Beef Enchilada Casserole (Easy Cheesy Family Favorite)

There are nights when comfort food needs to be big, bold, and effortless—and that’s exactly where beef enchilada casserole shines. All the flavors you love from classic enchiladas come together in one cozy, scoopable dish that skips the rolling and delivers maximum satisfaction. Layers of tender tortillas, seasoned ground beef, rich enchilada sauce, and bubbly melted cheese make this casserole a weeknight hero and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Instead of carefully filling and rolling individual enchiladas, everything is layered lasagna-style and baked until hot and gooey. The result is just as flavorful—if not more so—because every bite gets soaked in sauce and cheese.

Beef enchilada casserole is also incredibly versatile. You can customize it with beans, corn, peppers, or different cheeses depending on what you have on hand. It freezes well, reheats beautifully, and tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups red enchilada sauce
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
• 2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese (or cheddar)
• Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in 1 cup of enchilada sauce and add the black beans. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
6. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
7. Layer one-third of the tortilla pieces over the sauce, followed by half of the beef mixture and a sprinkle of cheese.
8. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining tortillas, enchilada sauce, and a generous layer of cheese on top.
9. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite toppings.

Beef Enchilada Casserole

A layered casserole with seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and melted cheese baked until bubbly.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Casserole

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups enchilada sauce red
• 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
• 8 small corn tortillas quartered
• 2 cups Mexican-blend cheese shredded

Equipment

• Large skillet
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing spoon

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease baking dish.
2. Brown ground beef with onion until cooked through.
3. Add garlic and spices, then stir in enchilada sauce and beans.
4. Layer tortillas, beef mixture, sauce, and cheese in baking dish.
5. Bake covered, then uncover and bake until cheese is bubbly.

Notes

Let rest briefly before serving for clean slices.

Tips & Tricks

• Letting the casserole rest helps it set and makes serving easier.
• Use corn tortillas for authentic flavor or flour tortillas for a softer texture.
• If your tortillas are dry, lightly warm them before layering to prevent cracking.

Variations

• Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or hot enchilada sauce.
• Cheesy Upgrade: Mix cream cheese into the beef for extra creaminess.
• Veggie Boost: Add corn, bell peppers, or zucchini to the meat mixture.
• Chicken Swap: Replace ground beef with shredded chicken.

Serving Suggestions
Serve beef enchilada casserole with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad. A side of tortilla chips and salsa makes it feel like a full fiesta dinner.

Storage Information
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze baked or unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake until heated through.

FAQ

• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
• What enchilada sauce works best? Red enchilada sauce is classic, but green works too.
• Is this casserole gluten-free? Use corn tortillas and check sauce labels to be sure.

History / Fun Facts
Enchilada casseroles became popular as a shortcut version of traditional enchiladas, especially in busy households. By layering instead of rolling, cooks saved time while still enjoying the bold Mexican-inspired flavors everyone loves.