Description
This Beef Enchilada Casserole is a comforting and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef, red enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it combines classic enchilada flavors in an easy-to-assemble casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
Casserole Layers
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onion: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant to build flavor.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking the meat up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Season Beef: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture and stir well to evenly coat the meat with spices.
- Simmer Sauce and Beef: Pour half of the red enchilada sauce into the skillet with the beef and simmer together for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add moisture.
- Layer Tortillas: Arrange four corn tortillas in the baking dish, tearing them if needed to fit the shape evenly.
- Add Beef and Cheese: Spoon half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining four tortillas over the beef and cheese, then top with the rest of the beef mixture and remaining cheese.
- Add Sauce on Top: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the assembled casserole to cover evenly.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, but ensure the enchilada sauce is also gluten-free if needed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, add a layer of sour cream or refried beans before the cheese.
