Packed with layers of flavor and comforting ingredients, this Beef Enchilada Casserole is the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table. It’s built with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes, all layered between soft corn tortillas and plenty of gooey cheese. The homemade enchilada-style sauce adds depth, and the baked finish brings it all together.
Ideal for family meals or prepping ahead of time, this dish is hearty, flavorful, and flexible. Serve it hot from the oven or freeze a batch for later. Either way, you’ll enjoy a bold and satisfying meal that tastes just as good the next day.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This casserole offers everything you want in a reliable dinner. It’s filled with comforting textures and rich flavor from a beefy tomato-based sauce, enhanced with spices and just the right balance of smoky and savory elements.
It’s also a great choice for batch cooking. Make it the day before or freeze it for another time. The layers hold together well after baking, and each serving delivers a perfect combination of meat, sauce, and melted cheese. Plus, it feeds a crowd with very little effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Beef
Choose a medium-fat option, like 85 to 90 percent lean ground beef. It has enough fat to stay juicy while keeping the dish from becoming greasy.
Yellow Onion
This gives a touch of sweetness and aromatic depth to the meat as it cooks.
All-Purpose Flour
Used to lightly thicken the sauce so that the layers stay structured and not watery.
Chili Powder
Adds smoky, earthy flavor without overwhelming heat. Be sure to use a chili blend, not pure cayenne.
Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder, Coriander
These warm, earthy spices enhance the richness of the meat and sauce.
Salt, Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano, Cayenne
These add complexity and bring out the savory elements in the sauce. Cayenne gives a hint of spice without overpowering the dish.
Minced Garlic
Fresh garlic provides a strong, aromatic base to the sauce.
Tomato Paste
Gives body to the sauce and deepens the tomato flavor with a rich, concentrated taste.
Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
Creates the liquid base of the sauce and lets the spices and meat shine without too much salt.
Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
These bring a slightly sweet, smoky note that adds depth and character to the sauce.
Mild Green Chiles
For a touch of flavor without extra heat, these chiles blend into the sauce beautifully.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Adds richness and mimics traditional mole-style flavors when paired with cinnamon and sugar.
Sugar and Ground Cinnamon
These help balance the acidity of the tomatoes and add subtle warmth.
Pinto Beans
They add creaminess and texture to the filling while boosting nutrition.
Sweet Corn
Corn provides a pop of sweetness that complements the smoky and savory elements.
Chopped Black Olives
These give the filling a slightly salty bite and add variety to each mouthful.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A splash of acidity at the end brightens the entire sauce and ties the flavors together.
Corn Tortillas
These hold up better than flour tortillas and give the casserole structure and flavor. Cut some in half for easier layering.
Shredded Monterey Jack and Sharp Cheddar Cheese
This combination melts smoothly and offers a perfect mix of creaminess and tang. Always grate it fresh for best results.
How to Make Beef Enchilada Casserole
This dish is prepared in three main stages: cook the beef filling, layer the ingredients, then bake until bubbly and golden. The result is a delicious, satisfying casserole that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Toast the Tortillas (Optional)
Lightly charring the tortillas helps them hold up better during baking. Use a dry skillet or gas flame to toast each side until you see light browning.
Step 2: Set Up the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch deep baking dish to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Cook the Meat and Onions
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
Step 4: Add Seasonings and Flour
Sprinkle in the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, and salt. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes so the flour and spices blend into the meat.
Step 5: Mix in Tomato Paste and Garlic
Add the tomato paste and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring, allowing the paste to deepen in flavor.
Step 6: Create the Sauce Base
Pour in the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, green chiles, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir thoroughly and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 7: Finish the Filling
Stir in the drained pinto beans, corn, chopped olives, and apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.
Step 8: Start Layering
Spoon about 1 cup of the meat mixture into the bottom of your baking dish. Lay down two whole tortillas in the center and surround them with halves to cover the surface.
Step 9: Add Filling and Cheese
Spread one-third of the meat mixture over the tortillas and top with one cup of the cheese blend.
Step 10: Repeat
Layer more tortillas, followed by another third of the meat mixture and another cup of cheese. Repeat this step once more to use all ingredients.
Step 11: Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 12: Uncover and Finish Baking
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes, until the top is melted and bubbling.
Step 13: Rest Before Serving
Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing so the layers set.
Helpful Tips
Freshly grated cheese melts much better than bagged pre-shredded versions.
If you plan to make the dish ahead or freeze it, toasting the tortillas will help them maintain their texture.
Measure your seasonings in advance to speed up the process while cooking.
Let the casserole rest after baking. This helps it slice cleanly and keeps the layers from slipping apart.
Details
Flavor: Deep, savory, with warm spices and a hint of sweetness
Texture: Soft, cheesy layers with tender tortillas and creamy beans
Occasion: Great for meal prep, casual dinners, or potlucks
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Notes
You can easily make swaps in this recipe to suit your preferences. Try using ground turkey instead of beef, or substitute black beans for pinto. You can also skip the olives or add heat with jalapeños. The key is maintaining a balance of sauce, protein, and tortillas in each layer.
This dish is freezer-friendly. To store long-term, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil and freeze. For best texture, toast your tortillas first.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Fat | 23g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Sugar | 6g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of beef works best for enchilada casserole?
Go for ground beef that is 85 to 90 percent lean. It gives you just the right amount of richness without being greasy.
Can beef enchilada casserole be made ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble it up to one day in advance, refrigerate, then bake when you’re ready. Add an extra 10 minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
Should tortillas be layered or mixed into enchilada casserole?
Always layer the tortillas. This keeps the structure intact and avoids a soggy texture.
How do you keep enchilada casserole from becoming soggy?
Use corn tortillas and lightly toast them. Avoid flour tortillas, which tend to break down more quickly.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave individual portions.
To freeze, cool the baked casserole completely, then wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil. Bake from frozen at 425°F for about an hour covered, then another 15–30 minutes uncovered until heated through.
Print
Beef Enchilada Casserole | Easy Family-Style Comfort
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Layered with savory beef, homemade sauce, beans, and cheese, this casserole is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for prepping ahead or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
4–6 garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup tomato paste
3 ½ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (4 oz) can mild green chiles
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained
1 (6 oz) can chopped black olives, drained
½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
15 corn tortillas (cut 9 in half)
1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Toast corn tortillas until slightly browned.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
3. Cook ground beef and onion until browned.
4. Add flour and all spices. Stir and cook 2 minutes.
5. Add tomato paste and garlic. Cook 1 minute more.
6. Pour in broth, tomatoes, chiles, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon. Simmer 15 minutes.
7. Stir in beans, corn, olives, vinegar. Remove from heat.
8. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in baking dish, top with tortillas.
9. Add ⅓ of meat mixture and 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers two more times.
10. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
11. Remove foil and bake 20 minutes more.
12. Let rest before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for better melting.
Toasting tortillas improves texture.
Assemble up to 1 day in advance.
Swap ingredients like turkey or black beans for variety.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 28g
Conclusion
This beef enchilada casserole is a must-make for anyone who loves bold flavors and comforting meals. It’s easy to prepare, makes a large batch, and offers flexibility whether you’re cooking for tonight or prepping for the week ahead. The balance of textures and flavors makes each bite unforgettable. Try it once and it may just become a regular in your kitchen rotation.