Ground Beef Enchiladas
Ground Beef Enchiladas feature perfectly seasoned lean ground beef wrapped in warm tortillas, smothered with rich enchilada sauce and melted cheese. This quick and easy Mexican-inspired dish delivers comforting warmth and bold flavors, ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with family and friends.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 enchiladas (serves 4-6) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free tortillas and sauce)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 8 flour or corn tortillas, softened
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Extras
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ⅓ cup diced green chilies
- Jalapeños or chipotle peppers for added heat
- Sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess
- Prepare the Filling: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If using, add black beans, corn, or green chilies. Simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors.
- Warm the Tortillas: Gently warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave them wrapped in a clean towel to make them pliable and prevent cracking during rolling.
- Assemble the Enchiladas: Spoon a generous amount of the beef filling onto the center of each tortilla. Roll it up tightly and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat for all tortillas and filling.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas, ensuring full coverage. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously on top, covering all the enchiladas.
- Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the enchiladas for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving for flavors to settle and enchiladas to firm up.
Notes
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices enhance flavor intensity.
- Avoid Overfilling: Too much filling can cause tortillas to tear when rolling.
- Don’t Skip Warming Tortillas: Warm tortillas roll easier and are less likely to crack.
- Let it Rest: Allow baked enchiladas to rest a few minutes before cutting to keep them intact.
- Double the Sauce: Add extra sauce on top before baking for saucier enchiladas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 enchilada
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: ground beef enchiladas, quick dinner, Mexican recipe, easy enchiladas, family meal, comfort food