Beef Enchilada Casserole

This beef enchilada casserole is loaded with flavor. It has the perfect combination of seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, tortilla shells, and melty shredded cheese, all packed in one casserole. And it's so, so easy to make too!

The Best Beef Enchilada Casserole

If you like enchiladas or beef burritos, you're going to love this enchilada bake recipe.

It has everything that makes traditional enchiladas so delicious, like ground beef that's cooked in a blend of spices and seasonings, flour tortillas shells smothered in enchilada sauce, and lots and lots of melted shredded cheese.

Now, instead of being rolled up like a burrito, those ingredients are layered on top of one another to create one of the most delicious casseroles you'll ever have!

Seriously, out of the casserole recipes I've made recently - and I've made a lot - this enchilada one is definitely one of my favorites.

It's delicious on its own, but this easy beef enchilada tastes even better served with these air fryer tortilla chips and this Chipotle guac. 

Why This Recipe Works

Quick and easy to prepare. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare this casserole, and the process is effortless.

A winning combination. From the seasoned beef to the crisp tortillas, melty cheese, and delicious red enchilada sauce, it really doesn't get better than this.

Crowd-favorite. Anyone who loves enchiladas - or even tacos or burritos - always goes crazy for this casserole, so it's the perfect meal to impress guests or the whole family for dinner. 

Ingredients

Another thing to love about this beef enchilada casserole recipe is that it's made almost entirely with kitchen/pantry staples. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you have most - if not all - of them at your house already!

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make it:

• ¾ lb ground beef
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp water
• 14 oz can red enchilada sauce 
• 8 corn tortillas 
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped cilantro, or parsley, as desired

Pretty simple stuff, right?!

By the way, you can use almost every single one of these ingredients to make this burrito casserole recipe next. So, if you end up with some extras of them, you might want to give that recipe a shot next!

And if you love enchiladas and are looking for something a little different, you have to make this green chicken enchilada casserole or sour cream enchilada casserole.

How To Make Beef Enchilada Casserole

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. 

2. Cook the beef: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat until nicely browned on all sides.

3. Add the flavor: Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder to the beef and season it to taste with salt and pepper. Add water, mix, and cook for 2 minutes over low heat. Stir in the chopped cilantro if you are using it. 

4. Assemble the casserole: Spread some enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9-inch square pan. Place the corn tortillas in the square pan. Put ¼ of the beef mixture over the tortillas. Add more enchilada sauce and top it with some shredded cheese. Repeat the layers until you have used all the ingredients, with the remaining enchilada sauce then the remaining cheese as the final layer. 

5. Bake and serve: Cover the casserole with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool briefly before slicing and serving with some sour cream. Enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Cut the tortillas in half and arrange them with the flat cut side along the sides of the baking pan for the perfect proportions.
• Use soft flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas.
• Use homemade enchilada sauce for a more authentic flavor.
• Use a Mexican cheese blend in place of the cheddar.
• Add black beans or pinto beans, diced onion, green onions, green chiles, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, or cooked rice for a loaded casserole.

How To Store Beef Enchilada Casserole

In the fridge: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: Freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for 3 months.

Reheating: Put the leftover casserole back in the baking dish you cooked it in and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts again and the filling is warmed through.

FAQS About This Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare everything the night before, layer the casserole, cover it with aluminum foil, and refrigerate. Then bake the casserole the next day as described above and just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

How do you make enchilada casserole not soggy?

Make thin layers so the tortillas have a chance to get nice and crispy. If you put too much meat between the tortillas, it will cause them to be soggy.

What kind of tortillas do you use for enchiladas?

Either corn tortillas or flour tortillas work great for enchiladas, you really can't go wrong with either one. Corn tortillas work great in this casserole since they are layered and not rolled.

More Casserole Recipes

I mentioned earlier that we've been making a ton of casseroles on the blog lately. So, if you're looking for another one to make, we've got you covered.

Here are some of our most popular recipes:

• Chile relleno casserole
• Mexican street corn casserole
• Taco cornbread casserole
• Cowboy cornbread casserole
• Pork chop casserole
• Chicken tater tot casserole

And for something a little different, you can check out these street tacos.