant-quality dish at home.
✅Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly – Prepare a batch ahead of time, freeze them, and bake whenever you need a quick and satisfying meal.
By making these cheesy, oven-baked enchiladas yourself, you’ll enjoy better ingredients, fresher flavors, and a homemade touch that’s impossible to beat!
Beef Enchilada Ingredients
To make flavorful, homemade beef enchiladas, you’ll need a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Here’s everything required for the filling, sauce, and assembly:
Ingredients List
| Category | Ingredients | Notes & Substitutions |
| Beef Filling | 1 lb ground beef | Lean or 80/20 blend for rich flavor |
| 1 small onion, finely chopped | Adds depth and sweetness | |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced | Fresh garlic enhances the taste | |
| 1 tsp chili powder | Adjust for spice preference | |
| ½ tsp cumin | Adds a warm, smoky flavor | |
| ½ tsp salt | Balances the seasoning | |
| ¼ tsp black pepper | Adds a subtle kick | |
| ½ cup black beans or refried beans (optional) | Boosts texture and protein | |
| Enchilada Sauce | 2 cups enchilada sauce | Use homemade or store-bought |
| ½ tsp smoked paprika | Enhances depth and smokiness | |
| ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional) | Adds a little heat | |
| Tortillas & Toppings | 8 small flour or corn tortillas | Choose based on preference |
| 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend) | Melts beautifully for gooey texture | |
| ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional) | For garnish and freshness | |
| ½ cup sour cream or sliced avocado (optional) | Adds a creamy contrast |
Ingredient Notes:
- Tortilla Choice – Corn tortillas provide a more traditional texture, while flour tortillas create a softer bite.
- Cheese Variations – A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack gives the best melt and flavor.
- Customizations – Feel free to add diced green chilies, bell peppers, or even shredded chicken for extra variety.
Now that you have everything ready, let’s move on to assembling and baking these cheesy, oven-baked beef enchiladas!
After enjoying these delicious beef enchiladas, you may want to try another comforting dish. Our Easy Beef Stew is perfect for cooler weather and offers a rich, savory flavor. It’s simple to make and a great option for meal prep, just like the enchiladas!
How to Make Beef Enchiladas
The next steps of making oven-baked cheesy beef enchiladas with ready ingredients begin here. Each stage in the beef enchilada preparation consists of steps that help deliver rich flavors and make the process effortless.
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Filling
A large skillet needs to be heated to medium heat. Put the ground beef into the skillet and stir it while breaking it apart until it develops a brown color.
The mixture requires onion pieces and garlic minced to cook for two to three minutes until they become soft and aromatic.
The beef receives an even distribution of spices as you mix it with chili powder, cumin, salt and black pepper until all components blend together. Keep the mixture on heat for one more minute to let the spices intensify.
At this point you should combine black beans or refried beans when you want both protein content and additional texture in your enchiladas. Take the pan off the stove then place it aside.
Step 2: Warm the Tortillas
For easy rolling, warm the flour or corn tortillas:
Microwave method: Stack tortillas between damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds.
Each tortilla receives 15-20 seconds of heat in a cooking skillet for proper flexibility.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service provides guidelines on keeping bread products, including tortillas, safe during emergencies, emphasizing proper storage to prevent foodborne illnesses.Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
You should use a warmed tortilla that you will flatten before adding 1/4 cup of the beef contents along the middle.
Roll the wrapped portions gently to make a tight log seam and settle them seam sides down into the baking dish.
Place the other softened tortillas next to each other until you fill the baking dish.
Step 4: Add Sauce & Cheese
Layer the rolled tortillas by pouring an equal amount of the enchilada sauce on top.
Apply the remaining shredded cheese over the surface to create a crispy fond.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place aluminum foil over the dish before baking it for 20 minutes.
After baking with the foil cover for 20 minutes set the oven to 5 to 10 more minutes to let the cheese turn golden and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Allow enchiladas to remain covered before eating for 5 minutes.
The dish can be enhanced with chopped cilantro along with sour cream or avocado slices for extra taste.
You can now bring to your plate warm meaty beef enchiladas with their tasty cheese blend to create a delicious dinner that suits any weekday evening.
Now that you’ve mastered Beef Enchiladas, why not try something equally comforting? Our Beef Stroganoff is a must-try!
Conclusion
Homemade beef enchiladas prove quite simple to make and produce astounding results. These enchiladas will bring you complete comfort because they consist of expertly seasoned beef along with warm tortillas and melted cheese that expresses authentic Mexican flavors.
The enchiladas enable you to alter and personalize the ingredients for your specific preferences in both informal family dinners and weekly meal preparations. You can transform the recipe by switching proteins or adding more chiles while trying various types of cheese for a different results every time.
Moving forward after mastering this standard oven-baked beef enchilada recipe allows you to start enjoying your creations.
Both Beef Enchiladas and Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef are excellent choices for meal prep, offering delicious, freezer-friendly options.
Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients
Beef Enchilada Ingredients
- For the Enchilada Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup canned black beans optional
- ½ cup corn kernels optional
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
- For the Enchilada Sauce:
- 2 cups enchilada sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- For Assembling the Enchiladas:
- 8 small corn tortillas or flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese for topping
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
- ½ cup sour cream optional, for serving
- 1 avocado sliced (optional, for serving)
Instructions
How to Make Beef Enchiladas
- Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef in seasoning.
- If using, add black beans and corn, stirring to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and set the filling aside.
- Step 2: Warm the Tortillas
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and lightly warm each tortilla for about 10 seconds per side to make them pliable.
- Alternatively, wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling onto each tortilla, then roll it up tightly.
- Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Step 4: Add Sauce and Cheese
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the sauce.
- Step 5: Bake and Serve
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
FAQ
The Mexican culinary world divides about the correct choice between corn and flour tortillas in enchilada preparation.
It’s all about personal preference! Between the two options corn tortillas have a traditional texture with a light crisp component since flour tortillas remain soft but flexible. Consumers can use either tortilla type since both options deliver great results depending on their favorite kind.
Which variety between corn and flour produces the most beneficial dietary choice?
The calorie content of corn tortillas remains lower while fibers make up more volume in these than in flour tortillas. People with dietary restrictions should choose corn tortillas due to their natural gluten-free quality.
You can develop a thicker texture in enchilada fillings by using various ingredients.
Your enchilada filling can become thicker by using refried beans along with water and cornstarch mixture or adding cream cheese to reach a creamy texture. Prolonged simmering of the filling through natural cooking methods will produce a thicker consistency.
What method should you use to prevent your beef enchiladas from becoming soggy?
Fried tortillas and minimal sauce are vital to preventing soggy enchiladas and making the final dish is not too moist. Check your filling amount before placing it in each tortilla to the right amount.