If you’re in the mood for a delicious Tex-Mex dish for dinner, give this baked Beef Enchiladas recipe a try!
The truth is, I cannot hide my love for really, really good Mexican cuisine. In my (humble) opinion, one can never go wrong with a combination of meats, cheeses, and flavorful spices. While I love to order takeout from local Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, I also know that recipes like these beef enchiladas are easy to throw together and can feed my entire household with one DELICIOUS dish.
Enchiladas are a dish that is considered to be authentic Mexican cuisine. It’s believed the dish originated hundreds of years ago in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico, where the indigenous people began wrapping corn tortillas around fish for a meal. While traditional enchiladas use fried corn tortillas and shredded beef, pork, or chicken, the dish has evolved over time as it has adopted more “Tex-Mex” influences from other parts of the Southwest. For example, ground beef is often used instead of shredded meats, and soft, flour tortillas replace the traditional corn. This particular enchilada recipe is an “Americanized” Tex-Mex version of the dish, but feel free to swap out for more traditional ingredients if desired!
Although the recipe requires only 5 ingredients, every bite of these beef enchiladas will be bursting with flavor. Ground beef cooked with onion, smothered with enchilada sauce and cheddar cheese, all wrapped up in warm flour tortillas… it’s sure to be put on repeat as a favorite homemade dinner. Especially when paired with a fresh, homemade salsa. That’s a combo that just can’t miss!
Tortilla Prep is Key…
Although they might not be the star of the dish in terms of flavor, your tortillas are what you’d consider the “backbone” of your enchiladas. Regardless of whether you’re using flour or corn tortillas, you’ll want to take precautions that will prevent the wraps from tearing during the cooking process. In order to do this, the tortillas will have to be heated prior to being filled and assembled with the meat and enchilada sauce.
There are a couple ways to go about heating them, depending on your preference and/or available kitchen tools. One way is to brush the tortillas with oil and heat them in the microwave until they become steamy. The other is to heat each tortilla in a skillet for 3-5 seconds on each side. Whichever way you decide works best, remember that heating the tortillas up first will make them much easier to work with when assembling the enchiladas, making them less likely to tear into pieces before going into the oven.
FAQs & Tips
How Should I Store Beef Enchiladas?
After cooking, you can store your enchiladas by covering them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or placing them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days. They can also be frozen this way for up to 3 months.
Is This A Dish I Can Make Ahead?
To prep ahead of time, follow the recipe to fill, wrap, and place the enchiladas in your pan or casserole dish, WITHOUT covering with enchilada sauce and cheese. This will ensure they do not become soggy before baking. The prepped enchiladas can then be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, top enchiladas with remaining sauce and cheese and continue following directions for baking.
Are Enchiladas Gluten-Free?
This dish can absolutely be made gluten-free by using corn tortillas instead of flour, and choosing an enchilada sauce that is certified gluten-free.
Serving Suggestions
There are plenty of flavorful options that will pair well with beef enchiladas. Side dish suggestions include protein-packed Refried Beans, simple yet delicious Baked Rice, or a yummy Mexican Street Corn Salad. You can even serve it with a side of fresh avocado slices and dollops of homemade Mexican Crema.
No matter the side you choose, this dish is sure to be a hit around the dinner table and become a fast favorite with family and friends! If you’re in the mood for other Tex-Mex-inspired dinners, be sure to give these Texas Tacos or this Mexican Pulled Chicken a go next!
Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 20 oz enchilada sauce
- 8 flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onions are tender.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in 1 cup of enchilada sauce and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the beef mixture until well combined.
- Lay out the flour tortillas and distribute the beef mixture evenly along the center of each tortilla.
- Roll up the tortillas tightly and place them seam side down in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, making sure they are completely covered.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the sauce-covered tortillas.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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