This delicious Beef Enchilada Casserole comes together in about 40 minutes, yep, just half an hour! It’s all baked up in one dish, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredient Needed:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 lb ground beef: This is your base! You can swap it for ground turkey or even diced veggies if you’re feeling like mixing it up.
- 1 can red enchilada sauce (about 10 oz): This tangy sauce brings everything together with its vibrant flavors. You can even try green enchilada sauce if that’s more your vibe!
- 10 corn tortillas: These are the ultimate comfort in this casserole. You can also use flour tortillas if you prefer a softer texture.
- 2 cups shredded cheese: I usually opt for a blend of Mexican cheese, but feel free to use what you have on hand. More cheese = more happiness!
- 1/2 cup diced onion: This adds a nice crunch and a bit of sweetness once cooked.
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed: Adds protein and fiber, plus they’re super filling.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Because, honestly, can you ever have enough garlic?
- 1 teaspoon cumin: This warm spice is like a hug for your taste buds.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Just a couple of pinches to get everything tasting amazing!
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- If you’re vegetarian, consider using lentils or mushrooms instead of beef.
- Feel free to add in any leftover veggies, like bell peppers or zucchini, just chop them up small.
- If you’re trying to keep it a bit lighter, you can reduce the cheese or use a lower-fat version.
- Swap the black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans if that’s your thing, totally your call!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the first step towards casserole perfection!
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion, garlic powder, cumin, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Stirring frequently, you want to cook this until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once it’s cooked through (say goodbye to any pink!), drain any excess fat. This makes for a cleaner-tasting casserole, trust me!
- Now, let’s layer this baby. Grab a baking dish (about 9×13 inches) and layer the bottom with corn tortillas, overlapping them is totally fine.
- Spread half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, followed by a layer of drained and rinsed black beans, and then douse it all with a layer of enchilada sauce.
- What’s next? Add a generous layer of shredded cheese. Seriously, don’t be shy! Cheese makes everything better.
- Repeat those layers, so more tortillas, the rest of the beef, the black beans, enchilada sauce, and finally, finish with a glorious layer of cheese on top.
- Pop that baby in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese is all bubbly and golden. You’re gonna want to take a whiff of this, smells divine!
- Let it cool for just a few minutes before serving. It’ll be hard to wait, but it’ll hold its shape better!
If you loved this Beef Enchilada Casserole, be sure to check out my Steak Queso Rice or my Taco Bell Nacho Fries!
Why This Beef Enchilada Casserole Works
Quick & Easy
This comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for those busy evenings when you’re wondering what to make for dinner. Minimal prep, minimal fuss!
One-Pot Wonder
Everything bakes in just one dish, so cleanup is a breeze. You’ll spend more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing pots. Win-win!
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. You really can make this without a trip to the store if you play your cards right!
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is the ultimate comfort food that your family will absolutely love. There’s just something about melted cheese and enchilada sauce that gets everyone excited.
Customizable
Feeling adventurous? Switch up the beans, veggies, or even try different meats. I’ve had success with a chicken version too! It’s such a blank canvas for your culinary creativity.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Delicious Casserole
Pair this Beef Enchilada Casserole with your favorite toppings! I’m talking sour cream, ripe avocado slices, fresh cilantro, or even some spicy jalapeños! A side salad also complements it perfectly, you’ll balance that hearty dish with something fresh and crunchy.
How Long It Keeps
In the refrigerator, this casserole will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Trust me, it never lasts that long in my house!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it’s heated through, around 20 minutes, or you can microwave individual servings for about 1-2 minutes until hot.
Freezer Friendly
Yes, this casserole is freezer-friendly! Just wrap extras in plastic wrap and then seal them in a freezer bag. It’ll stay good for about 3 months in the freezer. To bake from frozen, just add an extra 15-20 minutes to your cook time.
Making this Beef Enchilada Casserole has become a cherished tradition in my household. I love the way it fills the kitchen with warmth and that comforting smell that draws everyone in. Funny story, once I made this with just random leftover veggies. I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out, but my kids couldn’t get enough! They even asked for it again the next week!
So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner solution that doesn’t skimp on flavor, you’ve got to try this Beef Enchilada Casserole. Oh! One more thing, don’t be afraid to make it your own! Food is all about making it fit your lifestyle and tastes. That’s where the magic really happens! Happy cooking, friends, and I’ll catch you next time! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Quick and Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A versatile and hearty beef enchilada casserole that comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can red enchilada sauce (about 10 oz)
- 10 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until the beef is browned and onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
- Drain any excess fat.
- Layer the bottom of a baking dish (about 9×13 inches) with corn tortillas.
- Spread half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, followed by a layer of black beans, and enchilada sauce.
- Add a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Paired excellently with sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro. Can be easily customized with different meats or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg