Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe
If you’re craving the hearty, soul-warming flavors of Mexican comfort food but want something that comes together in a single baking dish, this Beef Enchilada Casserole is going to become your new go-to dinner. Layers of savory ground beef, tangy enchilada sauce, tender corn tortillas, gooey melted cheese, and the surprising pop of black beans all come together with hardly any fuss—just pure flavor and easy assembly. Best of all, this Beef Enchilada Casserole is endlessly customizable, easy to prepare ahead, and sure to win over even the pickiest eaters at your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s no need for specialty store runs here—each ingredient in this Beef Enchilada Casserole is simple, familiar, and pulls its own weight in the flavor department. Together, they make a layered casserole that’s comforting, colorful, and as delicious as it is hearty.
- Olive oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps sauté the onions to sweet, savory perfection.
- Yellow onions: Essential for both the sauce and the filling, offering sweetness and depth.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures the seasoning is spot-on.
- Cumin: Brings that classic, earthy warmth that defines so many Mexican dishes.
- Chili powder: Adds mild heat and a gorgeous brick-red color to the homemade enchilada sauce.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the enchilada sauce just enough to hold the casserole together.
- Tomato sauce: Creates a tangy, smooth base for a rich, savory sauce.
- Chicken stock: Loosens up the enchilada sauce while layering in extra savoriness—use homemade or store-bought.
- Garlic: Minced fresh for aromatic depth and an irresistible hint of sharpness.
- Ground beef: Lean and flavorful, it makes for an ultra-satisfying filling—swap with ground chicken for a lighter twist.
- Black pepper: Lends a subtle heat to round out the meat’s flavor.
- Diced green chiles: Tiny, tameless pops of tangy heat that make the filling extra interesting.
- Black beans: Bring creaminess and a boost of protein, all while soaking up the sauce beautifully.
- Corn tortillas: Serve as the sturdy, authentic base for those irresistible casserole layers—dip them in sauce for max flavor.
- Shredded colby jack cheese: Melts like a dream, providing a gorgeous golden crown and plenty of gooey goodness.
How to Make Beef Enchilada Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Give a 9 by 13 inch baking dish a generous spritz with cooking spray—this is your insurance against sticking and guarantees neat, easy servings later on.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions for Your Sauce
In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add one diced yellow onion and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, sautéing until the onions become soft and translucent. This is where the magic starts—the onions lay the aromatic foundation for your homemade enchilada sauce.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
While your sauce onions are working, grab a second skillet. Start browning your pound of ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss in your second diced onion—this double-onion approach builds flavor all throughout the casserole. Cook everything together until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through, which takes about five minutes.
Step 4: Build the Enchilada Sauce
Back to your first skillet: stir the chili powder and cumin into the softened onions and let it toast for about 30 seconds—this wakens up those spices like nothing else. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, then slowly whisk in the chicken stock, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the tomato sauce and minced garlic, stir well, then bring it all to a gentle simmer for about five minutes. The result is a luscious, homemade enchilada sauce that tastes worlds better than anything from a can.
Step 5: Finish the Beef Filling
Once your ground beef is fully cooked, drain off any excess fat. Stir in the diced green chiles and black beans, letting them mingle for a minute just to heat them through. This colorful blend is hearty, flavorful, and practically begging to be layered up.
Step 6: Combine and Prep for Layering
If you want your enchilada sauce silky smooth, now’s the time to blitz it in a blender—totally optional but highly recommended for that restaurant-style finish. Pour 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to prevent sticking. Stir another 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the beef mixture—this infuses the meat with that tangy, spicy goodness.
Step 7: Dip and Layer the Tortillas
Take 6 of your corn tortillas and dip them one by one into the remaining enchilada sauce, coating them for maximum flavor. Arrange these sauce-soaked tortillas to cover the bottom of your baking dish. This forms the sturdy, flavor-packed base of the casserole.
Step 8: Layer the Beef and Cheese
Spread half the beef mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with one cup of shredded colby jack cheese. These hearty, cheesy layers create the melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes this casserole such a crowd-pleaser.
Step 9: Second Layer and Final Cheese
Repeat the process with your remaining 6 sauce-dipped tortillas. Top those with the last of the beef mixture and finish strong with the remaining two cups of shredded cheese. This double-layered approach means every bite is loaded with saucy, cheesy goodness.
Step 10: Bake
Pop the uncovered casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Keep an eye out—the cheese should turn bubbly and just begin to brown around the edges, blanketing your Beef Enchilada Casserole in a gloriously melty topping.
How to Serve Beef Enchilada Casserole
Garnishes
No Beef Enchilada Casserole is complete without a shower of colorful toppings. I love to scatter on chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, and a few dollops of sour cream for freshness and contrast. If you’re craving a little zing, squeeze some fresh lime juice or add sliced jalapeños right before serving. These little touches turn the casserole from a humble bake into a true celebration on your plate.
Side Dishes
This casserole is plenty filling on its own, but pairing it with a few classic sides makes the meal feel like a fiesta. Mexican rice, refried beans, or even a simple tossed green salad add nice balance and help support the bright, bold flavors of the Beef Enchilada Casserole. For something lighter, fresh pico de gallo or a big bowl of juicy, lime-dressed corn salad are fantastic choices.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun, party-ready twist, try serving the Beef Enchilada Casserole in individual ramekins or small baking dishes—everyone gets their own adorable portion! Or, cut the baked casserole into bite-size squares and serve as part of a larger appetizer spread. You can also roll up the tortillas for a more “enchilada-like” look, then bake casserole-style with all the same ingredients.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Beef Enchilada Casserole is a true blessing—just pop any uneaten portions into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors mingle and deepen overnight, making your next-day lunch something to seriously look forward to. For the best texture, let the casserole cool completely before packing it up.
Freezing
This casserole pays you back twice for just a little extra effort. To freeze, assemble the whole Beef Enchilada Casserole (but don’t bake), wrap it tightly with plastic and foil, and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready for dinner, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. You can also freeze individual baked portions for quick single-serves down the line.
Reheating
To reheat, simply cover the casserole and warm it in a 350 degree oven until hot and bubbly—this usually takes about 20 minutes for a whole dish, or just a few minutes for smaller portions. The microwave works in a pinch for individual servings, though the oven keeps the edges nice and crisp. Just be sure to top with fresh garnishes right before serving for that just-baked experience.
FAQs
Can I make Beef Enchilada Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can fully assemble the casserole up to a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake right before serving. It’s a terrific option for entertaining or for busy weeknights when you want dinner ready in a flash.
Can I substitute ground chicken for beef?
Definitely—if you prefer poultry, simply swap in ground chicken for the ground beef. The process remains exactly the same, and you’ll end up with a lighter but equally delicious enchilada casserole.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Colby jack is my first choice because it melts beautifully and adds creamy, mild flavor, but Monterey jack or cheddar work just as well. Feel free to mix and match your favorite melty cheeses!
Will flour tortillas work in place of corn?
While corn tortillas are traditional and offer a great texture, you can absolutely use flour tortillas if you prefer a softer bite. Just know that flour tortillas may be a bit more delicate and can get a little softer throughout baking.
Is there a way to make Beef Enchilada Casserole vegetarian?
Yes! Just leave out the ground beef and bump up the black beans or add sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for a satisfying vegetarian version. You’ll still enjoy all the hearty, bold flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Beef Enchilada Casserole is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with big smiles and second helpings. Give it a try—customize it to your taste, and prepare to add it to your regular rotation. It’s simple, comforting, and just bursting with flavor—your family (and your taste buds) will thank you!
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Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines flavorful enchilada sauce, seasoned ground beef (or chicken), black beans, and gooey cheese, all layered between corn tortillas.
Ingredients
For Enchilada Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For Enchilada Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef or chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4.5 ounces diced green chiles
- 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- 12 corn tortillas (6 inches)
- 3 cups shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Make Enchilada Sauce: In a skillet, sauté onion with salt until translucent. Add cumin, chili powder, flour, chicken stock, tomato sauce, and garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Enchilada Filling: Cook ground beef or chicken with onions, salt, and pepper until browned. Add green chiles and black beans.
- Layer Casserole: Pour some enchilada sauce in the baking dish. Layer tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding toppings like sour cream, avocado, or cilantro before serving.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Beef Enchilada Casserole, Enchilada Casserole Recipe, Mexican Casserole
