Baked Beef Enchilada Casserole (Print Version)
Layered Tex-Mex beef casserole with cheese, beans, and corn baked between tortillas.
# What You Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup corn kernels
→ Spices & Seasonings
06 - 2 tsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Sauces & Dairy
11 - 2 cups red enchilada sauce
12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Tortillas
14 - 8 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
→ Garnishes
15 - Chopped cilantro
16 - Diced fresh tomatoes
17 - Sliced jalapeños
18 - Sour cream
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, until browned (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat.
03 - Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Mix in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, corn kernels, and black beans (if using). Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer 4 tortillas over the sauce, overlapping as necessary.
06 - Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas. Top with 1/3 of the shredded cheeses. Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce over the beef layer.
07 - Place the remaining four tortillas on top. Spread the rest of the beef mixture over them, followed by another 1/3 of the cheeses.
08 - Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the casserole and top with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
09 - Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sour cream as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything bakes together in perfect harmony so flavors meld while you relax with a glass of wine
- Leftovers taste even better the next day making it ideal for meal prep or unexpected guests
02 -
- Draining the beef fat prevents the final dish from becoming greasy while maintaining all the meaty flavor
- Tortillas need that brief steam under foil to soften properly or they will turn tough and chewy
03 -
- Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds before layering so they fold without cracking
- Letting the casserole rest might be the hardest step but it is the difference between neat slices and a sloppy mess