The Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole is a warm and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. With layers of soft tortillas, seasoned ground beef, tangy enchilada sauce, and a creamy cheese blend, this recipe delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors in every bite. It’s simple to prepare yet feels like a cozy comfort food treat.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this cheesy casserole brings convenience and flavor together in one delicious pan. The melted cheese on top creates a golden, bubbling crust, while the flavorful filling inside keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Pair it with a crisp green salad or some tortilla chips and salsa for a complete Tex-Mex meal experience.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb lean ground beef
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1 small onion, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 packet taco seasoning
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1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
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1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
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1 cup sour cream
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1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
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1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
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6 small flour tortillas
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
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Sliced black olives (optional)
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Diced green onions (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
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Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat.
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Stir in taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, and green chilies. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
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In a separate bowl, combine sour cream with half of each shredded cheese. Mix well.
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 2 tortillas on the bottom of the dish, tearing as needed to cover the base.
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Spread one-third of the beef mixture over the tortillas, followed by one-third of the sour cream and cheese mixture.
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Repeat the layering process two more times: tortillas, beef, sour cream-cheese mixture.
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Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
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Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
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Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, and black olives if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole
Layered Cheesy Beef & Tortilla Enchilada Bake
When you think of comfort food that delivers flavor, satisfaction, and a sense of nostalgia in every bite, casseroles inevitably come to mind. And when you fuse that idea with the bold, spicy, and deeply savory essence of Tex-Mex cuisine, you get the glorious Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole. This dish is everything a family dinner should be, hearty, cheesy, filling, and easy to prepare in one baking dish.
Why This Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole Deserves a Spot on Your Dinner Table
This recipe is a wonderful fusion of simplicity and indulgence. It combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients to create layers of flavor that mimic classic enchiladas but without the hassle of rolling each one. Instead, the ingredients are stacked lasagna-style, giving you a rustic and bubbly bake that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, potluck, or game-day spread.
What makes this casserole shine is the balance of textures and flavors. Soft flour tortillas act as the base and layering component. The ground beef is seasoned with taco spices and enriched with a generous splash of enchilada sauce and green chilies. Add to that a mixture of sour cream and two types of cheese, cheddar and Monterey Jack and you’ve got the creamy, melty component that ties everything together.
Each bite gives you a bit of everything: tender meat, oozy cheese, tangy sauce, and the warmth of chili spices. Garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, or even sliced black olives, the final dish is both aesthetically pleasing and downright comforting.
A Closer Look at the Key Ingredients
Ground Beef
Lean ground beef serves as the hearty base of the casserole. It browns beautifully, absorbs the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce, and provides a robust flavor. You can also swap this with ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even lentils for a vegetarian spin.
Taco Seasoning
This spice blend includes cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder. It brings that iconic Tex-Mex flavor and infuses the beef with warmth and depth.
Enchilada Sauce
The sauce is the heartbeat of this casserole. Red enchilada sauce, with its chili base and tangy tomato notes, moistens the layers and ties all the components together. If you prefer more heat, opt for a medium or hot version—or make your own from scratch for a richer flavor.
Green Chilies
Mild diced green chilies add subtle heat and a vegetal brightness that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese.
Sour Cream
Adding sour cream to the cheese mixture creates a creamy, tangy texture that balances the spice of the beef and enchilada sauce.
Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese
The dynamic duo of cheddar and Monterey Jack delivers both flavor and meltability. Cheddar adds sharpness while Monterey Jack brings that gooey, stretchy texture that makes every forkful irresistible.
Flour Tortillas
Instead of traditional corn tortillas, this recipe uses flour tortillas for a softer, more lasagna-like texture. They absorb the sauce and hold up well to baking, creating neat, satisfying layers.
Optional Garnishes
Top your finished casserole with chopped fresh cilantro, green onions, or black olives for color, freshness, and a pop of flavor.
Versatility and Customization
One of the biggest appeals of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or looking to use up leftovers, this dish is incredibly flexible.
Additions to Consider:
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A layer of refried beans or black beans for added fiber and heartiness
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Corn kernels for a pop of sweetness and color
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Jalapeños for an extra kick of heat
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Diced bell peppers or sautéed mushrooms for a veggie-forward twist
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A dash of hot sauce or chipotle in adobo for smoky heat
Make It Ahead
This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and baked when you’re ready to eat. It also freezes beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep or new-parent food gifts.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is a meal in itself, but you can always round it out with simple sides:
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A crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette
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Mexican-style rice or cilantro-lime rice
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Tortilla chips and guacamole or salsa
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A dollop of Greek yogurt or more sour cream on top
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Fresh lime wedges for a citrusy finish
You could also serve this dish buffet-style for parties, where everyone can top their serving with their choice of condiments like pico de gallo, avocado slices, or shredded lettuce.
Nutrition and Portion Planning
Each serving of this casserole packs in protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making it an energizing, filling dish. If you’re watching your calorie intake, consider using reduced-fat cheese and sour cream or substituting ground turkey for beef. You can even swap in low-carb tortillas if that fits your dietary needs.
For a crowd, this casserole feeds about six hearty portions, but you can easily double the recipe in a larger pan if you’re feeding a party. Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing, let it cool completely, then portion into airtight containers or wrap the entire dish in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge (if frozen), then reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick lunch or dinner.
Why Families Love It
The Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole is a hit with kids and adults alike. Its mild flavors make it approachable for younger palates, and the gooey cheese layer is enough to win over even picky eaters. It’s one of those reliable, go-to meals that you can count on when you want something warm, filling, and comforting on the table fast.
Busy parents especially appreciate that it can be made in one dish, cutting down on both prep and cleanup time. And with so many variations and optional toppings, it never feels like the same meal twice.
Conclusion
The Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole isn’t just a meal, it’s a weeknight hero, a freezer-friendly lifesaver, and a Tex-Mex celebration in every slice. It captures everything you love about enchiladas in a simplified, family-friendly format that makes dinner stress-free and delicious.
From the bubbling cheesy top to the saucy beef layers tucked between warm tortillas, this casserole is a comfort food classic you’ll want to keep in regular rotation. Easy to make, easy to love, and even easier to customize, it’s the kind of dish that brings people together around the table, just the way good food should.