The Best Beef Enchilada Recipe (2024)

By Spices in My DNA 45 Comments

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These beef enchiladas really are the best ever! They’re made with an incredibly flavorful and easy enchilada sauce, ground beef seasoned with the perfect blend of Mexican spices, and melted cheddar and monterey jack! Toppings are not optional!


I never ever name recipes “the best” because it seems so extreme, but these really are THE BEST enchiladas I’ve ever had, and they are actually in the top five best meals I’ve ever had in my life. Bold statement I know. I can’t begin to tell you how incredible they are. You just have to make them and see!

One of the main things that makes these so incredible, is the homemade enchilada sauce. It’s SO easy too. You combine everything in a saucepan and let it simmer for fifteen minutes and that’s it. I’m definitely one for buying storebought marinara and barbeque sauce in a pinch, but enchilada sauce is one of those things that is SO much better homemade.

There is really no comparison.

I also use a mixture of cheddar and monterey jack because that is my favorite cheese combo to use for melty Mexican dishes. Otherwise, it’s queso fresco and cotija all the way! But you could totally add some crumbles of either of those on top! Because three cheeses are always better than two!

Gahhh I can’t even stand how good these are.

The toppings make them extra delicious too, obviously. What’s Mexican food without toppings? My favorite combination to use here is sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, lime wedges, and sour cream! I mix a little lime juice and salt with it to make it drizzle-able.

When making the enchiladas, I mix some of the enchilada sauce and cheese into the ground beef while it’s still hot, so it gets all melty and delicious, and then stuff it in the tortillas. It makes them so much more flavorful! I also season the ground beef with Mexican spices instead of relying on the enchilada sauce, so it’s like an extra layer of flavor!

Haha I put a lot of thought and care into these beauties.

I would be the happiest person if these were the only thing I ate ever again. They’re THAT good!

The Best Beef Enchilada Recipe (6)

5 from 13 votes

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The Best Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce

These beef enchiladas really are the best ever! They're made with an incredibly flavorful and easy enchilada sauce, ground beef seasoned with the perfect blend of Mexican spices, and melted cheddar and monterey jack! Toppings are not optional!

CourseBeef, Main Course

CuisineMexican

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 4

Calories 476 kcal

Author Molly | Spices in My DNA

Ingredients

For the enchilada sauce

  • 1tablespoonolive oil
  • 4cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2cupslow sodium chicken broth
  • 2tablespoons sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo
  • 2(15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1tablespoonchili powder
  • 2teaspoonscumin
  • 1teaspoonpaprika
  • 1teaspoongarlic powder
  • 1teaspoononion powder
  • 1/2teaspoonsmoked paprika
  • 1/4teaspoonsalt
  • 1/4teaspoon pepper

For the enchiladas

  • 1poundlean ground beef
  • 2teaspoonschili powder
  • 1teaspooncumin
  • 1teaspoongarlic powder
  • 1teaspoononion powder
  • 1/2teaspoonsmoked paprika
  • 1/4teaspoonsalt
  • 6ounces cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 6ouncesmonterey jack, freshly grated
  • 8of your favorite tortillas
  • sliced avocado for serving
  • halved cherry tomatoes for serving
  • lime wedges for serving
  • sour cream for serving
  • chopped cilantro for serving
  • sliced scallions for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375℉.

  2. Make the enchilada sauce. Bring a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, chipotle sauce, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat slightly and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and cook for 7-8 minutes, until ground beef is browned and fully cooked. Add 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce to the beef, as well as 1/3 of the cheeses. Stir to combine until melted.

  4. Spoon 1 cup of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture onto one side of the tortilla, then roll tightly. Place seam side down in the dish and repeat with all 8 tortillas.

  5. Pour 1 1/2 cups of enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, spreading evenly. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.

  6. Serve with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, lime wedges, sour cream, and chopped cilantro and scallions.

Nutrition Facts

The Best Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 of 8 enchiladas)

Calories 476Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Sodium 1263mg55%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 26g52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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The Best Beef Enchilada Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas.

How do you make beef enchiladas not soggy? ›

Usually when I've made them I just put sauce on top, not on the bottom, and just down the middle so the edges are exposed. And I make the sauce on the thick side so it is not too watery. I bake them in the oven too, and they are never too soggy, but you could just grill to minimise the sauce absorption.

How do you make enchilada sauce taste better? ›

You might want to up the spices a bit. The sauce won't taste quite like the enchilada sauce you might buy at the store, but it will still be good! Change it up: The chili powder, cumin and garlic powder are essential here, but feel free to change up the other spices to suit your preferences.

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

Las Palmas makes the best green enchilada sauce at the grocery store. It's a little tangy, super savory, and it tastes very fresh, even though it's canned enchilada sauce. If you're a green sauce lover, you will be thrilled with this premade enchilada sauce. You won't just want to stop at enchiladas!

What is the best cheese to melt on enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

Should enchiladas be covered when baking? ›

Arrange enchiladas, seam-side down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with taco sauce and remaining 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, until cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

What are the best tortillas for enchiladas? ›

Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but flour tortillas also work. Choose 7- or 8-inch flour tortillas or 6-inch corn tortillas—they fit best in most pans. Recipes vary, but for a 3-quart rectangular casserole dish, you will need about eight flour or corn tortillas.

Can you pre make enchiladas or will they get soggy? ›

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

How to dr up enchilada sauce? ›

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Roll up tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and scatter over the reserved cheese. Grease a large sheet of foil with cooking spray or oil and cover the baking dish, grease side down.

What can you use canned enchilada sauce for? ›

Canned enchilada sauce is an excellent addition to a spicy, savory soup or stew, with nearly infinite variations. Start as you would any delicious soup by sautéing onions and garlic.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Start with them covered and for the last 10–15 minutes, uncover to melt the topping and lightly crisp the tortillas. You should cover it with something. I usually use tomato sauce and cheese, but you could try tin foil instead. If you don't cover the enchiladas the tops will dry out and become tough.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Roll up tortillas; place seam sides down and widthwise in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spread with salsa; sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

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