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? ›

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.

How to keep tortillas from getting soggy in enchilada casserole? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Should enchiladas be covered when baking? ›

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

Is it better to make enchiladas 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.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Toppings: When it comes to enchiladas, I vote the more toppings the merrier! Any combination of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion (or quick pickled red onions), sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, and/or extra cheese would be delicious!

What is the best cheese to melt on enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

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

Easy Cheese Enchiladas Recipe

Happy to report it couldn't be easier. 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.

Why is my enchilada casserole soggy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

Can you pre make enchiladas or will they get soggy? ›

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

How to cook real good enchiladas in the oven? ›

Grande Chicken Enchiladas
  1. Microwave - Poke holes in the film and cook for 3:30 - 4:30 minutes, let sit for 1 minute before removing. ...
  2. Oven - Remove the film and cook at 400° for 28-32 minutes.
  3. Air Fryer - Remove the film and cook at 375° for 10-12 minutes.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Compared to its yellow counterpart, white corn tortillas tend to be softer with a more tender texture. They also have a higher moisture content, which makes them more pliable. These corn tortillas can be easily rolled and folded without cracking or breaking — ideal for enchiladas and flautas.

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.

Why do you dip tortillas in oil for enchiladas? ›

The quick fry does a couple of things.

Second, it adds flavor; the sugar in the tortilla starts to caramelize and the proteins brown. Finally, it adds richness from the oil. But don't stress about the oil—tortillas actually don't soak up too much of it, so your enchiladas won't seem heavy.

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

La Victoria Red Enchilada Sauce Traditional, Mild, 28 oz

You'll love this sauce for adding great flavor and spice to your homemade enchiladas without being too hot. I recently tried out the La Victoria Red Enchilada Sauce, and I have to say, it enhanced my homemade enchiladas like never before.

How do you Dr up enchilada 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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