Go Back
A plate of ground beef enchiladas topped with red sauce and melted cheese.

Classic Ground Beef Enchiladas

Enjoy these Classic Ground Beef Enchiladas, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any meal. Featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a rich enchilada sauce, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Microwave (optional)
  • Dry skillet (optional)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
  • large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup enchilada sauce from a 19 oz can
  • 10-12 corn tortillas
  • 1 can red enchilada sauce 19 oz
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for browning beef

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh cilantro
  • sour cream
  • diced avocado
  • pickled jalapeños

Instructions
 

Prepare the Filling

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add ground beef and cook until browned, draining any excess fat.
  • Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and cook until the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors, then remove from heat.

Soften Tortillas

  • Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Warm each corn tortilla using one of three methods: microwave, dip in warm sauce, or heat in a dry skillet, to make them pliable.

Assemble Enchiladas

  • Spoon about 1/4 cup of beef filling onto a softened tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and roll it up tightly.
  • Place the rolled tortilla seam-side down in the baking dish and repeat with remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them snugly.

Sauce and Cheese

  • Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas, ensuring full coverage.
  • Generously sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese over the top of the enchiladas.

Bake

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden and the enchiladas are heated through.

Rest and Serve

  • Let the enchiladas rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or pickled jalapeños if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can lightly fry the tortillas in a little oil before filling and rolling. Make sure not to overfill the tortillas, or they will be difficult to roll. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef filling.