Learn how to make Beef Enchilada Casserole in two easy steps. Easy, budget-friendly, and fulfilling Mexican-style dinner!

Beef Enchilada Casserole close up on a wooden spoon

Serve this easy casserole with a fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, cornbread, and lime cilantro rice for an easy dinner that's sure to become everyone's favorite.

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Why It's Yummy

Easy as a pie! The best thing about this recipe is that it is wonderfully simple and easy. It is easier than all this hassle with rolling and filling the tortillas separately.
You just throw everything together in layers, bake, forget and you've got dinner ready in 30 minutes.
Homemade. For best results make a homemade 15-minute Enchilada Sauce from scratch! Make a double or triple batch as it will last a while!
This family-style beef enchilada casserole is seriously delicious. Easy to meal prep too!

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada might be the most popular recipes on this blog but for me, personally, the most favorite has been beef enchiladas all the time.

Ingredients

Ground Beef - beef cooked in taco spice and the sauce really adds that extra flavor to the beef! You can always substitute the beef for ground turkey or ground chicken too. Buy a large batch of ground beef and make these Beef Lettuce Wraps with leftovers the next day.
Cheddar cheese - what is an enchilada without cheese? Use sharp cheddar or a mix of grated cheddar and mozzarella. (Monterey jack cheese will also work great here).
Salt and pepper - depending on which sauce you'll be using, make sure to taste for salt and pepper during cooking.
Enchilada sauce - For this recipe, I've used my 15 minute Red Enchilada Sauce which is super easy to make. It's not required though, you can also use your favorite store-bought enchilada sauce. This chicken dish is mildly spicy but you can add chili powder later after you've shredded the chicken and returned to the crockpot. Just taste and season with salt and pepper as you go.
Onion - onion, and garlic are the most essential 2 ingredients in most of my recipes. Brown/yellow onion cooked either together with chicken or cooked separately until translucent and added later to simmer with the vegetables. For me personally, I always like to cook the onion separately for more flavor.

Like recipes with beans? Try these next: Healthy White Bean Chicken Chili, Easy Vegan Chili.

Serving Suggestions

Want to make it a full meal? Start your dinner with a little aperitive like this mouthwatering Skinny Watermelon Margarita or serve Spicy Watermelon Basil Margaritas (Frozen) for dessert!

Instructions

Cook the beef until golden brown, add salt and pepper to taste, drain the fat.

Add taco seasoning, onion, garlic. Cook until onion becomes fragrant and translucent. Set aside.

Casserole assembly. In a greased with oil 9x13 inch casserole (or slightly smaller will work too), add a thick layer of enchilada sauce, a layer of 2 tortillas, ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese.

Next add another layer of tortillas, sauce, beef, beans, corn and finish with cheese on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove from the oven and add a layer of mozzarella cheese, bake another 10-15 minutes without foil or until cheese is almost melted and bubbly.

Garnish with sour cream, jalapeno slices, cilantro, cracked black pepper, and scallions.

Serve on its own or with a side lime cilantro rice, cornbread, pico de gallo and guacamole, more enchilada sauce.

Beef Enchilada Casserole on a plate serving

Tips

Tortillas - I use gluten-free tortillas but if you are looking for a more authentic Mexican enchilada version, try corn tortillas. Some folks have mentioned that corn tortillas tend to overpower the whole dish but it really comes down to personal preference. You can always modify the recipe to your liking.
Garlic - depending on your location, garlic will vary. If you know that the garlic you have on hand is not strong enough, add 2 more garlic cloves. I have added two large in this recipe. And without garlic or less garlic, this recipe will not taste as good as it should!
Make-ahead tips - cook the beef a day or two before and keep stored in an airtight container until you are ready to bake the enchilada casserole.
Make it hot. Increase the heat level by adding cayenne pepper, chili flakes to taste (mix it with the sauce).

Serving and Toppings

Like any other Mexican style dish is NOT complete without TOPPINGS.

Diced avocados
Pico de gallo (authentic Mexican salsa)
Chile con Queso - a cheesy dip that consists of melted cheese and chili peppers.
Avocado crema - a mix of avocado, sour cream and lime/lemon juice.
Guacamole
Hot sauce
Jalapenos (fresh or marinated/pickled)
Diced tomatoes
Cilantro/Coriander chopped or whole leaves
Lime wedges
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
Black olives (pitted & sliced)
Corn (canned or fresh)
Cotija cheese or feta cheese
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (also coconut yogurt will taste delish!)
Pickled cabbage

Easy Mexican Dinners

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Julia