Ultimate Ground Beef Enchiladas: Your Go-To Recipe for Easy, Cheesy & Freezer-Friendly Dinners

There’s nothing quite like a comforting dish that brings the family together, and these **Ground Beef Enchiladas** are exactly that! Featuring a rich, homemade sauce and tender corn tortillas generously filled with seasoned ground beef, this recipe is destined to become a staple in your kitchen. Forget about bland, store-bought sauces – our simple yet flavorful enchilada sauce elevates this dish to new heights. Plus, if you’re a fan of convenient meal prep, you’ll love that these enchiladas are incredibly freezer-friendly, making them perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests. Get ready to wrap up some serious flavor!

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⏲️ Time Needed to Make Delicious Enchiladas

One of the best features of this ground beef enchilada recipe is its efficiency. You’ll spend roughly 20 minutes on prep work, which includes making the sauce and browning the beef. The baking time is a quick 20-25 minutes, bringing your total time commitment to just about 45 minutes from start to finish. This makes it an ideal option for a satisfying meal even on busy weeknights when time is a precious commodity.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Ground Beef Enchiladas

Crafting the perfect enchiladas starts with quality ingredients. This recipe is divided into two main components: the homemade sauce and the savory beef filling, topped with cheese and olives.

For the Homemade Enchilada Sauce:

• Water: The base for our flavorful sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides a rich, tangy foundation for the enchilada sauce.
• Chili Powder: The star spice, delivering classic Tex-Mex warmth and depth. Adjust to your preferred spice level.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
• Garlic Cloves (minced): Fresh garlic is key for an aromatic and vibrant sauce.

For the Hearty Ground Beef Filling & Toppings:

• Ground Beef: Choose a lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) for a less greasy filling.
• Onion (chopped): Adds sweetness and aromatic flavor to the beef filling.
• Oregano: A classic herb that complements the beef and chili flavors beautifully.
• Garlic Salt (to taste): A convenient way to add both garlic flavor and seasoning to your beef. You can also use garlic powder and regular salt separately.
• Soft Corn Tortillas: The foundation of your enchiladas. Look for “super soft” varieties to prevent tearing.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a creamy, tangy layer of deliciousness. Feel free to use a Mexican blend or Monterey Jack.
• Sliced Black Olives: An optional but classic topping that adds a briny contrast.

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions to Assemble Your Enchiladas

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious pan of ground beef enchiladas:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook gently while you prepare the rest of the enchiladas. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
2. Cook the Ground Beef Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Break up the beef with a spoon as it browns. Season generously with oregano and garlic salt. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
3. Assemble the Enchiladas: Take a soft corn tortilla and place a generous spoonful of the cooked ground beef and onion mixture down the center.
4. Roll and Arrange: Carefully roll up the tortilla, securing the filling inside. Place the rolled enchilada seam-side down in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Repeat: Continue this process, filling and rolling the remaining tortillas, until your baking dish is full or all the filling is used.
6. Sauce, Cheese, and Olives: Once all enchiladas are arranged, pour the simmering homemade enchilada sauce evenly over the top. Then, sprinkle generously with the shredded cheddar cheese and scatter the sliced black olives over the cheese.
7. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the enchiladas for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the enchiladas are heated through.

💭 Pro Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Enchiladas Every Time

Achieving enchilada perfection is easy with a few insider tricks:

• Tortilla Troubles? Corn tortillas can sometimes be a bit brittle and prone to breaking when rolled. To avoid this, look for brands specifically labeled “super soft corn tortillas.” If you still encounter breakage, here are two effective solutions:
  • Sauce Dip: Briefly dip each corn tortilla into the warm enchilada sauce before filling and rolling. This makes them more pliable.
  • Microwave Steam: Stack a few tortillas, cover them with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-15 seconds. The steam will soften them significantly.
• Spice It Up (or Down): Adjust the amount of chili powder in the sauce to match your heat preference. For extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the beef filling. For a milder flavor, use less chili powder.
• Cheese, Please! While cheddar is a classic, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
• Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by adding diced bell peppers, corn, or black beans to your ground beef filling. Sauté them with the onion.
• Make Ahead Option: You can assemble the enchiladas (without baking) up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.

❄️ Freezer Instructions: Prep Ahead for Easy Weeknight Meals

This ground beef enchilada recipe is an absolute champion when it comes to freezer meals. Preparing a batch (or even a double batch!) for the freezer means you’re just a thaw and bake away from a delicious homemade dinner.

Here’s how to freeze your enchiladas effectively:

1. Assemble (Unbaked): Prepare the enchiladas as directed in the instructions, but do not bake them. Place the filled and rolled enchiladas into a freezer-safe and oven-safe baking pan.
2. Separate Components: Package the sauce, shredded cheese, and sliced black olives in separate, airtight containers or freezer bags. You want to add these fresh when you’re ready to bake.
3. Cover and Seal: Tightly cover the pan of unbaked enchiladas with a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn.
4. Label Clearly: Label the pan and the separate components with the date and cooking instructions. A good label would be:
   “Ground Beef Enchiladas – Date: [Insert Date] – To cook: Thaw completely. Pour sauce over enchiladas, top with cheese and olives. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.”
5. Freeze: Place the well-wrapped enchiladas in the freezer. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months.

Full Recipe Details

Ground Beef Enchiladas

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Homemade sauce and hearty corn tortillas are the stars of these ground beef enchiladas. These are a great dish for the freezer, too!

AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Servings 10 enchiladas

Calories 404

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups water
• 8 ounces can tomato sauce
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Enchiladas:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Garlic salt to taste
• 10 soft white corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces can sliced black olives

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Instructions

• Combine all sauce ingredients and simmer while preparing the rest of the enchiladas as directed below.
• Brown ground beef and onion seasoned with oregano and garlic salt in a skillet until done.
• Place meat filling in the middle of the tortilla. Roll up and place in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
• Repeat until all tortillas are used or dish is full.
• Pour sauce on top and cover with cheese and olives.
• Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Notes

Look for corn tortillas labeled as “super soft” to avoid issues with the tortillas breaking when you assemble the enchiladas. If your tortillas are breaking when you roll them, you can either dip them into the enchilada sauce before filling, or you can steam them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds covered with a damp paper towel.

To freeze enchiladas, place filled enchiladas in a freezer- and oven-safe pan and cover with foil. Package sauce, cheese, and olives separately and assemble before cooking. Label with “Ground Beef Enchiladas: Thaw completely, pour sauce over enchiladas, and top with cheese and olives. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.”

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 404 calCarbohydrates: 16 gProtein: 34 gFat: 23 gSodium: 879 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 2 gNet Carbohydrates: 13 g

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🥗 Perfect Side Dishes for Your Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a complete meal on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can elevate the entire dining experience. Here are some of our favorite accompaniments:

• Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice: A classic choice that adds a flavorful, starchy balance to the richness of the enchiladas. Its vibrant flavors and fluffy texture are a perfect match.
• Refried Beans: Creamy, savory refried beans are a staple side, offering a satisfying texture and earthy flavor that complements the beef.
• Fresh Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast, cutting through the richness of the cheese and sauce.
• Guacamole and Salsa: Offer a bowl of fresh guacamole and your favorite salsa for dipping or topping. The creamy avocado and tangy salsa add bright, fresh notes.
• Pico de Gallo: A simple, fresh pico de gallo (diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice) offers a burst of freshness and a slight kick.
• Sour Cream or Mexican Crema: A dollop of cool sour cream or Mexican crema on top of the hot enchiladas can provide a lovely creamy finish and balance the spice.

🔄 Enchilada Variations to Try

While this ground beef recipe is a winner, enchiladas are incredibly versatile! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and sauces:

• Chicken Enchiladas: Shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works perfectly!) can easily replace the ground beef. Pair with a green chili sauce or a creamy white sauce.
• Bean and Cheese Enchiladas: For a vegetarian option, combine mashed black beans or pinto beans with corn, bell peppers, and plenty of cheese.
• Vegetable Enchiladas: Sautéed zucchini, corn, bell peppers, and spinach make a delicious and healthy filling.
• Spicy Enchiladas: Amp up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or serrano peppers to the beef filling, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Creamy Enchiladas: Mix a bit of cream cheese or sour cream into your beef filling for extra creaminess, or add a touch of heavy cream to your sauce.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Beef Enchiladas

Here are answers to some common questions you might have:

• Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn? While corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas and hold their shape well, you can use soft flour tortillas if you prefer. They tend to be a bit softer and easier to roll without pre-steaming.
• How long do cooked enchiladas last in the fridge? Leftover baked enchiladas will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.
• Can I make the sauce ahead of time? Absolutely! The homemade enchilada sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
• What kind of ground beef is best? We recommend using a lean ground beef (like 90/10 or 85/15) to prevent the enchiladas from becoming too greasy. If you use a fattier cut, make sure to drain the grease thoroughly after browning.

🎉 Enjoy Your Homemade Ground Beef Enchiladas!

This ground beef enchilada recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. From the rich, homemade sauce to the satisfyingly seasoned beef and the perfectly melted cheese, every bite is a celebration of flavor. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner, a special gathering, or prepping it for the freezer, these enchiladas are sure to impress. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a dish that everyone will adore. Happy cooking!

📌 Pin This Recipe for Later!

Loved this recipe? Don’t forget to save it for future cooking adventures! Pin this image to your favorite Pinterest boards and share it with friends and family who appreciate a good, hearty Tex-Mex meal.