Beef Enchiladas with Cheese (Printable)

Tender tortillas rolled with seasoned beef, covered in rich sauce and melted cheese, baked until golden and bubbly.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp chili powder
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Assembly

09 - 8 medium flour tortillas (8-inch)
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
11 - 1 can (15 oz) enchilada sauce (red)
12 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
13 - 1/2 cup sour cream, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add the onion and garlic; cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
05 - Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish.
06 - Lay out a tortilla. Place about 1/3 cup beef mixture and 2 tbsp shredded cheese down the center. Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in the dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
07 - Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
09 - Let cool 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade beef filling tastes infinitely better than anything from a can or freezer aisle
  • This recipe scales beautifully for meal prep and actually tastes better the next day
  • The contrast between slightly crisp tortilla edges and tender cheesy centers is pure comfort
02 -
  • Cold tortillas crack when you try to roll them, so warm them briefly in the microwave or in a dry skillet first
  • Don't overfill the tortillas or they'll burst open during baking and you'll lose all that precious filling
  • Letting the beef mixture cool slightly before rolling makes it much easier to handle and less messy
03 -
  • Mix a little of the enchilada sauce into the beef filling to keep it extra moist and flavorful
  • If your tortillas still seem stiff after warming, brush them lightly with oil before filling
Go Back