Layering the corn tortillas instead of rolling them makes this Tex-Mex recipe extra quick and easy!
If you prefer chicken you'll love this creamy chicken enchilada casserole.
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Hearty recipe with lots of Mexican flavor and it's so much easier than traditional enchiladas. Budget-friendly and feeds a crowd.
- This beefy casserole makes dinner time a snap, and lets the oven do the work. It's perfect for busy weeknights and as a great way to change up Taco Tuesday.
- It's important that you NOT store this covered with aluminum foil. Read the storage sections to find out why.
If you love Tex-Mex food as much as I do this recipe will be on your table on a regular basis.
If you try this you'll want to try my ground beef Dorito casserole.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions for this Mexican casserole in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Diced bell peppers can be added to the beef when you are browning it for a great flavor.
- Add a little spice to this beef enchilada recipe by mixing in a can of green chilies to the beef before layering in the casserole dish.
- Mexican cheese blend would make a great melting cheese to sprinkle on top of the tortillas.
- If you are not a fan of red sauce, you can use green enchilada sauce instead.
- Refried beans or pinto beans make a great substitution for black beans in this recipe.
- Not a fan of corn tortillas? Use small flour tortillas instead in the prepared baking dish. Be aware that flour tortillas will get soggy.
- Reduce the fat in this delicious dinner by using ground turkey or ground venison in place of ground beef.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Brown ground beef and onions over medium heat, but the beef mixture is no longer pink.
- Mix in the taco seasoning, black beans, and water to the meat mixture.
- Cut the corn tortillas in half, and then spread ¼ cup of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Layer the remaining enchilada sauce and ingredients to build the casserole.
Looking for classic enchiladas? Try this creamy beef and green chile enchilada recipe!
🎥 Video
🥫 How to store leftover beef enchilada casserole
Store leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container for up three days.
This dish can be assembled and then frozen for up to three months.
Be sure to put plastic wrap over it before you cover it with aluminum foil. The ingredients in this recipe will react with the aluminum and it won't taste very good.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: If you are cooking with lean ground beef add a small amount of olive oil to the pan to prevent the beef from sticking and to help it brown.
- Add a little spice to the beef mixture by tossing in a dash of cayenne pepper or adding some green chiles.
- Out of fresh onions? You can use one teaspoon of onion powder with the raw beef for the same flavor.
- Top this easy beef enchilada casserole recipe with your favorite toppings, like green onions, black olives, sour cream, and diced tomatoes.
- For extra flavor you can add a dash of salt and black pepper to the meat when you are cooking it.
- Instead of store-bought sauce, you can use a homemade delicious enchilada sauce.
- Be sure to drain the excess grease off the meat before adding in the taco seasoning and beans.
- Spray the baking dish well with cooking spray for easy clean-up.
- I like to use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded because it melts better without the cellulose.
- Sprinkle a few fresh cilantro leaves on top of your casserole when it's finished baking for a fresh flavor.
No tortillas? Try this hobo casserole made with potatoes!
👩🍳 FAQs
Yes, for this recipe we are layering the tortillas instead of rolling them!
Yes, for this recipe we are covering it for the first 30 minutes of baking, and then finishing it uncovered to crisp up the cheese.
You can use taco sauce, or even salsa mixed with a packet of taco seasoning instead of enchilada sauce but it's not as good.
📚 Related recipes
- If you love Mexican casseroles then you are going to love this make-ahead friendly Crescent Roll Taco Casserole recipe.
- Mexican food is a staple on our weekly meal plans, and this Cheesy Mexican Lasagna recipe is one of my favorite casseroles.
- John Wayne Casserole is layers of ground beef, creamy sauce, and biscuits in an easy casserole that the whole family will enjoy.
Here are more easy recipes with ground beef.
🍽️ Serve with...
I like to do the whole Mexican restaurant experience with chips and Velveeta queso, a crunchy Frito corn salad, and a white Texas sheet cake for dessert.
📞 The last word
You can make this extra special with this homemade enchilada sauce! It keeps in the fridge for days so you can make it ahead of time.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 10 corn tortillas, cut in half
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pepper jack, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Add the ground beef and onion to a heavy skillet that's been sprayed with no stick spray (or a tablespoon of oil).
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often and breaking up chunks of ground beef.
- When the meat is fully cooked and the onions have softened add the taco seasoning, beans, and enough of the water to moisten the mixture.. Stir.
- Spread ¼ cup of the enchilada sauce evenly over the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer ⅓ of the tortillas over the sauce, covering the bottom
- Add ½ of the meat mixture.
- Add 1 cup of the cheese evenly over the meat.
- Pour ½ cup of the enchilada sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers with ⅓ of the tortillas, the rest of the ground beef mixture, a cup of cheese and ½ cup of sauce.
- Add the final ⅓ of tortillas on top of the casserole and pour the rest of the sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
- Sprinkle with green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, or other favorite toppings.
Notes
- If you are using very lean ground meat you may need to add a little olive oil to the pan before cooking so it won't stick.
- Out of fresh onions? You can use one teaspoon of onion powder with the raw beef for the same flavor.
- Be sure to drain the excess grease off the meat before adding in the taco seasoning and beans.
- I like to use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded because it melts better without the cellulose.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published February 28, 2022. Last updated for editorial improvements September 7, 2023 for editorial corrections and more information.
Michelle Bogart says
Despite having all my ingredients right there, I managed to forget to put the taco seasoning and beans in this. However, I cooked the hamburger with garlic and an onion with peppers mix. I think that saved it. lol I will be making it again and this time I will be sure to add the seasoning! Surprisingly, it was still good and will be repeated. Making enchiladas is usually a messy process and this gives you that flavor without the mess.
Jo says
If you freeze it, how long to cook from frozen?
Marye says
I like to thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed but you can bake from frozen in about 2x the time listed.
Jo says
My husband loves it! Added salsa and tomatoes on top because it wasn’t spicy enough. Thanks for answering, he couldn’t wait so we burned it a little. It will be added to our Tried & True recipes (we will just cook it the right amount next time). Yum!
Sorry, couldn’t figure out how to add a picture.
Becky Mansfield says
This beef enchilada casserole is such a great addition to our menu! Our kids love tacos, but had never had enchiladas... so we decided to try this & it was an instant hit. Thanks for sharing!
Camden Rusincovitch says
I love how savory this beef enchilada casserole is! It's very filling and I enjoyed having it for leftovers as well.
Alyssa says
This beef enchilada casserole looks amazing. Enchiladas are one of my favorite meals, so I can't wait to give this a try!
Brittany says
Do you know how excited I got when I saw that I didn't have to actually roll up the enchiladas for this beef enchilada casserole?! I don't know why, but that step always seems like such a hassle! I love this layering technique instead!
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
On the menu this week and I have my fingers crossed. We have been so overplanned it has been hard to get meals on the table. We all love beef enchiladas so I am hoping beef enchilada casserole will be a win.
Kristen M Yard says
My family has been getting tired of our Taco Tuesday regulars, and I was looking for a new recipe to make! This creamy beef enchilada casserole is perfect!
LISA G DAVIES says
I made this almost exactly as your recipe. I do not care for the red enchilada sauce so nI used the green, which I have used in place of red many times and it works out well. I also added corn to the pan just before it was done cooking. Tasted great!!! So easy too! Big hit with everyone.
Kristin Clark says
Do you add the Cheddar cheese and Pepper Jack cheese together, it doesn't specify?
Marye says
Yes. Together