If you are looking for a delicious and quick meal that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, this Easy Beef Enchiladas recipe will be your new favorite! They are filled with flavorful ground beef, onions, and creamy white cheese. The enchiladas are topped with red sauce, and even more Mexican cheese, then baked to perfection. This recipe is a family favorite at our house. I made this batch for my husband’s birthday dinner, at his request.
I usually use Old El Paso Red Enchilada sauce: 1 small can of the mild variety, and 1 small can of the medium variety. We like them to have a little zip, but not too spicy for the kids. You can definitely go spicier if that’s what you like!
I love using the Supremo Chihuahua Quesadilla Style shredded cheese for the filling. It really adds to the creaminess, and adds a nice flavor with the beef. I regularly buy the refrigerated Tortilla Fresca tortillas at Costco. They are organic, and only have 4 ingredients, so I don’t feel any guilt serving them up to the family. If using this tortilla brand, be sure to cook the tortillas in a skillet prior to assembly.
You can substitute corn tortillas, which also yield amazing results! My hubby prefers flour tortillas, so that is what I used for his birthday meal. That is what is so great about this recipe, you can really customize it to your tastes.
I kept this batch simple since my husband can be picky at times, but other filling options for these enchiladas are excellent too:
- Diced Yellow Bell Pepper (added to pan with onion)
- Black Beans (added to saute pan after beef is fully cooked)
- Refried Beans (spread on tortilla during assembly)
- Substitute Chicken instead of Beef
Preparing the Enchilada Filling
To get started, add 1.5lbs ground beef and 1/2 of a medium yellow onion to a skillet over medium heat. Crumble and stir until browned, then drain the fat from the meat.
Add kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder to the beef and stir to coat. Stir in 1/3 cup enchilada sauce.
Turn the burner off. Get the cheese out of the fridge, and grab your prepared tortillas.
Assembling the Easy Beef Enchiladas
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spread a tablespoon or two of the Enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
Add about 1/4 cup prepared ground beef and 2 Tbsp shredded white cheese to each tortilla.
Roll length-wise and layer into the baking dish.
Repeat for all 10 of the tortillas, using all of the ground beef, and shredded white cheese.
This is a 9×13 baking dish, and I was able to tightly fit and fill 10 enchiladas.
Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top of the dish.
The tortillas should be lightly covered in sauce, nearly edge to edge. Spread the sauce so it coats all 4 sides of the dish.
Sprinkle the top with shredded Mexican cheese, about 1/2 – 3/4 cup.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until browned and bubbly. Garnish with green onions, diced tomatoes, and/or diced fresh cilantro.
Serve with your favorite toppings, such as:
- Avocado or Guacamole
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Lettuce
- Pico de Gallo
- Refried Beans
- Tortilla Chips
Once you’ve tried them, these Easy Beef Enchiladas will be on your regular meal rotation!
Easy Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients
Beef & Cheese Enchiladas
- 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20
- 1/2 medium Yellow Onion , diced
- 10 medium Flour Tortillas (or corn)
- 2 10 oz cans Red Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce (1 mild, 1 medium)
- 2 cups Supremo Chihuahua Quesadilla Shredded Cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese
Seasoning and Spices
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 Tbsp Chili Powder
Optional Garnish
- 3 sliced Green Onions
- 1-2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Cilantro
- 1 medium Diced Tomato
Instructions
- To get started, add 1.5lbs ground beef and 1/2 of a medium yellow onion to a skillet over medium heat. Crumble and stir until browned, then drain the fat from the meat. Turn burner off.
- Add kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder to the beef and stir to coat. Stir in 1/3 cup enchilada sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spread a tablespoon or two of the Enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add about 1/4 cup prepared ground beef and about 2 Tbsp shredded white cheese to each tortilla. Repeat for all 10 tortillas, being careful to use the shredded white cheese and beef equally. Roll tortillas lengthwise and arrange tightly in the baking dish.
- Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top of the rolled tortillas. They should be lightly covered in sauce, nearly edge to edge. Spread the sauce so it coats all 4 sides of the dish. Sprinkle the top with shredded Mexican cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until browned and bubbly. Garnish with green onions, diced tomatoes, and/or diced fresh cilantro.
- Serve with your favorite toppings, such as: avocado or guacamole, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, refried beans, or tortilla Chips
Notes
Like this recipe? Pair your enchiladas with my Copycat Restaurant Style Salsa-Recipe!