What are we making for dinner tonight? It’s the question that echoes in kitchens everywhere. If you find yourself staring into the fridge hoping for inspiration, I have just the thing for you. We are about to make one of my favorite Ground Beef Recipes ever.
Get ready for some seriously delicious and simple ground beef enchiladas. This recipe is all about big flavor without a big fuss. It is one of those fantastic Easy Meals With Ground Beef that the whole family will get excited about. Let’s get cooking!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, what makes this dish so special? Honestly, it’s the simplicity. This is one of those Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes that tastes like you spent hours on it. But you and I know the secret.
It’s incredibly family friendly. Kids love the cheesy, mild flavor. Adults love how satisfying it is. There are no complicated ingredients here, just wholesome, familiar foods that come together beautifully.
This is also a great recipe for beginners. If you are new to cooking, you will find the steps straightforward and easy to follow. No special equipment is needed, just a skillet and a baking dish.
Plus, it is so easy to customize. You can add extra veggies to the filling or experiment with different toppings. It’s a wonderful base recipe that you can truly make your own. That’s why it’s a standout among Ground Beef Recipes.
Ingredients
The ingredient list is short and sweet. You can find everything you need at any grocery store. No hunting for specialty items today!
For The Enchiladas
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 2 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 soft taco size tortillas, flour or corn
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 16 oz. marbled cheddar cheese, shredded
Optional Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Pico de Gallo
- Diced Avocado
- Diced Green Onions
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s walk through this together. I promise it’s as easy as it sounds. We’ll turn that simple ground beef into a meal to remember.
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep Pan
First things first, let’s get that oven going. You want to preheat it to 375 degrees F. Getting the oven hot ahead of time ensures your enchiladas cook evenly from the moment they go in.
While it heats, grab your nine by thirteen inch casserole dish. We are going to prep it for all that cheesy goodness to come.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onion
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef and diced onion. You will hear a satisfying sizzle as it starts to cook. Use a spatula to crumble the beef as it browns.
Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink. Your kitchen should be smelling amazing right about now. This is the savory foundation of so many great Ground Beef Recipes.
Once it’s cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet. Return the skillet to the stove. Now, sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Give it a good stir.
You will see the water and seasoning create a delicious sauce that coats every piece of beef. Let it simmer for just a minute until the water is absorbed. Then, remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 3: Prepare the Casserole Dish
Remember that casserole dish? It is time to give it some attention. Pour about half a cup of the enchilada sauce into the bottom. Tilt the dish around to spread the sauce into a thin, even layer. This little step prevents the tortillas from sticking and adds flavor from the bottom up.
Step 4: Fill and Roll the Enchiladas
This is the fun part! It’s like a little assembly line. Lay one tortilla flat. Spoon about one third of a cup of the seasoned ground beef mixture in a line down the center.
Next, sprinkle on about a quarter cup of the shredded cheese right on top of the beef. Do not be shy with the cheese! It is key to what makes this one of the best Easy Meals With Ground Beef.
Now, roll up the tortilla tightly. Place it in your prepared casserole dish with the seam side facing down. This is important! It keeps the enchilada from unrolling while it bakes.
Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas until the dish is full. If you have any leftover beef mixture, just sprinkle it over the top of the rolled enchiladas. No waste here!
Step 5: Sauce, Cheese, and Bake
Your dish should be full of neatly rolled enchiladas. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce evenly over the top. Make sure every single tortilla gets a good coating.
Now for the grand finale. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese all over the top. A beautiful blanket of cheese is exactly what we are going for. This is one of those Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes that truly delivers on comfort.
Carefully place the dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You will know it is ready when the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden. The center should be hot.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the enchiladas are done baking, let them rest for a few minutes. This helps them set up a little. Now it is time to add your favorite toppings. A dollop of cool sour cream, some fresh pico de gallo, creamy diced avocado, and a sprinkle of green onions will make this dish sing. Serve warm and enjoy every bite!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, they are just as good the next day. Let the enchiladas cool completely first. Then, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. You can also transfer them to an airtight container.
They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the dish back in the oven until warmed through.
For longer storage, freezing is a fantastic option. Prepare the enchiladas as directed, but do not bake them. Cover the dish tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to bake from frozen, keep the foil on and bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. The center should be bubbly. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes to let the cheese get golden.
Tips
Want to make this recipe even better? I have a few little tips for you. First, if you use corn tortillas, warm them up before rolling. You can wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds. This makes them pliable and prevents cracking.
Feel free to get creative with your cheese. While marbled cheddar is great, a Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend would also be delicious. Grating your own cheese from a block will give you the best melt.
You can also customize the filling. Add a can of drained black beans or some corn to the beef mixture for extra texture and fiber. This is a great way to stretch the meal even further, making it one of the most versatile Ground Beef Recipes.
Like a little spice? Add some diced jalapeños to the onion and beef mixture. Or, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning for a bit of heat.
When filling the tortillas, be careful not to overstuff them. An overfilled tortilla is more likely to tear or unroll. A little bit of filling goes a long way.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A wonderfully simple, cheesy, and satisfying dinner that is sure to become a family favorite. This is truly one of the best Ground Beef Recipes for any night of the week.
It proves that you do not need a long list of ingredients or complicated steps to make a memorable meal. I hope you and your family love these enchiladas as much as I do. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Meat?
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Ground turkey or ground chicken would be excellent substitutes. You could even use shredded rotisserie chicken for a super fast option. Just mix it with the seasoning and a little sauce.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, this is a great make ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be chilled.
How Do I Prevent My Tortillas From Getting Soggy?
The thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan helps create a barrier. Also, using flour tortillas can help as they tend to hold up better than corn. Make sure not to let the assembled enchiladas sit for too long before baking unless you are planning to make them ahead.
What Can I Serve With These Enchiladas?
These enchiladas are a great meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a few side dishes. Spanish rice, refried beans, or a simple green salad with a cilantro lime dressing would all be excellent choices.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
You can easily make this recipe gluten free! Just be sure to use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. You will also need to check that your taco seasoning and enchilada sauce are certified gluten free, as some brands can contain hidden gluten.
Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
Discover a family-friendly favorite with these easy ground beef enchiladas. Packed with savory flavor and cheesy goodness, this quick dinner comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for weeknights.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 inch casserole dish by setting it aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, crumbling the beef with a spatula as it browns. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the stove. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Stir well and let it simmer for just a minute until the water is absorbed. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Pour about 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of the casserole dish. Tilt the dish to spread the sauce into a thin, even layer.
- Lay one tortilla flat. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the seasoned ground beef mixture in a line down the center. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese right on top of the beef.
- Roll up the tortilla tightly. Place it in your prepared casserole dish with the seam side facing down. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas until the dish is full. If you have any leftover beef mixture, sprinkle it over the top of the rolled enchiladas.
- Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese all over the top.
- Carefully place the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden. The center should be hot.
- Once done baking, let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes. Garnish with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, pico de gallo, diced avocado, and green onions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Warm corn tortillas in a damp paper towel in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them pliable and prevent cracking.
Grating your own cheese from a block will often yield the best melt and flavor.
Feel free to customize the filling by adding a can of drained black beans or some corn to the beef mixture for extra texture and fiber.
For a little extra heat, add some diced jalapeños to the onion and beef mixture or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning.
When filling the tortillas, be careful not to overstuff them, as an overfilled tortilla is more likely to tear or unroll during baking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container or covered casserole dish.
For longer storage, assemble the enchiladas but do not bake. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375F for 40-45 minutes (covered), then remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until bubbly and golden.
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