These ground beef enchiladas are made with a homemade enchilada sauce, stuffed with Mexican beef and loaded with plenty of cheese!
If you’re looking for an epic enchilada recipe then look no further! Follow me…
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Step away from the store bought enchilada sauce. I repeat, step away from the store bought enchilada sauce 🤪 All jokes aside enchilada sauce is WAY too easy not to make. It’s great to prep ahead of time and I bet you’ve already got half the ingredients on hand.
Red Enchilada Sauce
Enchilada sauce typically comes in the ‘red’ or ‘green’ variety. Today we’re going red. To make the base of the sauce you’re essentially making a roux, which will help thicken the sauce. However instead of using your regular butter, flour and milk, you’ll use oil, flour and stock.
Tomato Puree
I.e. Tomato Paste. This will not only give you that gorgeous colour, but it also offers a nice base flavour for the sauce. One tip is to ensure you fry off the tomato puree. This will take the ‘bite’ out of it and ever-so-slightly sweeten it. So, once you stir the flour into the oil, stir in the tomato puree and fry before whisking in the stock.
Chilli Powder
This gives the bulk of the flavour. You can easily work to your spice preference and just add in as much as you’d like. Just absolutely make sure it’s regular mild chilli powder NOT cayenne pepper.
Process shots: heat oil (photo 1), stir in flour (photo 2), add tomato puree (photo 3), stir into paste (photo 4), gradually whisk in stock (photo 5), add seasoning (photo 6), simmer until able to coat the back of a spoon (photo 7).
Ground Beef Enchilada Filling
The beef filling again is very simple. I usually go for beef that’s around 5% fat – that way it doesn’t leak out too much fat and make the enchiladas oily. Alongside the beef and spices, I throw in some red pepper, onion and garlic and some of the enchilada sauce to keep the filling nice and juicy!
What else can I add to the beef filling?
To make them extra spicy you could add jalapeños, to bulk everything out a bit more consider adding black beans.
Process shots: fry pepper, onion and garlic in oil (photo 1), add beef (photo 2), break up and brown (photo 3), stir in seasoning (photo 4).Â
How to wrap enchiladas
Refried beans
These will not only add flavour, they’ll not only stop the filling from drying out, but they’ll all keep everything in tact. I highly recommend adding these – you’ll find them in most mainstream stores.
Cheese
Because why only put cheese on top of enchiladas when you can stuff cheese through the centre? 🤣 Here I sprinkle a pinch of Mexican/Spicy cheese blend in the centre, you know, just to be extra.
Process shots: lay tortilla flat and spread with refried beans (photo 1), add beef (photo 2), add cheese (photo 3), roll (photo 4).
Baked Beef Enchiladas
To kick things off you’ll want to pour around 1/4 of your enchilada sauce into the base of the dish. You’ll also want to pour a little in between each enchilada and between the outside enchiladas and the pan, just to stop everything from sticking together.
From there it’s just a case of pouring over the rest of your sauce, sprinkling over infinite amounts of cheese and popping in the oven until golden and delicious.
What cheese to use for enchiladas?
In reality you can use most ‘melty’ cheeses. As mentioned earlier, I use spicy cheese blend in the centre, and here I top with cheddar. Monterey Jack also works nicely!
Process shots: pour sauce in dish (photo 1), stuff in enchiladas (photo 2), pour over more sauce (photo 3) top with cheese and bake (photo 4).
Serving Beef Enchiladas
Once they’re fresh out the oven I go in with a good sprinkling of fresh coriander/cilantro. From there I usually serve individual portions with the following toppings:
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Spring Onion
- Lime Wedges (optional)
Can I prep these ahead of time?
I don’t recommend prepping them fully because they’ll go soggy, but you can definitely make the sauce and roll the enchiladas in advance, which actually make up the bulk of prep!
And there we have it! All my top tips for the most glorious ground beef enchiladas.
If you’re after more ground beef Tex Mex recipes check out my Ground Beef Tacos and Ground Beef Quesadillas!
For more similar recipes check out these beauties too:
Delicious Tex Mex Recipes
- Chicken Fajita Nachos
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas
- Chipotle Chicken Taquitos
- Mini Burrito Tortilla Cups
- ALL TEX MEX RECIPES
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these beef enchiladas shall we?!
How to make Beef Enchiladas (Full Recipe & Video)
Ground Beef Enchiladas
Equipment:
- 11" x 14" Baking Dish
- Large Pan & Wooden Spoon
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Jug (for stock)
- Cheese Grater
- Plastic Spatula/Turner
- Whisk
Ingredients (check list):
Enchilada Sauce
- 720ml / 3 cups Chicken Stock
- 3 tbsp Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 3 tbsp Flour
- 1 tbsp Hot Chilli Powder, or to spice preference (see notes)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Oregano
- 1/4 tsp EACH: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Ground Beef
- 500g / 1lb lean Ground/Minced Beef (5-10%)
- 1 large Red Pepper, finely diced
- 1 medium White Onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves of Garlic, finely diced
- 2 tsp EACH: Paprika, Cumin
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Enchiladas
- 8x 6"-7" Flour Tortilla Wraps
- half a 435g/15oz can of Refried Beans
- 200-250g / 2 - 2.5 cups Cheddar, to top
- 100-150g / 1 - 1.5 cups Mexican/Spicy Cheese Blend, to stuff inside (or more cheddar)
To Serve (optional)
- Sour Cream (recommended)
- Avocado, diced
- Fresh Tomato, diced
- Green/Spring Onion, finely sliced
- Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, finely diced
- Lime Wedges
Instructions:
Sauce
- In a large pot or pan over medium heat add 3 tbsp oil. Once hot, stir in 3 tbsp flour. Stir in 3 tbsp tomato puree and fry it off for a minute or so. By now a paste should form and at this point gradually begin adding in your stock, whisking as you go to avoid any lumps forming.
- Once you've added the stock, season with chilli powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste. Simmer for a few mins to thicken, then remove from heat (it will thicken more as it rests).
Beef
- In a large pan over medium heat add a drizzle of oil, then add in onion, red pepper and garlic. Fry until it all softens and begins to take on colour, then add in beef. Break up with a wooden spoon and fry until brown.
- Stir in paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, then stir in 1/4 cup / 60ml of the enchilada sauce. Remove from heat.
Enchiladas
- Lay out all of the wraps and spread each one with a dollop of refried beans in the bottom 1/3 of the wrap. Top with the beef, finish with some cheese then tightly roll up.
- Spread 1/4 of the enchilada sauce in a 11" x 14" baking dish, then place in the enchiladas seam-side-down. Pour over the remaining sauce, sprinkle with cheese then bake in the oven at 350F/180C for 25-30mins, or until the cheese is golden and gooey on top with the sauce bubbling around the edges.
Serve
- Sprinkle over coriander/cilantro whilst in the pan, then serve up individual portions with desired toppings!
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
30 Comments
Emma
July 31, 2024 at 12:56 amSuch a great recipe! It’s so fresh and delicious. I like to add mushrooms and top with mango pico!
Chris Collins
July 31, 2024 at 10:45 amThanks for the review, Emma! 🙂 C.
Lee Wickham
July 16, 2024 at 11:11 pmMade these tonight and WOW – stunning, will be making these time and time again – love every recipe of yours I’ve made so far Chris (especially the Chilli Hot Pot which is now a family favorite) – keep them coming!! Lee
Chris Collins
July 17, 2024 at 1:48 pmSo pleased to hear, Lee! Thanks so much for popping back for a review 🙂 C.
Betty
April 26, 2024 at 7:43 pmYummm these remind me of what we call wet burritos here in California. They have similar ingredients just in a bigger tortilla, bigger portions and smoothered in enchilada sause and melted cheese. We like to top with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, salsa etc..Super tasty!
Chris Collins
April 27, 2024 at 10:12 amSounds delish Betty! C.
Lynn
February 14, 2024 at 9:18 pmHello Chris from Canada! First, I just have to let you know that I love your new cookbook! Congratulations! I commented earlier on this beef enchilada recipe and I was wondering if you could come up with a version of enchiladas using shredded or pre cooked chicken. I’d love to try your version!
Chris Collins
February 16, 2024 at 7:49 amHey Lynn! So pleased the book has found its way to you 🙂 I’ll definitely put a chicken enchilada on the ‘to-cook’ list! C.
Ingrid Gospodin
April 3, 2024 at 7:11 pmI’ve just made these with shredded chicken, followed the exact same recipe but instead of the ground beef I just added shredded chicken thighs that I had already pressure cooked, it was delicious
Chris Collins
April 4, 2024 at 1:31 pmThanks so much for the review, Ingrid! 🙂 C.
Liza
October 14, 2023 at 8:32 pmThe sauce was yummy. However, usually you want to use corn tortillas vice flour tortillas to wrap your enchilada. They hold up better. And no to refried beans in the enchiladas, it’s usually served on the side. (Pro tip for sure bought refried beans, add some bacon grease when hearing it up to give it a smoky flavor.)
Chris Collins
October 15, 2023 at 4:54 pmThanks Liza! C.
Angel
September 2, 2023 at 11:30 pmJust made these and they were amazing! Super easy to make. I did two separate meats: ground beef and ground chicken. Both delicious. Thank you for the easy recipe!
Chris Collins
September 3, 2023 at 5:19 pmSo great to hear they went down well!! 🙂 C.
Teri
July 31, 2023 at 5:27 pmBest enchiladas I’ve made. One tbs chipotle powder in the sauce was good for me. Thanks so much for the recipe. So excited to explore with chicken and pork. Easy to follow recipe.
Chris Collins
July 31, 2023 at 6:44 pmThanks so much for the review, Teri! 🙂 C.
Lynn
March 4, 2022 at 1:41 amSoooo good! I made this recipe to the letter without any substitutions and we loved this dish. The enchilada sauce really makes this recipe! For our taste buds, 1 1/2 tbsps. of chili powder in the enchilada sauce was perfect. Bring on more sensational recipes, Chris!
Chris Collins
March 4, 2022 at 9:31 amSo happy to hear this went down well, Lynn! Thanks for the review 🙂
Toni
November 22, 2020 at 6:27 pmThis are incredibly delicious!! Thank you for your detailed photos and info. It made them very easy to pull together.
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:26 amGreat to hear! Thanks Toni 🙂
Liz
November 22, 2020 at 3:57 pmThese look stunning! Nothing I love more than homemade sauces! I’ll definitely have to try these out!
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:25 amHope you love them! 🙂
Erika
November 22, 2020 at 3:06 pmThese enchiladas look amazing! I’ve never made them with ground beef before, but I need to try this now! I love how flavorful this all looks.
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:25 amYou so gotta try it! Ground beef is a game changer 🙂
Suzy
November 22, 2020 at 2:51 pmSeriously our favorite way to make enchiladas! The kids loved them! So tasty!
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:24 amAwesome! Thanks Suzy!
Angela
November 22, 2020 at 2:40 pmLove enchiladas! These are absolute perfection. The flavors are spot on. YUM!
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:24 amThanks Angela!
Jamie
November 22, 2020 at 1:23 pmThese look so incredible! I think this would make the perfect dinner for my family. Saving to try later this week!
Chris Collins
November 24, 2020 at 10:24 amLove it! Hope you enjoy 🙂