Description
Hearty beef enchilada casserole delivers a spicy Mexican-inspired feast that combines layered tortillas, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese into one comforting dish. Generous portions and bold flavors invite you to savor each satisfying bite of this crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Cheeses:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Sauté ground beef, onions, and garlic in a skillet until meat is completely browned, then drain excess fat.
- Incorporate enchilada sauce, tomatoes, black beans, and spices into the meat mixture, allowing flavors to meld for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Create the first tortilla base layer in the baking dish, slightly overlapping to cover the bottom completely.
- Distribute half of the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the tortilla foundation.
- Generously sprinkle a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the meat layer.
- Arrange a second tortilla layer to cover the cheese and meat mixture.
- Pour the remaining beef mixture uniformly across the new tortilla layer.
- Top the casserole with the final layer of cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake for 25 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbling.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, then slice and serve with optional fresh herb garnish.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter protein option that keeps the dish’s hearty flavor profile.
- Pre-shred cheese at home for better melting and more even distribution across the casserole layers, ensuring each bite has perfect cheesy goodness.
- Toast corn tortillas briefly in a dry skillet before layering to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent soggy texture in the final dish.
- Add a splash of lime juice or sprinkle of fresh jalapeños before serving to brighten the overall taste and introduce a zesty kick that elevates the entire casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 447 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg