Description
Hearty beef enchilada casserole delivers Mexican comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and warm corn tortillas. Comfort meets bold flavors in this simple, satisfying dish perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups (224 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (224 grams) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10 ounces / 280 milliliters) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C), preparing a casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, incorporating diced onions and minced garlic until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, then introduce enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Create the first layer in the casserole dish using corn tortillas, covering the bottom completely.
- Spread half of the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the tortilla layer, followed by sprinkling half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat layering process with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese, creating a second complete layer.
- Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and edges become golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- Prep the beef mixture thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent dry spots in the casserole.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Swap corn tortillas with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives for dietary restrictions, maintaining the authentic texture and taste.
- For a vegetarian twist, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans, keeping the robust Mexican-inspired seasoning profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg