Description
A quick and easy layered beef enchilada casserole that skips the tedious rolling process. It combines savory ground beef, zesty salsa, and melted cheese with broken tortillas for a comforting, family-friendly meal ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (medium heat)
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- 12 small corn tortillas, broken into quarters
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion; cook for 5-7 minutes until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in enchilada sauce and salsa. Stir to combine with the meat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. If using black beans, stir them in now.
- Break corn tortillas into quarters or large pieces.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Create a layer of tortilla pieces, then sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering process (meat sauce, tortillas, cheese) two more times for a total of 3 layers.
- Finish with a final layer of tortillas and cover generously with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling and edges are slightly crispy. Optionally broil for 2 minutes for extra color.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and avocado if desired.
Notes
If tortillas seem dry, sprinkle extra sauce over the top layer before baking. For a lighter option, substitute beef with turkey or chicken. Ensure tortillas and salsa are certified gluten-free if needed. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated; add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: beef enchilada casserole, easy dinner, family meal, quick recipes, comfort food, mexican inspired, ground beef recipes, casserole recipes