Ingredients
15 ounces enchilada sauce (preferably homemade)
1 tablespoon oil
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds organic lean ground beef or leftover cooked diced/shredded beef
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (15-ounce) can pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles or substitute with diced jalapeño for more heat
8 large flour or corn tortillas
3 cups shredded cheese (preferably Pepper Jack or Mexican blend; use vegan cheese for dairy-free)
chopped fresh cilantro
sliced avocado
diced red onion
sliced radishes
fresh or pickled jalapeños
sour cream or Mexican crema
crumbled cotija cheese
extra cheese
Sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
1- Creating beef enchiladas is a fun and rewarding process that starts with simple steps in the kitchen. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C), as this sets the stage for even baking. Brown the ground beef in a skillet with oil, onion, and garlic to build a savory base that’s packed with flavor.
2- Once the beef is ready, mix in beans and spices for added texture and taste. This guide walks you through each part, including tips for dietary swaps like using plant-based options. Follow along to turn basic ingredients into a warm, cheesy meal that the whole family will love.
3- Before you start, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and measured out. This includes dicing the onion and mincing the garlic to save time during cooking. Having everything ready helps the process flow smoothly, especially on busy days.
4- Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onion and garlic until they’re soft, which takes about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cumin, cooking and crumbling it until it’s fully browned, around 5 minutes. Then, stir in the beans and green chiles, seasoning with salt and pepper for that perfect balance.
5-1. Prepare sauce: Use homemade enchilada sauce or a pre-made red version.
6-2. Cook beef mixture: Sauté onion, garlic, beef, and spices in a skillet.
7-3. Assemble enchiladas: Spread sauce on tortillas, add filling and cheese, then roll.
8-4. Bake: Pour sauce over rolled enchiladas and bake for 20 minutes.
9- After preparing the filling, spread sauce in a baking dish and fill the tortillas. Roll them up and bake until everything is bubbly and golden. This method, which takes about 60 minutes total, yields a dish that’s ready to serve with your favorite toppings. For instance, the recipe provides eight servings, making it great for leftovers or sharing.
10- To make it vegetarian, skip the beef and use beans as the main protein. For dairy-free, swap in vegan cheese and enjoy the same cheesy goodness. These tweaks keep the steps simple while fitting different diets.
11- Now, let’s look at how to assemble and bake. First, lay out the tortillas and add the filling, then roll and place them in the dish. Baking brings it all together, creating that irresistible crispy edge. You’ll end up with a meal that’s not only tasty but also adaptable to your routine.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌶️ To prevent tortilla tearing, flash-fry corn tortillas or dip them briefly in warm sauce before assembling.
🥑 Use a variety of fresh toppings like avocado, cilantro, and pickled jalapeños to enhance flavor and presentation.
❄️ Assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze uncooked for up to 3 months for convenient meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Customizable for vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 enchilada
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
