Description
Hearty beef enchilada casserole delivers a delicious Mexican-inspired comfort meal packed with rich flavors and cheesy goodness. Layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a satisfying dinner you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound shredded cheese
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Sauce:
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 6 tortillas
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C), preparing a deep baking dish for layered enchilada casserole.
- Sauté ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic, incorporating cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until meat browns completely and develops rich, aromatic flavors.
- Create first layer in baking dish by spreading thin layer of enchilada sauce across bottom, then arrange tortilla pieces to cover sauce evenly.
- Spread seasoned beef mixture over tortilla layer, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
- Drizzle additional enchilada sauce across beef, then generously sprinkle shredded cheese to create a melty, indulgent layer.
- Repeat layering process – tortillas, beef, sauce, and cheese – building casserole until dish is nearly full, ensuring top layer is abundant with cheese.
- Transfer casserole to preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for cheese to become golden, bubbly, and slightly crisp around edges.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest 5-7 minutes, enabling layers to set and making serving easier and more structured.
- Slice and serve warm, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro or sour cream for added flavor complexity.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and choosing mild or spicy enchilada sauce to suit different taste preferences.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version or whole wheat tortillas for added nutrition and fiber.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the layering process and ensure even distribution of beef and cheese throughout the casserole.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like shredded chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based crumbles for versatile meal options that cater to various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg