Zesty Beef Enchiladas Recipe: Your Homemade Fiesta Favorite

Crispy tortillas wrapped around succulent beef enchiladas dance with zesty flavors that promise a delightful meal.

Layers of melted cheese and tender meat create a mouthwatering experience.

Mexican cuisine brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Spices blend seamlessly, telling a story of tradition and passion.

Each bite carries the warmth of home-cooked goodness.

Bold ingredients come together in a symphony of taste.

Come hungry and leave satisfied with this irresistible culinary adventure.

Flavor Variations for Beef Enchiladas

• Vegetarian Enchiladas: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a hearty plant-based version.
• Chicken Enchiladas: Swap ground beef with shredded cooked chicken breast seasoned with the same spices for a lighter protein option.
• Gluten-Free Enchiladas: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and ensure enchilada sauce is gluten-free. Check all spice labels for potential gluten contamination.
• Spicy Southwest Enchiladas: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, or chipotle peppers to the beef mixture for an extra kick of heat and smoky flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Enchiladas

• Fiesta Night Plating: Arrange enchiladas on a vibrant ceramic plate with fresh cilantro sprigs scattered around for a pop of color and herbal aroma.
• Creamy Cool Companions: Top enchiladas with dollops of sour cream, creating a tangy contrast to the rich, spicy beef filling that balances each savory bite.
• Fresh Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle diced fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro over the enchiladas to add brightness, crunch, and extra layers of fresh flavor that complement the warm, cheesy dish.
• Zesty Side Kick: Serve with a quick Mexican-style rice or simple black beans to round out the meal and provide a delicious accompaniment that soaks up the enchilada sauce perfectly.

Storage Tips for Beef Enchiladas

• Transfer leftover enchiladas to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual enchiladas or the entire dish in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place enchiladas in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese and restore texture.

FAQs

• What ingredients give these enchiladas their authentic flavor?

The combination of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano creates a rich, traditional Mexican-style seasoning that brings depth and warmth to the beef filling.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, ground turkey or shredded chicken work perfectly as substitutes for ground beef while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.

• How do I prevent my tortillas from breaking while rolling?

Slightly warming the tortillas makes them more flexible and less likely to crack when you roll the enchiladas, ensuring a neat and tidy presentation.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The dish has a mild to moderate spice level from the chili powder and spices. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less chili powder to suit your taste preferences.

Beef Enchiladas Highlights

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Packed with rich, bold flavors that satisfy everyone from kids to adults, these beef enchiladas deliver a delicious Mexican-inspired meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: Prepare this recipe with minimal ingredients and simple steps, making it perfect for busy families who want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for chicken, adding extra spices, or including fresh toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or diced jalapeños to suit personal taste preferences.
• One-Dish Wonder: Simplify meal preparation and cleanup with this single-pan recipe that combines protein, cheese, and tortillas into a complete, mouthwatering dinner solution.

Ingredients for Beef Enchiladas

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that forms the core of the enchiladas.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Salt, Pepper: A robust spice mix that adds depth and warmth to the beef filling.

• Enchilada Sauce: A tangy and rich sauce that coats and enhances the enchiladas.
• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Creamy and melty cheeses that provide a delicious, gooey texture and rich flavor.

• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour tortillas that serve as the wrapper for the beef filling.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add complexity and depth to the beef mixture.

How to Prepare Beef Enchiladas

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Get your oven ready by setting it to 375°F (190°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef until it turns a rich brown color.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until the vegetables become soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Spice Up the Meat

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and cook for a quick minute to release the spices’ aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Base

Pour enchilada sauce into the beef mixture and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat and let the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Roll the Enchiladas

Gently warm the tortillas to make them more flexible.

Spread a generous portion of the beef mixture onto each tortilla.

• Cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese

Carefully roll up each tortilla and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Add the Final Touches

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.

Generously top with additional cheese.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Look for golden, bubbly melted cheese as your signal that the enchiladas are ready.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Bring the enchiladas to the table hot and fresh.

Helpful Tips for Beef Enchiladas

• Drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent greasy enchiladas and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.
• Toast spices briefly in the skillet to release their essential oils, intensifying the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Briefly warm tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet to prevent cracking when rolling, making them more flexible and easier to handle.
• Use a blend of cheeses for deeper flavor complexity and a more interesting texture in your enchiladas.
• Assemble enchiladas in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, saving precious dinner preparation time.

Beef Enchiladas Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty beef enchiladas bring Mexican culinary magic to dinner tables with robust flavors and comforting textures. Cheese-topped tortillas packed with seasoned meat create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese:

• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Sauce:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) red enchilada sauce

Tortillas:

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas

Optional Toppings:

• Sour cream
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced jalapenos

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a toasty 375F (190C) and lovingly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease layer.
2. In a sizzling skillet, transform ground beef over medium flame until it achieves a rich, caramelized bronze, then introduce diced onions and minced garlic, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence.
3. Awaken the meat with a vibrant dance of spices: chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let these seasonings mingle and intensify for a brief moment.
4. Cascade half the enchilada sauce into the beef mixture, letting it simmer and harmonize the flavors for 2-3 minutes before removing from heat.
5. Gently warm tortillas until they become supple and malleable. Generously spread the spiced beef across each tortilla, sprinkle a delicate layer of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, then roll into tight, elegant cylinders. Nestle these enchiladas seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
6. Drench the rolled tortillas with the remaining enchilada sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Crown the dish with a lavish snowfall of additional cheese.
7. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the enchiladas to transform for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes a molten, bubbling masterpiece.
8. Present the enchiladas piping hot, inviting an array of optional garnishes to personalize each serving.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of the dish.
• Warm tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave to prevent cracking when rolling enchiladas.
• For a gluten-free option, swap regular tortillas with corn tortillas and use gluten-free enchilada sauce.
• Make the recipe vegetarian by replacing ground beef with black beans, lentils, or plant-based meat alternatives for protein.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 435 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg