This Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole is cheesy, saucy, and easy to make! With simple ingredients, minimal prep, and no rolling required, it’s the perfect comforting weeknight meal.
Should You Make This?
Simple Ingredients: Made with ground beef, onion, bell pepper, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, canned beans, tortillas, and cheese. No fancy ingredients are needed.
Quick Prep: This recipe takes about 30 minutes to assemble, 20 minutes to bake, and 10 minutes to cool.
Convenient: These are much easier to make than traditional Ground Beef Enchiladas, no rolling required, just layer and bake!
Sound Good? Jump to Recipe ⬇Ingredients and Substitutions
Ground Beef – I prefer 90% lean, so there's little to no excess fat to drain. You can also use ground turkey or shredded chicken to make a Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Taco Seasoning – Use a store-bought packet or make your own. I included a simple homemade taco seasoning in the recipe.
Enchilada Sauce – I like using my own Homemade Enchilada Sauce. It takes 15 minutes. If you’re short on time, Siete enchilada sauce is my go-to store brand. Green enchilada sauce works too, but red pairs best with beef.
Black Beans – Swap for your favorite beans or omit them. You can also substitute with a can of corn for a different texture.
Tortillas – Corn tortillas hold up best and add great flavor. Flour tortillas will create a softer, more lasagna-like texture.
Cheese – Use cheddar, pepper jack for spice, queso fresco for a traditional touch, or mozzarella for extra meltiness.
How to Make Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
Step 1 | Cook the Beef
Brown the ground beef with onion and bell pepper in a skillet, then drain if needed. Stir in taco seasoning, ¼ cup water, black beans, and 1 ½ cups of enchilada sauce.
Step 2 | Layer the Casserole
Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 6 tortillas, half the beef mixture, and 1 cup of cheese. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, beef, and cheese.
Step 3 | Bake & Cool
Bake at 375F for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Variations
Add More Veggies - You can add diced jalapeños or sliced mushrooms to the ground beef while it's cooking. You can also stir in corn after the beef is done.
Swap Protein - Turn this into a Chicken Enchilada Casserole or use ground turkey as a lighter alternative to beef.
Canned Green Chilies - Personally, I found that canned green chilies made the casserole a bit too acidic for my taste. But if you love that tangy kick, feel free to mix it in a can of the stuff with the cooked ground beef.
Flour Tortillas - You can use flour tortillas, but they absorb more enchilada sauce, making the casserole softer and chewier. For a sturdier texture and a more traditional flavor, use corn tortillas.
Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 90% lean
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced added
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 1 batch of Homemade Taco Seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Cilantro for garnish
Homemade Taco Seasoning (if not using a packet)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until browned. Breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup water. Stir to coat the meat evenly.
- Stir in the black beans and 1 ½ cups of enchilada sauce. Remove from heat.
- Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange 6 corn tortillas in a single layer (see post for how to arrange them).
- Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the beef mixture.
- Repeat with the remaining 6 tortillas, the rest of the beef mixture, and the remaining 1 ½ cups of cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
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Stephanie says
Easy, good-tasting recipe! I think it could use a little something to add to flavor, like green chilies or a spice to add touch of heat (I also used mild/ not enough enchilada sauce). This is also a great recipe for kids!