When I was growing up in Texas, enchiladas were more than just dinner — they were the heart of family gatherings. My mom would fill the kitchen with the smell of simmering sauce, seasoned beef, and warm tortillas. We’d crowd around the table, each of us topping our plate with a little too much cheese, because there’s no such thing as “too cheesy” in our family.
Years later, after working in kitchens across the globe, I’ve brought that same feeling into my own home. These Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas are my go-to when I want something cozy, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing. They’re simple enough for a weeknight, but special enough for Sunday dinner.
What Are Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas?
They’re soft tortillas rolled around a savory ground beef filling, smothered in rich enchilada sauce, and topped with plenty of melted cheese. The combination of tender tortillas, spiced beef, and creamy cheese makes this dish irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Melty, gooey cheese in every bite.
- Perfect for meal prep — freezes well.
- Family-friendly flavor everyone enjoys.
- Customizable with your favorite toppings.
Tips for Making the Best Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Lightly fry or warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Season generously — the filling should be flavorful before baking.
- Don’t overbake — just heat through until cheese melts.
- Layer some sauce under and over the tortillas for extra moisture.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Foil for covering
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (red or green)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced olives
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the beef – In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Season – Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add ¼ cup enchilada sauce to keep filling moist.
- Prepare tortillas – Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Assemble – Spread ½ cup enchilada sauce in the baking dish. Fill each tortilla with beef mixture and a sprinkle of cheese, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the dish.
- Top – Pour remaining sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake – Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve – Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
You Must Know
- Corn tortillas give a more traditional flavor, but flour tortillas are softer.
- Homemade enchilada sauce makes a big difference in flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Top Tips for Perfecting This Recipe
- Add black beans or corn to the filling for more texture.
- Use half beef and half ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro over just before serving for brightness.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Store – Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat – Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes or microwave individual portions.
- Freeze – Wrap unbaked enchiladas tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
Helpful Notes
- You can make them spicier by adding chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack gives great flavor and melt.
- Perfect for doubling and freezing half for later.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Rick Bayless suggests dipping tortillas briefly in warm sauce before rolling for more flavor.
- Pati Jinich recommends using freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overstuffing tortillas – Leads to tearing.
- Too much sauce – Can make them soggy.
- Skipping the preheat – Cold ovens affect cooking time and texture.
FAQs
What kind of cheese do you put on enchiladas with beef?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend work best.
What is the secret to good enchiladas?
Warm tortillas, flavorful filling, and just enough sauce to keep them moist.
Why are they called divorced enchiladas?
They’re served with two different sauces — typically red and green — on the same plate.
What do you season ground beef with for enchiladas?
Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Conclusion
Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas bring together tender tortillas, savory beef, and gooey cheese in a way that’s comforting, filling, and perfect for sharing. Whether it’s Tuesday night or a family get-together, this recipe has a place on the table.
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Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 enchiladas 1x
Description
Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas are a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner featuring seasoned ground beef rolled in soft tortillas, smothered in enchilada sauce, and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (red or green)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced olives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add ¼ cup enchilada sauce to keep filling moist.
- Warm tortillas until pliable. Spread ½ cup enchilada sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Fill each tortilla with beef mixture and a sprinkle of cheese, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve with desired toppings.
Notes
Corn tortillas give a more traditional flavor, while flour tortillas offer a softer texture. Make ahead by assembling unbaked enchiladas, covering tightly, and refrigerating for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 enchilada
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 60
Keywords: cheesy ground beef enchiladas, beef enchiladas, enchilada recipe, Mexican-inspired dinner, weeknight meal
