Enchilada Casserole Recipe (2024)

Beef Enchilada Casserole makes a perfect weeknight or weekend meal to serve family and friends. Enchilada Casserole is comfort food that feeds those spicy cravings.

Enchilada Casserole Recipe (1)

Enchiladas make one of my family’s favorite meals. And this Enchilada Casserole just takes it over the top, let me tell you.

Thankfully, it only takes a little bit of time to put together. Here are a few things I’ve discovered over the years of making this enchilada casserole that make it easy as can be.

Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe

For this beef enchilada casserole, you’ll need:

  • olive oil – used for crisping the tortillas
  • medium tortillas – use your favorite tortilla, flour or corn. We prefer to use corn tortillas in this casserole
  • ground beef – we prefer to use a lean ground beef. You can also substitute with ground turkey if you prefer.
  • onion
  • garlic
  • enchilada sauce – I use my homemade enchilada sauce (stovetop or blender method). You can also substitute with store-bought in a pinch.
  • sour cream
  • cheddar cheese
  • Monterey Jack cheese

You’ll begin by lightly browning your tortillas with olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. This prevents the tortillas from being soggy in the casserole. Once they are browned, set them aside as you prepare the enchilada casserole filling.

Then, brown your ground beef (or turkey) and drain away any drippings. Add your onion and garlic and cook until tender.

Assemble the casserole by pouring 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish that has been lightly sprayed with olive oil or cooking spray. Then, layer 3 tortillas on top of the sauce. Top the tortillas with 1/2 cup more sauce. Spread the beef mixture on top of the tortillas, followed by sour cream and the cheeses. Repeat with tortillas, enchilada sauce, beef mixture, sour cream, and cheeses, ending with cheeses.

Bake until the cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

Enchilada Casserole Recipe (2)

Make Ahead Instructions

Assemble beef enchilada casserole as directed without baking. When ready to serve, bake until the cheeses have melted and the casserole is heated throughout, about 20-30 minutes.

Here’s my enchilada casserole recipe. I hope your family loves it as much as we do.

Enchilada Casserole Recipe (3)

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Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Enchilada Casserole makes a perfect weeknight or weekend meal to serve family and friends. Enchilada Casserole is comfort food that feeds those spicy cravings. Get this family favorite enchilada casserole recipe and make it your own!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • 6 tortillas
  • 2-3 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups enchilada sauce
  • 1-2 cups sour cream
  • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated monterey jack cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º F.

  • Drizzle olive oil into bottom of 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Once warm, add a tortilla, one at a time, to the skillet. Cook until crisp on each side, remove from the skillet with tongs and set aside.

  • Add beef and onions to the skillet and cook until completely browned. Remove from heat and drain away any drippings. Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant.

  • Spoon about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with olive oil or cooking spray. Spread enchilada sauce to coat the bottom of the casserole dish.

  • Place 3 tortillas on top of the enchilada sauce, overlapping them slightly at the edges to make all 3 tortillas fit lengthwise. Ladle on additional enchilada sauce, about 1/2 cup. Layer on beef, onion and garlic mixture, making sure to spread mixture evenly over tortillas and enchilada sauce.

  • Top with large dollops of sour cream and spread slightly. Sprinkle on a little of both cheeses.

  • Repeat layering with 3 more tortillas, enchilada sauce, beef mixture, sour cream, and end with cheeses.

  • Bake in oven until cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes.

  • Serve warm.

Notes

You may substitute any other meat or bean for ground beef in the recipe. Additionally, you may add beans, lettuce, or diced tomatoes to the recipe, if desired.
To freeze: Prepare recipe through baking, wrap tightly with aluminum foil and place into the freezer. To heat once frozen, simply remove from the freezer and place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Bake as instructed in the recipe; however, note that baking time may take a bit longer to make sure all ingredients are heated throughout.

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Enchilada Casserole Recipe (4)

Categorized as:All Recipes, Beef Recipes, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Casseroles, Chicken Recipes, Cooking, Dinner Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Freezer Meal Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Ground Beef Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, One Dish Meal Recipes, Pork Recipes, Recipes

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Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Enchilada Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Pre-fry your tortillas

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Assemble the remaining enchiladas. Then spread any remaining sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas, followed by any extra cheese. Bake. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside.

Do you put sauce on enchiladas before or after baking? ›

Step 1: Make 10 minute homemade red enchilada sauce using fridge and pantry staples. Step 2: Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese into the centers of corn tortillas then roll and place inside a casserole dish. Step 3: Cover with red sauce then bake.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Sliced radishes, crunchy pickled red onions or jalapenos, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro lighten a heavy, cheesy sauce, lending fresh flavor and bold color. Take simple beef enchiladas in a Tex-Mex direction with dollops of sour cream and chopped raw onion.

What is the best melting cheese for enchiladas? ›

Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that melts easily and adds a smooth texture to the enchiladas.

Is it better to make enchiladas with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Enchiladas are laden with sauce and fillings, and you need a tortilla that will hold up to all the moisture, so you should always opt for corn over flour.

How long to put enchiladas in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

Spoon some meat mixture and cheese into the center of each tortilla, roll them up and arrange them in a 9x13 inch baking dish or oblong pan. Pour the enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas and top with any remaining meat or cheese. Bake in the preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes.

Should I use corn or flour for enchiladas? ›

Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but flour tortillas also work. Choose 7- or 8-inch flour tortillas or 6-inch corn tortillas—they fit best in most pans. Recipes vary, but for a 3-quart rectangular casserole dish, you will need about eight flour or corn tortillas.

Why is my enchilada casserole soggy? ›

Most people drown their enchiladas in sauce before putting them in the oven, but that's the number one cause of soggy enchiladas. Because you've already coated your tortillas in the sauce, they won't need that much more.

Can you prep enchiladas the night before? ›

If you're planning on preparing these the night before you plan on serving them, simply assemble everything, cover and place in the refrigerator. If you are preparing the enchiladas more than a day in advance, simply cover and place in the freezer until you're ready to heat and serve.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Yellow corn tortillas have a stronger corn flavor, whereas white tortillas have an almost oaky, nutty flavor when toasted. I personally like white tortillas for tacos and enchiladas, and use yellow ones for fried tortillas and corn chips when I want that corn taste to really come through.

How to cook real good enchiladas in the oven? ›

Grab a tray of our Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas from your local Costco or other grocery store and remove the plastic. Transfer it to an oven-safe container or cook it right in the tray. Bake at 375 degrees for 27-29 minutes. When the enchiladas are done cooking, let rest for 2 minutes.

Should I cover my enchiladas with foil when I bake them? ›

Cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and sour cream.

Do I need to cover my enchiladas in the oven? ›

Arrange enchiladas, seam-side down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with taco sauce and remaining 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, until cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Why do you dip tortillas in oil for enchiladas? ›

First, it creates a barrier on the surface of the tortilla that allows the tortilla to absorb some sauce—but avoid completely disintegrating. Second, it adds flavor; the sugar in the tortilla starts to caramelize and the proteins brown. Finally, it adds richness from the oil.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better? ›

Then when the sauce is almost finished, a quick blend with a blender or immersion blender results in a smooth sauce. Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

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