Baked Beef Enchilada Casserole (Printable)
Layered ground beef, tortillas, and cheese baked in rich enchilada sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup corn kernels
→ Spices & Seasonings
06 - 2 tsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Sauces & Dairy
11 - 2 cups red enchilada sauce
12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Tortillas
14 - 8 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat.
03 - Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Mix in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, corn kernels, and black beans. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer 4 tortillas over the sauce, overlapping as necessary.
06 - Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas. Top with 1/3 of the shredded cheeses.
07 - Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce over the beef layer. Place the remaining four tortillas on top.
08 - Spread the rest of the beef mixture over the tortillas, followed by another 1/3 of the cheeses. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the casserole and top with the remaining cheese.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
11 - Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sour cream as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of comfort food that makes everyone gather in the kitchen, hovering and asking when itll be ready
- The layers get all melded together in the oven, creating that perfect bite where tortilla, beef, and cheese become one
02 -
- I once cut into this immediately and ended up with a delicious mess on the plate, so please trust me on the resting time
- The tortillas soften as they bake, so if you want more texture, give them a quick toast in a dry pan first
03 -
- Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds so they're pliable and less likely to tear
- If your enchilada sauce seems thick, thin it with a splash of water for easier spreading