Ground beef enchiladas are the kind of cozy, cheesy dinner that brings everyone to the table. Savory beef, melty shredded cheese, and zesty red sauce are wrapped in warm tortillas and baked until bubbly and golden. It's a satisfying, high protein meal that's simple enough for a weeknight family dinner and easy to make low carb if needed.
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The backstory.
Some nights call for a big pot of soup, and some nights call for melted cheese and tortillas. These cheesy beef enchiladas started as a dinner idea when I wanted something comforting but easy. Adding cottage cheese to the filling made them extra creamy and hearty, and now this oven baked enchilada bake has become one of those dinners we come back to again and again.
xoxo Kori
It's a must-make.
Easy ground beef enchiladas are one of those dinners that delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and plenty of cozy comfort.
- Cozy comfort food. Savory ground chuck, red sauce, and melty shredded cheese bake together into a rich, satisfying enchilada bake casserole.
- Perfect for a family dinner. A pan of warm enchiladas fresh from the oven always brings everyone to the table.
- High protein and filling. Between the beef, cottage cheese, and cheese, these enchiladas are hearty and satisfying.
- Flexible and adaptable. This enchilada bake can easily be made low carb adaptable or keto adaptable with a couple simple swaps.
If dinner involves tortillas, melted cheese, and something bubbling in the oven - I'm already excited.
Let's talk texture and flavor.
The first bite of these easy cheesy beef enchiladas is warm, savory, and incredibly satisfying. Soft tortillas wrap around flavorful ground chuck, creamy cottage cheese, and gooey shredded cheese. The red sauce blended with fire roasted tomatoes adds a slightly smoky, zesty flavor, while green chiles bring just enough warmth to keep things interesting without making the dish spicy.
What you'll need.
Here's what your going to need to make ground beef enchiladas with red sauce.
- Ground chuck: The savory base that makes these hamburger enchiladas hearty and satisfying. I use either an 80/20 or lean ground beef 90/10 blend.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth as it cooks with the beef.
- Cottage cheese: The secret creamy ingredient that adds richness and boosts the protein in these enchiladas with cottage cheese.
- Red enchilada sauce: The bold red sauce that gives enchiladas their classic flavor.
- Chopped green chiles: Adds a mild heat and a little extra zesty flavor.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: Brings smoky depth and helps round out the sauce.
- Corn tortillas: Soft tortillas hold the filling and soak up the savory sauce while baking.
- Mexican shredded cheese blend: Melts beautifully over the enchiladas and gives you that irresistible cheesy top.
- Optional garnishes - cilantro, olives, or diced tomatoes: Fresh toppings that add color and brightness to the finished dish.
If this ground beef enchilada recipe is your kind of comfort food, there are plenty more delicious versions to try. For a cozy baked option, Chicken Enchilada Casserole brings all the classic flavors together in an easy layered dish. If you love a creamy twist, White Chicken Enchiladas Recipe is rich, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite. Seafood lovers will enjoy the savory, melty goodness of Cheesy and Creamy Seafood Enchiladas, while Carne Enchiladas deliver bold, classic Mexican flavor that's hearty and satisfying. Each one is a little different, but they all bring that same warm, cheesy enchilada comfort to the table.
Customize it your way.
Cheesy beef enchiladas are incredibly flexible, so feel free to make them your own.
- Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Turn the recipe into a layered enchilada bake by layering tortillas, beef, sauce, and cheese instead of rolling them.
- Sprinkle additional shredded cheese between layers for extra cheesy enchiladas.
- Top with sliced avocado, sour cream, or fresh pico de gallo before serving.
- Add a handful of chopped fresh cilantro to the filling for a fresh flavor boost.
- Add refried beans or black beans to the ground beef to make a thicker enchilada mixture.
- Make it spicier by using hot diced green chilis and hot red enchilada sauce.
Flexible dietary swaps.
Thankfully, ground beef enchiladas are easy to adapt for different dietary needs while still keeping their delicious flavor.
- Low-Carb Adaptable: Swap the corn tortillas for your favorite low-carb tortillas.
- Keto Adaptable: Use keto tortillas and choose a keto-friendly enchilada sauce. You can also reduce the diced tomatoes slightly to keep carbs lower.
- Lean Protein Option: Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground chuck. The enchiladas will still be hearty and flavorful, just a bit lighter.
- Dairy-Free: Replace the cottage cheese and shredded cheese with your favorite dairy-free alternatives. Many plant-based shredded cheeses melt nicely in enchiladas.
- Gluten-Free: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but double-check the label to be safe. Also choose a gluten-free enchilada sauce if needed.
How to make these easy beef enchiladas.
Making beef enchiladas is simple and perfect for an oven baked dinner.
- Cook the ground chuck and onion in a skillet until the beef for enchiladas is browned and the onion is tender.
- Blend the fire roasted tomatoes, red sauce, and green chiles until smooth to create the enchilada sauce.
- Warm the tortillas so they're soft and easy to roll, then fill each with beef, cottage cheese, sauce, and shredded cheese.
- Roll the tortillas, place them seam-side down in a baking dish, pour the remaining sauce over the top, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
How to serve beef enchiladas.
Ground beef enchiladas make a delicious centerpiece for a cozy Mexican-inspired dinner.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced olives, or diced tomatoes for a pop of freshness.
- Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side.
- Pair with refried beans for a classic combination.
- Add a crisp green salad with avocado dressing to balance the savory enchilada bake casserole.
Kori's tips.
- Warm the tortillas first. This keeps them soft and prevents cracking when rolling the enchiladas.
- Want a slightly crisp tortilla? Quickly fry tortillas in hot oil for a few seconds until flexible, then fill and roll immediately before placing in the baking dish.
- Blend the sauce well. Fire roasted tomatoes, green chiles, and red sauce combine into a smooth flavorful base.
- Want more heat? Use hot green chiles or a spicy enchilada sauce.
- Prefer mild flavor? Skip the green chiles or swap the enchilada sauce for tomato sauce.
FAQ's
Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat ground beef enchiladas in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Add a spoonful of extra red sauce before reheating if they look a little dry.
Yes. Let the enchiladas cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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📖 The recipe.
Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 4 ounce can chopped green chiles
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 10 corn tortillas (soft) (buy the ones that indicate they are soft)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- (optional for garnish) fresh cilantro and sliced olives or diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. In a medium skillet over medium high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until onion is tender and the beef is cooked through.
- In a blender add the diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and green chiles. Blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Wrap 3 to 4 corn tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on high for 15 to 30 seconds until they are warm and pliable.
- While they are still warm, place the tortillas on on a board and fill with 2 tablespoons of ground beef mixture, 1 tablespoon cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon of enchilada sauce and a tablespoon of cheese. Roll up and place in the casserole dish seam side down. Repeat the process with each tortilla.
- Sprinkle any remaining meat mixture and cottage cheese over the top of the enchiladas. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top, then finish by sprinkling with the rest of thew shredded cheese.
- Bake enchilada casserole for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Video
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Ground chicken or turkey may be substituted for beef.
- TIPS: Increase the spicy heat by using hot green chiles or hot enchilada sauce. If you like it mild omit the green chiles or use tomato sauce instead of enchilada sauce.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with sour cream and salsa. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Pairs well with refried beans and a green salad with avocado dressing.
Nutrition
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