Juicy Beef Enchilada Casserole With Corn Tortillas Recipe
Comfort meets creativity in this hearty beef enchilada casserole that promises to transport you straight to a cozy kitchen in mexico.
Layers of tender meat, melted cheese, and soft corn tortillas create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.
Spices dance across each bite, telling a story of culinary tradition and home-style cooking.
Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Melted cheese bubbles invitingly, promising a rich and satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Rich, savory notes blend seamlessly with a hint of warmth from carefully selected spices.
Anyone can master this recipe, turning an ordinary evening into a delicious celebration of mexican-inspired cuisine.
Grab a fork and get ready to savor every single, incredible bite.
Beef Enchilada Casserole With Corn Tortillas Flavor
What You’ll Need For Beef Enchilada Casserole
For the Protein:For the Base:For the Flavor Enhancers:For the Saucy Components:For the Cheese and Toppings:For the Optional Serving Sides:Beef Enchilada Casserole With Corn Tortillas Steps
Step 1: Fire Up the Oven
Preheat your oven to a toasty 375F (190C) to create the perfect cooking environment for this delicious dish.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown color.
Drain away any excess fat to keep the dish light and delicious.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Add these ingredients to the skillet:Cook until the onions become soft and translucent.
Sprinkle in:Stir everything together to create a mouthwatering flavor explosion.
Step 4: Create the Saucy Mixture
Pour in:Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
Step 5: Layer the Foundation
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of the beef mixture across the bottom, creating a flavorful base.
Step 6: First Enchilada Layer
Arrange the first layer with:Cover the beef mixture completely with these delicious ingredients.
Step 7: Repeat the Layering Magic
Add another round of:Creating a delectable tower of flavors.
Step 8: Final Cheese Topping
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Optional: Add sliced black olives for extra pizzazz.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Look for bubbly edges and golden, melted cheese.
Step 10: Serve and Garnish
Finish with a sprinkle of:Serve alongside:Best Tips For Beef Enchilada Casserole Results
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Perfect Pairings With Beef Enchilada Casserole
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FAQs
While you can use flour tortillas, corn tortillas provide a more authentic Mexican flavor and better texture for this enchilada casserole. Corn tortillas also hold up better during baking and absorb the sauce nicely.
The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from the taco seasoning and green chilies. You can control the spiciness by choosing mild taco seasoning or reducing the amount of chili powder. For extra heat, add jalapeños or use a spicy enchilada sauce.
Yes, replace the ground beef with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, black beans, or vegetarian meat substitutes. Ensure you keep the same spice and sauce proportions for maximum flavor.
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Mighty Beef Enchilada Casserole With Corn Tortillas Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty beef enchilada casserole delivers Mexican comfort in one satisfying dish. Layers of seasoned beef, melted cheese, and corn tortillas create a robust meal that brings warmth and flavor to family dinner tables.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
- 1 can (15 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped cilantro or green onions
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Salsa
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, thoroughly draining any excess fat.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution of spices.
- Pour diced tomatoes with green chilies and enchilada sauce into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Create the first base layer in the baking dish by spreading a thin coat of the seasoned beef mixture.
- Arrange the first set of corn tortillas directly over the beef layer, covering the entire surface.
- Distribute half of the black beans evenly across the tortillas, then generously sprinkle one cup of shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining beef mixture, tortillas, black beans, and another cup of cheese.
- Garnish the casserole’s top with remaining cheese and optional sliced black olives.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden-brown crust.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro or green onions and serve alongside sour cream, avocado, and salsa.
Notes
- Corn tortillas provide an authentic Mexican flavor and gluten-free option, but quickly warm them in a skillet before layering to prevent breaking.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure a crispy, well-textured dish.
- Use a blend of Mexican cheeses like Monterey Jack and cheddar for deeper flavor complexity and better melting performance.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jack Monroe
Founder & Recipe Innovator
Expertise
Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food
Education
Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education
Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.