Beef Enchiladas

This easy dinner recipe is always a hit with the family! Easy Beef Enchiladas have soft tortillas filled with ground beef, cheese and green chiles that are covered with enchilada sauce and more cheese.

These are my favorite simple ground beef enchiladas that are super kid-friendly. They have a green chile beef filling and are topped with lots of enchilada sauce and cheese. Homemade enchiladas are always a family favorite.

This is a super quick dinner and is a great make-ahead freezer meal. Everyone loves cheesy beef enchiladas, and you’re going to love how easy they are to make!

Why You Will Love This Easy Recipe

• When I say these are easy, I mean it – you only need five ingredients! This is a super easy beef enchilada recipe to make and even keep the ingredients on hand to make them whenever you want.
• Green chiles add so much flavor to this ground beef enchilada recipe. These are restaurant quality enchiladas.
• You only need 15 minutes of prep time to make this easy dish. The total time is about an hour, but most of that is hands off bake time.

Ingredients For Beef Enchiladas

• Ground beef – Ground beef is the most common type of beef used in enchiladas, but you can also use shredded beef or steak. It is also a great way to repurpose leftover beef! Just make sure the beef is cooked and mixed with the green chiles before adding it to the tortillas. I do recommend using lean ground beef so that the enchiladas are not too greasy.
• Red enchilada sauce – Use your favorite store bought sauce or make homemade enchilada sauce. This is an easy way to control the level of “heat” in your enchiladas too.
• Canned diced green chiles – I buy the mild chiles for the kiddos, but you can use the spicy ones if you like a little heat.
• Soft taco shells – I use 6-inch flour tortillas, but you can use corn tortillas if you prefer. Corn tortillas are more traditional in Mexican cuisine and can add a different flavor and texture to the enchiladas.
• Shredded cheddar cheese – Or use shredded Mexican blend cheese. You can also use monterey jack, queso fresco, or any other cheese that you like. The more cheese, the better and fresh grated cheese will be more melty and gooey than pre-shredded!

What Else Can I Add To Beef Enchiladas?

You can add black beans, pinto beans, or other beans that you like. Add chopped cilantro and green onion to the filling or diced veggies like onions and bell peppers. Just keep in mind, the more you add the more enchiladas you’ll get!

Variations

Mix and match these ingredients to create endless combinations of flavors and textures. Experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to find your perfect enchilada recipe.

• Chicken Enchiladas: Simply substitute the beef with shredded chicken for a lighter option.
• Turkey Enchiladas: Use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or ground turkey for a leaner alternative to beef.
• Pork Enchiladas: For a more tender and juicy filling, swap ground beef for shredded pork.
• Cheesy Enchiladas: Add extra cheese to the filling or sprinkle it on top for a more indulgent dish.
• Spicy or Mild Enchiladas: Adjust the heat level by using more or less chili powder or adding jalapeños or other peppers.
• Green Enchilada Sauce: Use green enchilada sauce instead of red for a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.

How to Make Beef Enchiladas

Brown the ground beef in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and then drain off the excess grease.

Add a 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce to the meat mixture along with the green chiles. Stir to combine.

Spread a 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce in the prepared baking dish.

Spoon 1/4 cup of the beef mixture down the center of a tortilla. Top it with one tablespoon of shredded cheese. Wrap the tortilla around the filling and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.

Pour the rest of the sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake the beef enchiladas for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are hot and bubbly. Cool them at room temperature for five minutes before serving.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Place any leftover enchiladas in an airtight container and they will keep well for up three to four days.

Freezer: Make the ground beef enchiladas according to instructions, but don’t bake them. Wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap or foil and then place in the freezer. When you are ready to bake, just preheat the oven and pop in as normal. You will likely need to add on a few minutes of cook time.

To reheat beef enchiladas, cover and place in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also heat them covered in the microwave.

Can I Make Beef Enchiladas Ahead Of Time?

You can assemble the enchiladas a day in advance to bake later. If you do this, you may need to add some more enchilada sauce on top before they go in the oven. The tortillas will absorb it, so add a little more so they’re nice and saucy!

The whole family will love when you make this beef enchilada recipe! The flavors are great and it’s so easy, you’ll keep it in your permanent dinner rotation. Enjoy!

How To Serve Beef Enchiladas

Set out topping options on the supper table and give everyone the chance to customize their own beef enchiladas. Of course, you need some sour cream, guacamole, homemade salsa, green salsa, or pico de gallo. Add some chips on the side for scooping!

Diced avocado, fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and red onions or sliced green onions also make delicious toppings for these beef enchiladas.

I always like to have a simple side like Mexican rice with enchiladas to round out the meal.

More Great Enchilada Recipes

• Creamy homemade sauce and tender, flavorful shrimp make for a great Tex-Mex meal. Shrimp Enchiladas are great for meatless Monday or any busy weeknight!
• Switch it up from the traditional red enchilada sauce and top enchiladas with a seasoned sour cream. Creamy Chicken Enchiladas are loaded with chicken and cream cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
• For a unique brunch idea, try Overnight Baked Breakfast Enchiladas. Do all of the prep work before you head to bed and in the morning, all you have to do is put your casserole dish in the oven to warm up. The result is a filling breakfast of tortillas stuffed with sausage, bacon, eggs and cheese.
• Give something new a try and make Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Dip. It is the perfect appetizer to bring to your next pot luck. This mouthwatering dip has the creamiest base and is full of flavor thanks to enchilada sauce, tomatoes, chicken, taco seasoning, cheese and chiles. You won’t want to share.