Name: Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp chili powder; 8 flour or corn tortillas; 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade); 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Jump to Recipe

Wondering what to make for dinner that’s equal parts comforting and crowd-pleasing? Let me introduce you to my absolute favorite Ground Beef Enchiladas—the ultimate weeknight dish that brings satisfying flavor, melty cheese, and a touch of cozy nostalgia straight to your table. These enchiladas combine savory spiced beef, gooey cheese, and zesty sauce all wrapped up in a soft tortilla blanket. Every bite will have you longing for just one more! Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving something warm and satisfying, Ground Beef Enchiladas never disappoint.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Ground Beef Enchiladas is how easily you can create so much flavor with a handful of simple, everyday ingredients. Each element plays its own delicious part—some bring spice, some add richness, and some make everything beautifully melty.

Lean ground beef: The heart of these enchiladas—full of flavor, easy to cook, and the perfect canvas for those savory spices.
Flour or corn tortillas: These will wrap up all that goodness; corn brings a classic texture, while flour gives you an extra-soft bite.
Enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade): Choose a sauce you love—the right enchilada sauce really makes these sing!
Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully over the top and inside, adding both flavor and a luscious, gooey finish.
Medium onion, diced: A flavor base that provides gentle sweetness and aroma to the beef filling.
Garlic cloves, minced: Brings bold, unmistakable flavor that blends perfectly with the spices.
Cumin: Adds that signature earthy, smoky note—an essential enchilada spice!
Chili powder: Lends beautiful color and just the right amount of warmth to balance the dish.
Sour cream (for topping): A cool, tangy finishing touch—don’t skip it!

How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Before you get started with your filling, set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This means it’ll be perfectly heated and ready for your assembled enchiladas, helping them cook evenly and brown just right.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onions

Grab your favorite skillet and heat it over medium. Add the ground beef and diced onion, then cook, breaking up the beef, until it’s brown and the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 to 7 minutes). This step creates a savory, aromatic base for our Ground Beef Enchiladas—don’t rush it!

Step 3: Season Your Filling

Add in the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Stir everything together and let it cook for about a minute—just until the garlic is fragrant and your kitchen smells heavenly. This is where the flavor magic truly happens!

Step 4: Fill and Roll the Tortillas

Now for the fun part: spoon the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, roll them up snugly, and place them seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Lining them up this way means every enchilada will soak up that glorious sauce later.

Step 5: Sauce and Cheese

Pour the enchilada sauce liberally over your rolled tortillas, making sure everyone gets a generous coating. Sprinkle that mountain of shredded cheese all over—you want gooey, golden goodness in every bite!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop your dish in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for those irresistible bubbly edges and a melted, slightly golden cheese topping. Take a peek at the end—if you like your cheese extra golden, pop under the broiler for a minute!

How to Serve Ground Beef Enchiladas

Garnishes

The finishing touches can turn Ground Beef Enchiladas into a real fiesta. A dollop of cool sour cream, a scattering of chopped fresh cilantro, or a slice of avocado can add color and brighten up every forkful. Even a squeeze of fresh lime over the top will make those flavors pop.

Side Dishes

These enchiladas are hearty enough to steal the show, but they’re even better with classic sides. Think fluffy Mexican rice, a quick black bean salad, or even a fresh pico de gallo. Need something cooling? A simple green salad with lime vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to wow your guests, try serving Ground Beef Enchiladas family-style in a colorful casserole dish or in individual ramekins for a personal touch. For party vibes, slice each enchilada in half and arrange on a platter with multiple dipping sauces—fun, festive, and finger-friendly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Ground Beef Enchiladas are a gift! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors only deepen overnight, so tomorrow’s lunch is just as exciting as dinner was.

Freezing

Want to stash some for a future craving? Let the enchiladas cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or place in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to two months. It’s like having a homemade comfort meal on standby!

Reheating

If refrigerated, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave or pop the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat covered to keep the enchiladas moist and tender.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely! Both ground turkey and chicken work beautifully in Ground Beef Enchiladas, absorbing the seasonings and sauce just as well as beef. It’s a lighter twist that’s just as satisfying.

What’s better: corn or flour tortillas?

It’s a matter of taste! Corn tortillas offer more traditional flavor and texture, while flour tortillas are softer and easier to roll. Feel free to use whichever you love—or a mix for variety!

How can I make these spicier?

Spice lovers can add extra chili powder to the meat, stir in a chopped jalapeño with the onions, or choose a hot enchilada sauce. A sprinkle of diced fresh chilies as a garnish is a bold way to finish, too!

Can I make Ground Beef Enchiladas ahead for a party?

Definitely. Assemble everything up to a day in advance, cover and refrigerate the unbaked enchiladas, then bake them fresh before serving. They’re a fantastic make-ahead dish for guests.

What’s the best way to keep enchiladas from getting soggy?

Don’t go overboard with the sauce inside the tortillas; just enough to coat. Pour the bulk over the top, and bake uncovered so the cheese and sauce have a chance to bubble and thicken. This method gives you the perfect saucy-yet-structured Ground Beef Enchiladas every time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a comforting meal that’s easy enough for weeknights but delicious enough for special occasions, give these Ground Beef Enchiladas a try. Gather your ingredients, roll them up, and share the warmth around your table—you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 15 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Ground Beef Enchiladas are a delicious and satisfying Tex-Mex dish that is perfect for a family dinner. Savory seasoned beef, onions, and garlic rolled in tortillas, smothered in enchilada sauce, and baked with cheese until bubbly and golden brown.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ground Beef Filling:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder

For the Enchiladas:

8 flour or corn tortillas
2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onions until translucent (5-7 minutes).
Season the beef: Add minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder; sauté for another minute.
Fill the tortillas: Spoon the beef mixture onto each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
Add sauce and cheese: Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

Feel free to customize these enchiladas with your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or black olives.
You can use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Tex-Mex