EASY GROUND BEEF ENCHILADAS

If you love bold flavors but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas are about to become your new weeknight hero. This simple, no-fuss recipe uses pantry ingredients, melty cheese, and tender tortillas rolled around seasoned beef to create a comforting dish everyone looks forward to. The best part? These Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas taste like something you’d get at a cozy Mexican restaurant, but you can make them at home with minimal effort.

What I love most about this dish is how quickly it comes together. You brown the beef, stir in a few simple spices, add sauce, wrap everything in tortillas, cover with even more sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbling. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a win on a busy night when you just want something warm, filling, and satisfying.

These enchiladas also work well for meal prepping. They reheat beautifully, freeze without issues, and can be customized based on what you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, hungry teens, or guests, this recipe never disappoints. The flavor is rich, the texture is perfect, and the whole dish brings that comforting homemade feel to your dinner table.

If you’ve been looking for a go-to beef enchilada recipe that’s easy, reliable, and seriously good, this one checks every box.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Servings: 6–8 enchiladas


What Makes These Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Special?

This recipe stands out for several reasons, making it a must-try:

Bold flavor with simple ingredients
You don’t need special spices or hard-to-find items. A few everyday seasonings bring a deep, rich taste.

Quick weeknight-friendly cooking
From stovetop to oven, this dish comes together fast. It’s perfect for nights when you want real comfort food without spending all evening cooking.

Customizable and forgiving
Swap ingredients, adjust spice levels, change sauces, or use different cheeses. This recipe still turns out great.

Amazing leftovers
These enchiladas reheat beautifully and make even better leftovers the next day.

Time-saving techniques
Use pre-shredded cheese, canned enchilada sauce, and soft flour tortillas to speed up the process without sacrificing flavor.


Ingredient Notes

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and why they matter:

Ground beef
Adds rich flavor and a hearty texture. Use 80/20 for best taste, but lean beef also works.

Onion
Adds sweetness and depth. You can use yellow, white, or even pre-chopped frozen onions.

Garlic
Fresh or jarred works. It boosts the savory flavor of the meat mixture.

Enchilada sauce
Red enchilada sauce gives classic flavor. Both mild and medium work well. You can also use homemade if you prefer.

Flour or corn tortillas
Flour tortillas are soft and easy to roll. Corn tortillas give a more traditional taste. Warm them to prevent tearing.

Shredded cheese
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend melts beautifully. Use what you have.

Taco seasoning or spices
Season the beef with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. A packet of taco seasoning works as a shortcut.

Oil
A small amount used for cooking the onions and beef.

Fresh toppings
Cilantro, sour cream, avocado, green onions, or lime brighten the final dish.

Special equipment
A 9×13 baking dish works best for assembling the enchiladas.


How To Make Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas

  1. Preheat the oven
    Set your oven to 375°F. This helps the enchiladas bake evenly and melt the cheese perfectly.

  2. Cook the beef
    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease so the filling stays light and not greasy.

  3. Add onion and garlic
    Stir in chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. This builds flavor and adds a nice texture.

  4. Season the beef
    Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, or taco seasoning. Stir well. The mixture should smell bold and fragrant. Cook for another minute to bloom the spices.

  5. Add enchilada sauce
    Pour in half a cup of enchilada sauce and mix it into the beef. This keeps the filling moist and flavorful.

  6. Warm the tortillas
    Warm your tortillas for 20–30 seconds in the microwave. Warm tortillas roll more easily and won’t crack.

  7. Fill and roll
    Add 2–3 tablespoons of beef mixture plus a pinch of cheese to each tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.

  8. Add sauce and cheese
    Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Add a generous layer of shredded cheese over the top.

  9. Bake
    Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Look for golden edges and a fully heated center.

  10. Serve
    Top with cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or anything you like. Serve warm.


Storage Options

Room temperature
Keep leftovers out for no more than two hours.

Refrigerator
Store enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer
Freeze cooked enchiladas for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly and freeze in portions.

Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes.


Variations and Substitutions

Cheesy beef and bean enchiladas
Add refried beans or black beans to stretch the filling.

Creamy enchiladas
Mix a little cream cheese into the beef for a richer result.

Green enchiladas
Swap red sauce for green sauce.

Spicy version
Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or hot enchilada sauce.

Low-carb option
Use low-carb tortillas or turn it into a baked casserole instead of rolled enchiladas.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use corn tortillas?
Yes, but warm them first so they don’t crack.

Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Assemble, refrigerate, and bake within 24 hours.

Can I freeze them before baking?
Yes. Just add sauce right before baking to prevent sogginess.

Why are my tortillas breaking?
They need to be warmed before rolling.

What cheese is best?
Mexican blend melts beautifully, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack all work well.

Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Bell peppers, corn, or zucchini all work great.


Warm Conclusion

These Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas bring comfort, bold flavor, and simplicity to your dinner table. They’re the kind of meal you’ll make once and come back to again because they’re reliable, delicious, and family-friendly. I hope you give them a try and share your experience — I can’t wait to hear how they turn out in your kitchen.

Print

EASY GROUND BEEF ENCHILADAS

These easy ground beef enchiladas come together fast with simple pantry ingredients. Tender tortillas are filled with seasoned beef, topped with red enchilada sauce, and baked with cheese until bubbly. A perfect weeknight comfort meal.

  • Author: Elvaya Creston
  • Prep Time: 15min
  • Cook Time: 25min
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 enchiladas

Ingredients

Ground beef
Onion
Garlic
Red enchilada sauce
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Chili powder
Cumin
Paprika
Salt
Pepper

Instructions

Cook beef and drain. Add onions, garlic, and seasoning. Stir in a little enchilada sauce. Fill warm tortillas with beef and cheese. Roll and place in a baking dish. Cover with enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.

Notes

Warm tortillas to prevent tearing. Add beans or veggies if desired.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 340
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Protein: 21g

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