Easy cheesy ground beef enchiladas are a classic comfort food that I keep coming back to. Filled with seasoned beef, smothered in enchilada sauce, and topped with plenty of melted cheese, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and incredibly simple to throw together. Whether I’m cooking for the family or meal prepping for the week, these enchiladas always hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. The beef filling is rich and spiced just right, and once it’s rolled up in soft tortillas and baked with loads of cheese, it turns into a bubbly, cheesy, saucy masterpiece. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, and the leftovers taste just as good—if not better—the next day.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Ground beef
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Onion (chopped)
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Garlic (minced)
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Chili powder
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Ground cumin
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Paprika
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Salt and pepper
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Enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
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Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or Monterey Jack)
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Flour or corn tortillas
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Olive oil (for softening tortillas, optional)
Optional toppings:
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Sour cream
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Chopped cilantro
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Diced tomatoes
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Sliced green onions
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Avocado or guacamole
Directions
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I preheat the oven and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a skillet, I cook the ground beef with chopped onion until browned and cooked through, then stir in garlic and spices. I let it simmer a minute or two to develop flavor.
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I add a small amount of enchilada sauce to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
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I warm the tortillas slightly to make them pliable, then spoon some beef mixture into each one and roll them up.
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I place the rolled tortillas seam-side down in the baking dish.
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I pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
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I bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
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I garnish with fresh toppings before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6–8 enchiladas, about 4 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
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I mix in black beans or corn to the beef for added texture and flavor.
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I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
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I make it spicier by adding chopped jalapeños or using spicy enchilada sauce.
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For a creamy twist, I spread a little sour cream or cream cheese inside the tortillas before rolling.
storage/reheating
I store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, I use the oven or microwave until warmed through. If reheating in the oven, I cover them with foil to prevent drying out.
They also freeze well—I wrap them individually or in a dish and freeze for up to 2 months. I thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes, I often use corn tortillas for a more traditional taste. I soften them slightly in oil or microwave to prevent cracking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. I assemble them a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. I bake just before serving.
What kind of cheese is best?
I like using a Mexican blend or sharp cheddar, but Monterey Jack or pepper jack adds great flavor too.
Do I need to cook the beef all the way before baking?
Yes, I fully cook and season the beef before filling the tortillas. The baking step is just to melt the cheese and heat everything through.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, I use corn tortillas and make sure the enchilada sauce is gluten-free. It’s easy to adapt.
Conclusion
Easy cheesy ground beef enchiladas are a no-fuss, flavor-packed dish that never fails to satisfy. They’re loaded with beefy goodness, drenched in sauce, and topped with melty cheese—what more could I ask for? Whether I’m feeding a hungry crowd or looking for something cozy and comforting, this recipe is always a winner in my kitchen.
Print
Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (6–8 enchiladas)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Halal
Description
Easy cheesy ground beef enchiladas are hearty, saucy, and packed with flavor. Filled with seasoned beef and topped with melty cheese and enchilada sauce, they make the perfect comforting meal for busy nights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or Monterey Jack)
- 6–8 flour or corn tortillas
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for softening tortillas)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the beef mixture and remove from heat.
- Warm tortillas slightly in a skillet or microwave to make them pliable.
- Spoon beef mixture into each tortilla, roll them up, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with desired toppings and serve warm.
Notes
- Add black beans or corn to the beef mixture for extra texture.
- Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use spicy enchilada sauce or jalapeños for heat.
- Spread cream cheese or sour cream inside tortillas before rolling for a creamy twist.
- Freeze baked or unbaked enchiladas for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 enchiladas
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
