Ultimate Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas: Your Family’s Favorite Freezer Meal

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these incredible ground beef enchiladas, a classic Tex-Mex comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. The secret to their irresistible flavor lies in a rich, homemade chili sauce that perfectly complements the savory, seasoned ground beef and tender corn tortillas. This recipe isn’t just about deliciousness; it’s also incredibly practical. These enchiladas are a fantastic make-ahead meal, perfect for busy weeknights or for stocking your freezer, ensuring a hearty, satisfying dinner is always within reach. Forget bland store-bought versions – once you try these, you’ll never go back!

⏲️ Time Needed to Make Delicious Ground Beef Enchiladas

One of the best aspects of this easy ground beef enchilada recipe is its efficiency. You can have a wholesome, flavorful meal on the table in under an hour! The total time from start to finish is approximately 45 minutes, broken down as follows:

• Prep Time: About 20 minutes. This includes chopping the onion, mincing garlic, gathering ingredients for the sauce, and browning the ground beef.
• Bake Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes. Once assembled, these enchiladas bake quickly until they are heated through and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

This makes them an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner when you need something quick yet satisfying. If you’re looking to save even more time, consider chopping your onion and mincing garlic in advance, or even making the sauce a day or two before assembly. Every minute saved in prep means more time enjoying your homemade ground beef enchiladas!

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Ground Beef Enchiladas

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create complex and comforting flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to create our easy ground beef enchiladas, broken down into sauce and filling/topping components for clarity:

For the Rich Homemade Enchilada Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups water: The base for our sauce, helping to achieve the perfect consistency.
• 8 ounces can tomato sauce: Adds a tangy depth and rich color to the enchilada sauce.
• 3 teaspoons chili powder: This is the star spice, providing that authentic enchilada flavor. Adjust to your preferred heat level.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the sauce.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Freshly minced garlic delivers a pungent aroma and flavor that’s crucial for a truly authentic taste.

For the Hearty Ground Beef Filling and Toppings:

• 2 pounds ground beef: We recommend using a lean ground beef (e.g., 85/15 or 90/10) to minimize excess grease. This forms the substantial, flavorful core of your enchiladas.
• 1 onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to the beef filling. Yellow or white onions work well.
• 1 teaspoon oregano: A classic herb in Mexican cuisine that pairs wonderfully with beef and chili flavors.
• Garlic salt to taste: Used to season the ground beef, providing a convenient blend of salt and garlic. You can also use garlic powder and salt separately.
• 10 soft corn tortillas: The foundation of your enchiladas. Look for “super soft” varieties to prevent tearing during rolling. Corn tortillas offer that authentic flavor and texture.
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully over the top, adding creamy texture and savory goodness. You can also use a Mexican blend cheese.
• 4 ounces can sliced black olives: An optional but highly recommended topping that adds a briny, earthy counterpoint to the richness of the enchiladas.

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas

Follow these straightforward steps to assemble your delicious homemade ground beef enchiladas. Precision in steps ensures the best flavor and texture for this classic dish.

1. Prepare the Homemade Enchilada Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, and minced garlic. Stir well to integrate all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to continue simmering while you prepare the meat filling. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a rich base for your enchiladas. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the Ground Beef Filling: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. As the beef cooks, break it apart with a spoon. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and continue to cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion has softened and turned translucent, usually about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Season the beef and onion mixture with oregano and garlic salt to taste, ensuring it’s well distributed for maximum flavor.
3. Assemble the Enchiladas: Take one soft corn tortilla. Spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef and onion filling down the center of the tortilla. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make rolling difficult.
4. Roll and Arrange: Carefully roll up the tortilla, securing the filling inside. Place the rolled enchilada seam-side down in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. This helps keep the enchiladas neat and prevents them from unrolling during baking.
5. Repeat for All Tortillas: Continue this process, filling and rolling the remaining tortillas, arranging them snugly in the baking dish. You should be able to fit approximately 10 enchiladas in a standard 9×13-inch pan.
6. Add Sauce and Toppings: Once all enchiladas are arranged in the dish, pour the simmering homemade enchilada sauce evenly over the top, ensuring each enchilada is well-covered. Then, generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce. Finally, scatter the sliced black olives over the cheese for an extra pop of flavor and color.
7. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the enchiladas are heated through, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the tortillas are slightly crisp. The sauce should also be gently simmering around the enchiladas.
8. Serve Hot: Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing the cheese to set slightly and preventing any sauce from spilling. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

💭 Pro Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Enchiladas

Achieving restaurant-quality ground beef enchiladas at home is easier than you think with these helpful tips and tricks:

• Softening Corn Tortillas is Key: The most common challenge with corn tortillas is their tendency to break when rolled. To prevent this, always look for corn tortillas specifically labeled “super soft.” If your tortillas are still stiff or prone to cracking, you have a few options:
  • Sauce Dip Method: Briefly dip each tortilla into the warm enchilada sauce (just a quick pass, don’t let it soak) before adding the filling and rolling. This makes them pliable and infuses extra flavor.
  • Microwave Steam Method: Stack a few tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Repeat with remaining tortillas. The steam makes them soft and flexible.
  • Skillet Warm-up Method: Quickly warm each tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 10-15 seconds per side until they become pliable.
• Don’t Skip Draining the Beef: After browning the ground beef, it’s crucial to drain any excess fat. This prevents your enchiladas from becoming greasy and ensures the sauce can properly adhere to the filling.
• Seasoning the Beef: While the recipe calls for garlic salt and oregano, feel free to enhance the beef filling with other Tex-Mex spices like cumin, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a little kick. Taste and adjust before rolling!
• Cheese Choice: While cheddar is a classic, don’t hesitate to experiment with other cheeses. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of Mexican cheeses will also melt beautifully and add diverse flavors. For an extra creamy texture, you could even mix a bit of cream cheese into your beef filling.
• Customizing Your Sauce: If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small amount of finely diced jalapeño to the simmering sauce. For a richer, deeper flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder or a dash of coffee to the sauce (this is a traditional Mexican mole trick!).
• Even Sauce Distribution: Ensure the sauce is poured evenly over all the enchiladas. This guarantees that every bite is moist and flavorful and prevents any dry spots.
• Optional Toppings for Serving: Beyond cheese and olives, consider serving your enchiladas with fresh toppings like chopped cilantro, diced avocado or guacamole, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, pico de gallo, or thinly sliced green onions. These add freshness and contrast.

❄️ Freezer Meal Instructions: Make Ahead & Enjoy Later

These ground beef enchiladas are an excellent freezer-friendly meal, making them perfect for meal prep or for sharing with friends and family. Here’s how to properly freeze and reheat them:

🥗 Delicious Side Dishes for Your Enchiladas

Ground beef enchiladas are a complete meal on their own, but pairing them with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience. Here are some of our family’s favorite accompaniments:

• Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice: A classic pairing, this flavorful rice adds another layer of authentic Tex-Mex taste and texture. Its fluffy grains and seasoned tomatoes perfectly complement the rich enchiladas.
• Refried Beans: Creamy, savory refried beans are a staple side dish for enchiladas. You can make them from scratch or use good quality canned refried beans for convenience. A sprinkle of cheese or a dollop of sour cream on top enhances their flavor.
• Fresh Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the hearty enchiladas. It adds a fresh, vibrant element and helps to balance the richness of the dish.
• Corn on the Cob or Elote: Sweet corn, either simply buttered or prepared as Mexican street corn (elote) with mayo, cheese, and chili powder, makes a fantastic seasonal side.
• Guacamole and Chips: While often a starter, a bowl of fresh guacamole served with tortilla chips can also serve as a delightful side, adding healthy fats and creamy texture.

Recipe

Ground Beef Enchiladas

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Homemade sauce and hearty corn tortillas are the stars of these ground beef enchiladas. These are a great dish for the freezer, too!

Author:
Mary Ann

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⏱️

Prep Time
20 mins

Cook Time
25 mins

Total Time
45 mins

🍽️

Course
Main Dish

Cuisine
Tex-Mex

🥄

Servings

10
enchiladas

Calories
404

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups water
• 8 ounces can tomato sauce
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Enchiladas:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Garlic salt to taste
• 10 soft white corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces can sliced black olives

Instructions

1. Combine all sauce ingredients (water, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt, minced garlic) in a medium saucepan and simmer over low heat while preparing the rest of the enchiladas.
2. Brown ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Season with oregano and garlic salt to taste.
3. Place a portion of the meat filling in the middle of each soft corn tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and place it seam-side down in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
4. Repeat the filling and rolling process until all tortillas are used or the baking dish is full.
5. Pour the homemade enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas. Cover generously with shredded cheddar cheese and scatter the sliced black olives on top.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the enchiladas are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Look for corn tortillas labeled as “super soft” to avoid issues with the tortillas breaking when you assemble the enchiladas. If your tortillas are breaking when you roll them, you can either dip them into the enchilada sauce before filling, or you can steam them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds covered with a damp paper towel.

To freeze enchiladas, place filled enchiladas in a freezer- and oven-safe pan and cover with foil. Package sauce, cheese, and olives separately and assemble before cooking. Label with “Ground Beef Enchiladas: Thaw completely, pour sauce over enchiladas, and top with cheese and olives. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.”

Nutrition per serving

Calories:
404 cal


Carbohydrates:
16 g


Protein:
34 g


Fat:
23 g


Sodium:
879 mg


Fiber:
3 g


Sugar:
2 g


Net Carbohydrates:
13 g

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