Nothing beats the comfort of homemade ground beef enchiladas recipe fresh from your own kitchen. These cheesy, saucy delights bring authentic Mexican flavors right to your dinner table without the restaurant price tag. My ground beef enchiladas recipe has been perfected over years of family gatherings and weeknight dinners, creating that perfect balance of tender beef, melted cheese, and rich enchilada sauce.
This ground beef enchiladas recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something special. The combination of seasoned ground beef wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in homemade red sauce creates a meal that satisfies everyone at the table.
Why This Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
This particular ground beef enchiladas recipe stands out because it strikes the perfect balance between authentic Mexican flavors and practical home cooking. Unlike complicated versions that require hours of preparation, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss. The secret lies in properly seasoning the ground beef and creating a rich, homemade enchilada sauce that coats every tortilla beautifully.
What makes this ground beef enchiladas recipe truly special is its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal. Whether you're feeding picky kids or impressing dinner guests, these enchiladas work every time. The recipe scales easily for large gatherings, and the leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep enthusiasts.
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Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Ground cumin
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the Enchilada Sauce
- Vegetable oil
- All-purpose flour
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Chicken broth
- Tomato paste
- Salt
For Assembly
- Flour tortillas
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions, chopped
- Fresh cilantro
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Enchilada Sauce
- Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano; cook for 30 seconds.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form.
- Stir in tomato paste and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes until thickened.
H3: Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef Filling
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Season with cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
H3: Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread ½ cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Place ⅓ cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla.
- Sprinkle with Mexican cheese blend, then roll tightly.
- Place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
H3: Step 4: Bake to Perfection
- Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.
- Sprinkle with remaining Mexican cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes until cheese bubbles.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with fresh cilantro and green onions.
Expert Cooking Tips
Creating the perfect ground beef enchiladas recipe requires attention to a few key details that make all the difference.
Meat Preparation Secrets:
- Choose 80/20 ground beef for the ideal fat content that keeps filling moist
- Don't overcook the beef; it continues cooking in the oven
- Drain excess fat but leave a little for flavor
- Season the meat while it's hot for better absorption
Tortilla Handling Tips:
- Warm tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds to prevent cracking
- Don't overfill tortillas or they'll break during rolling
- Roll tightly but not so tight that filling squeezes out
- Place seam-side down to prevent unrolling
Sauce and Cheese Guidelines:
- Make sauce slightly thinner than you think; it thickens as it bakes
- Reserve some cheese for the final 5 minutes of baking
- Use a combination of cheeses for complex flavor
- Don't skip the sauce on the bottom of the pan
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This ground beef enchiladas recipe adapts beautifully to different dietary needs and taste preferences.
Protein Alternatives:
Ground turkey or chicken work excellently as beef substitutes, requiring the same cooking time and seasonings. For vegetarian versions, substitute the meat with black beans, lentils, or a combination of sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn. Plant-based ground meat alternatives also work well, though you may need to adjust seasoning levels.
Tortilla and Cheese Options:
- Corn tortillas create a more authentic texture but require warming to prevent breaking
- Whole wheat tortillas add fiber and nutty flavor
- For dairy-free versions, use cashew-based cheese or nutritional yeast
- Low-fat cheese reduces calories without sacrificing too much flavor
Sauce Variations:
- Green enchilada sauce (salsa verde) provides a tangy alternative
- Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for heat
- Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth in vegetarian versions
- Cream-based sauces work for milder palates
Equipment Recommendations
Success with this ground beef enchiladas recipe depends on having the right tools for efficient preparation.
Essential Equipment:
- Large skillet (12-inch) for browning meat evenly
- Medium saucepan for homemade enchilada sauce
- 9x13-inch baking dish (glass or ceramic preferred)
- Sharp chef's knife for precise vegetable dicing
- Whisk for smooth sauce preparation
- Large spoon for filling tortillas
Helpful Additions:
- Kitchen tongs for easy tortilla handling
- Measuring cups and spoons for accurate seasoning
- Aluminum foil for even baking
- Cooling rack to prevent soggy bottoms
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
This ground beef enchiladas recipe is perfect for meal planning and batch cooking.
Refrigerator Storage:
Cooked enchiladas keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator when properly stored in airtight containers. Allow them to cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation. Individual portions reheat beautifully in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Freezer Guidelines:
- Freeze assembled, unbaked enchiladas for up to 3 months
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil
- Bake from frozen, adding 15-20 extra minutes to cooking time
- Cooked enchiladas freeze for 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating
Make-Ahead Strategies:
- Prepare beef filling 2 days in advance
- Make enchilada sauce up to 1 week ahead
- Assemble enchiladas the morning of serving
- Double the recipe and freeze half for later
The Secret to Restaurant-Quality Results
The difference between good and great ground beef enchiladas recipe lies in two crucial techniques that most home cooks overlook.
First, the magic happens when you properly bloom your spices. Instead of just mixing dry seasonings into the cooked beef, toast them in the hot oil for 30 seconds before adding liquid. This releases essential oils and creates deeper, more complex flavors that penetrate every bite. The ground beef enchiladas recipe becomes infinitely more satisfying when each component is properly seasoned at the right moment.
Second, the layering technique transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary. Start with sauce on the bottom, add your filled tortillas, then more sauce, and finish with cheese. This creates moisture barriers that prevent soggy bottoms while ensuring the tops get beautifully golden. These small details elevate your ground beef enchiladas recipe from good to absolutely irresistible.
FAQ
Can you use ground beef in enchiladas?
Absolutely! Ground beef is one of the most popular and traditional fillings for enchiladas. This ground beef enchiladas recipe uses seasoned ground beef as the main protein, creating a hearty, flavorful filling that holds together well during rolling and baking.
What is the secret to good enchiladas?
The secret lies in properly seasoning each component and using the right sauce-to-filling ratio. Quality homemade enchilada sauce and properly seasoned meat make this ground beef enchiladas recipe stand out from store-bought versions.
What are some common mistakes when making enchiladas?
Common mistakes include using cold tortillas that crack, overfilling the tortillas, not using enough sauce, and overbaking. This ground beef enchiladas recipe provides specific timing and techniques to avoid these pitfalls.
What are the ingredients in enchiladas?
Traditional enchiladas contain tortillas, protein filling (like the ground beef in this recipe), enchilada sauce, and cheese. This ground beef enchiladas recipe also includes onions, garlic, and Mexican spices for authentic flavor.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Now that you've mastered this ground beef enchiladas recipe, your kitchen skills are ready for new challenges. The techniques you've learned here translate beautifully to other comfort food favorites that your family will love.
Try our Enchilada Pasta Recipe for a fusion twist that combines Mexican flavors with Italian comfort. This dish uses similar seasoning profiles to your ground beef enchiladas recipe but creates an entirely different dining experience. For something with international flair, our Gochujang Pasta Recipe brings Korean heat to Italian tradition, perfect for adventurous palates who enjoyed the bold flavors in this ground beef enchiladas recipe.
Happy cooking and creating delicious memories in your kitchen! 🍽️
- Ashley Morgan
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe:
Homemade Ground Beef Enchiladas
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Aluminum foil
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Enchilada Sauce
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 6 oz tomato paste 1 small can
- salt to taste
Assembly
- 8-10 flour tortillas 8-inch size
- 2 Mexican cheese blend shredded
- ½ cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 green onions chopped
- fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Make enchilada sauce by whisking flour and oil, then adding spices, broth, and tomato paste. Simmer until thick.
- Brown beef, then sauté with onion and garlic. Season well and cook through.
- Spoon beef into tortillas, add cheese, roll tightly, and place seam-side down.
- Top with sauce and cheese. Cover and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 5 more.
- Sprinkle with cilantro and green onions before serving.
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