Beef Enchilada Casserole

Thisย Beef Enchilada Casseroleย is cheesy, saucy, meaty, Mexican comfort food at its most craveable that readers call, โ€œYUMMM,โ€ โ€œWords can not express how delicious this turned out,โ€ and โ€œwhole family approved!โ€

As a San Diegan expert in creating flavor-packed, foolproof Mexican inspired ecipes, this recipe is elevated by the BEST bold, smoky, quick, and easyย homemade enchilada sauce, deeply seasoned beef, and creamy, cheesy layers that meld together perfectly in every bite. With step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and customizable options, you can trust this casserole will become a go-to family favorite!

how to make enchilada casserole video

up close of a slice of beef enchilada casserole showing the different layers


 

Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe

This Enchilada Casserole is one of our family favorites!ย It is adapted from readers’ favorite Mexican Lasagna to bring you the ultimate tried-and-true recipe!ย  Here’s why will be a new family tradition/obsession/delight:ย 

  • BEST HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE: Enchilada Casserole is only as good as the sauce it’s bathed in, and that of course, means myย homemade enchilada sauce.ย  It has nothing but rave reviews, I canโ€™t wait for you to try it!
  • ONE STEP FILLING: The casserole is loaded with juicy beef, tomatoes, beans, corn, olives and green chilies.ย This satisfying cast of characters are added directly to the enchilada sauce so they instantly are pumped with flavor and saves you from extra layering.
  • VERSATILE: You can follow this recipe as written, or mix it up with different beans, different veggies, swap the cheese and even make it with ground turkey or rotisserie chicken.
  • MAKE AHEAD FRIENDLY: This casserole can be assembled ahead, then just popped in the oven at dinnertime.ย  Dinner never tasted so good orย so easy.
  • CROWD FAVORITE:ย This recipe can satisfy your entire family at a fraction of the price of dining out.ย It is also great for crowds, dinner parties, company, meal planning or leftovers.ย 
  • FREEZER FRIENDLY:ย You can prep this Enchilada Casserole specifically to freeze or double the recipe and enjoy one casserole now and freeze one for later.ย 
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Beef Enchilada Casserole Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):ย 

  • Ground beef: I recommend using 85-90% lean Angus beef for the best flavor.  Angus meat is known for being more tender, marbled, and flavorful than regular beef. 
  • Aromatics:  the complexity of the flavor profile begins with the aromatics.  You will need 1 chopped yellow onion and 4-6 garlic cloves. 
  • Fire roasted diced tomatoes:ย  are located next to the traditional diced tomatoes. Fire roasted tomatoes are NOT spicy โ€“ the fire simply means they have been roasted which gives them a complex smokiness.
  • If you canโ€™t findย fire roasted diced tomatoes, then traditional diced tomatoes work just fine.
  • Beans:  I LOVE the addition of pinto beans to create irresistible creamy textural interest that complements the Enchilada Casserole without fighting it. 
  • Corn:  one 15 ounce can sweet corn or 1 ½ cups frozen sweet corn will both work.
  • Olives:  I am not a huge fan of olives but I think they are awesome in this Enchilada Casserole recipe.  You will need one 6. oz. can chopped black olives and more for garnish if you’d like.
  • Chopped green chiles: these come from a can and add a subtle tang. Take care you choose MILD chopped green chiles because the hot can is HOT. Mild green chiles, however are more tangy than hot so you donโ€™t have to worry about them making your lasagna spicy.  
  • Cheeses: both cheddar and Monterrey Jack please. Sharp cheese cuts through the earthy enchilada sauce and offers a distinct flavor contrast whereas Monterrey Jack offers hints of creamy, buttery flavor.ย Monterrey Jack also melts beautifully to create a creamier filling.
showing enchilada sauce to make enchilada casserole with
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Homemade Enchilada Sauce Ingredients

This Beef Enchilada Casserole is all about the sauce.ย  And letโ€™s be honest, not all sauces are created equal; store-bought sauces are all too often bland, watery, too tomato-y, and lacking depthโ€”but not this sauce!

Itโ€™s bursting with bold, rich smoky south-of-the-border depth with a hint of mole flair. The ingredient list might look lengthy, but they are pantry friendly, dump and simmer ingredients.ย 

The sauce is not only spectacularly tasting, but quick, easy, make ahead and freezer friendly.ย  You will need:

  • Chili powder:ย ย is where most of the flavor comes from so, please use a quality brand such as McCormick.ย 
  • Note: American chili powder is NOT cayenne pepper which it can sometimes be confused with internationally.ย  Chili powder is a blend of seasoning and 8X less spicy than cayenne pepper.
  • Seasonings:ย ย ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt and cayenne pepper.ย  They all work together to create a deep, satisfying complexity.
  • Tomato paste:  adds the signature tomato flavor and slight tanginess.
  • Flour:ย is added directly to the ground beef to make roux which will thicken the sauce. You can use all-purpose flour or all-purpose gluten free flour. ย 
  • Chicken broth: forms the base of the sauce.  You may substitute with vegetable broth but it is not as flavorful.
  • Cocoa powder + sugar:  this is an easy substitute for Mexican chocolate which Iโ€™m pretty sure most of you donโ€™t keep stocked.  It adds a depth of flavor you will LOVE.
  • Apple cider vinegar:  awakes the flavors of the sauce.  You may substitute with distilled white vinegar.

showing how to make beef enchilada casserole recipe by baking in the oven until cheese is melted

How to Make Beef Enchilada Casserole with Corn Tortillas

There are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, but please donโ€™t be intimidated!ย As you can see by the instructions to follow, most of the ingredients are just dumped into the pan. Hereโ€™s how to make the recipe (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

STEP 1 โ€“ CHAR TORTILLAS

  • Charring the tortillas over an open gas flame is optional but adds a subtle roasted corn flavor which is sublime.  You can char the tortillas days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.   
  • To lightly char tortillas, use tongs to place tortillas directly on the burner of your gas stove then flip with tongs once they are lightly charred in spots on one side.ย  You can also accomplish this on the grill as well.ย  I usually have multiple burners going so this process can be done in minutes.ย 
  • When tortillas are cool enough to handle, cut six of the tortillas in half with a pizza cutter, scissors or knife. Cutting them in half helps fill in the gaps in between the whole tortillas.

STEP 2 – COOK BEEF AND MAKE ENCHiLADA SAUCE

  • Weโ€™ll start by browning the beef and onions together then adding all of the enchilada sauce ingredients directly to the beef.
  • Once the beef is browned, sprinkle in the flour and all the seasonings and cook for a couple of minutes. This removes the raw flour taste and blooms the spices/amplifies and enhances their flavor.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook for one minute.  Sautรฉing the tomato paste deepens the flavor and helps remove the โ€œtinnyโ€ taste.
  • Next, stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, green chiles, cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon.
a 4 way collage showing how to make enchilada casserole recipe by 1) browning beef and onions, 2) sautรฉing tomato paste and spices, 3) adding tomatoes, broth and green chilies, 4) simmering until thickened

STEP 3 โ€“ simmer the sauce

  • Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to simmer, stirring often, until it thickens, about 10-15 minutes.  You want it to be thick but spreadable.

STEP 4 โ€“ add the beans

  • Finish the sauce with your add-ins of choice.  I like pinto beans, corn and olives.
showing how to make enchilada casserole recipe by adding beans, corn and olives to the enchilada sauce with the beef

STEP 5 โ€“ ASSEMBLE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

  • Layer 1:  Sauce. Spread one cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan (layer will be thin).
  • Layer 2:  Tortillas.  Place two whole tortillas in the middle of the dish and surround them by 6 tortilla halves to cover the meat filling.
  • Layer 3:  Meat mixture.  Top evenly with โ…“ of the remaining meat mixture (about 2 cups).
  • Layer 4:  Cheeses.  Top the tortillas evenly with 1 cup of the combined cheeses. Repeat:
  • Layer 5:  Tortillas
  • Layer 6:  Meat Mixture
  • Layer 7:  Cheeses
  • Layer 8:  Tortillas
  • Layer 9:  Meat mixture
  • Layer 10:  Cheeses
a collage showing how to assemble the enchilada casserole layers by repeating sauce, tortillas and cheese three times each

STEP 6 โ€“ BAKE

  • Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. 
  • Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 more minutes to golden bubbly deliciousness!
up close of enchilada casserole recipe sliced into slices garnished with tomatoes, olives and jalapenos

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WHAT TOPPINGS FOR ENCHILADA CASSEROLE?

This Enchilada Casserole is even better with ย toppings! ย Itโ€™s fun to create a topping bar and then let everyone pile on their favs.

  • More olives!ย ย I purchase two cans of olives and use one for topping.
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt:ย ย the bright tangy creaminess cuts through and compliments the earthy flavor profile.
  • Tomatoes:ย quartered cherry tomatoes or seeded, chopped Roma tomatoes or skip the plain tomatoes and use pico de gallo.
  • Pico de gallo:ย ย Use my homemade pico de de gallo recipe or store bought.ย You can make the pico de gallo ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.ย  Bring to room temperature before serving.
  • Cilantro:ย  if you skip the pico de gallo, you can load on fresh cilantro and tomatoes instead for a fresh, zesty flair.
  • Avocados:ย chopped or sliced avocados.
  • Guacamole:ย  use myย homemade guacamole recipeย (amazing!), your favorite recipe or even use store bought.
  • Hot Sauce: pass around the hot sauce so individuals can customize the heat.

Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe Tips

  • Use corn tortillas. Do not use flour tortillas or they will be soggy/mushy.
  • Pre-measure seasonings.  Measure out the seasonings before you start cooking.  You will want to add the seasonings all at once with the flour โ€“ and since there are quite a few -it is helpful to measure them out first so you donโ€™t have to stop and overcook the beef.
  • Donโ€™t skip cocoa!  The sugar, cocoa powder and the cinnamon (simulating Mexican chocolate) really enhance the authentic enchilada sauce recipe so please donโ€™t skip them!
  • Grate your own cheese.  Please use freshly grated cheeses because pre-shredded packaged cheeses use anti-clumping chemicals which prevent them from melting as well. 
  • Control consistency.  For a thicker meat sauce, simmer the sauce longer to reduce and thicken.  If you want thinner sauce, simply donโ€™t simmer the sauce as long.  If youโ€™re past that point, stir in chicken broth or water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
  • Customize ingredients.  You can customize the add-ins with any vegetables you like (see ideas to follow) or other add-ins such as pickled jalapenos.
side view of enchilada casserole recipe garnished with tomatoes and jalapenos

enchilada casserole RECIPE VARIATIONS

Please note that while you can omit any add-ins, you canโ€™t add more ingredients without swapping them for another ingredient or the sauce ratio will be off.ย ย For example, you canโ€™t just add zucchini, but you can swap zucchini for corn.ย 

  • Swap protein:ย  The ingredients work well for ground turkey or ground chicken as well. I suggest adding 1 teaspoon beef bouillon if adding ground poultry, decreasing the salt, and salting to taste. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken and stir it in at the end once the sauce has thickened.
  • Swap beans:ย Swap pinto beans with black beans but they donโ€™t offer the same creamy satisfaction in my opinion.ย  If you choose black beans, add them to the sauce earlier with the diced tomatoes so they have time to simmer and soften a bit. ย 
  • Add vegetables:ย  Zucchini, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spinach, jalapenos, etc.โ€”pick your favs!ย  You will want to swap some of the meat for extra veggies.
  • Swap cheese: Use more or less cheese. You can also swap the type of cheese but be aware this will change the flavor profile.ย  If you love spicy, consider using Pepper Jack cheese instead of Monterrey Jack.
  • Spice it up: if you love heat, you have a few options to spice up it up:ย 
  • 1) Add additional cayenne pepper to the sauce
  • 2)ย Add hot sauce to the sauce
  • 3) Add chopped, pickled jalapenos to the filling
  • 4) Add minced chipotle peppers to the filling
  • 5) Swap the Monterrey for Pepper Jack.ย 
  • Allow everyone to control the spice level of their own portion by passing around a bottle of hot sauce.

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH ENCHILADA CASSEROLE RECIPE?

This Enchilada Casserole recipe is the main event and doesnโ€™t need much of a supporting cast, but I always love serving it with a green salad and some sort of fruit. Here are a few side ideas:

Enchilada casserole side ideas

Cilantro Lime Recipe | Carlsbad Cravings
top view of easy Pina Colada Fruit Salad with pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, strawberries and blueberries in a white bowl
authentic Mexican rice with fire roasted tomatoes in a blue skillet

    FAQs for this Beef Enchilada Recipe with Corn Tortillas

    HOW SPICY IS ENCHILADA CASSEROLE?

    This Enchilada Sauce recipe is not spicy, just flavorful.ย  Even with the cayenne pepper it should be just fine for little ones.ย  If you know you love heat then increase the cayenne pepper or pass around the hot sauce.

    up close of a slice of beef enchilada casserole showing how cheesy it is

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    up close of a slice of beef enchilada casserole showing the different layers

    Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe (with Corn Tortillas)

    Thisย Beef Enchilada Casseroleย is cheesy, saucy, meaty, Mexican comfort food at its most addicting! ย Juicy meat, creamy beans and sweet corn are enveloped in the BEST bold, smoky, quick and easy homemade enchilada sauce thenย layered between corn tortillas, cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese then baked to bubbling perfection. This Enchilada Casserole is always a crowd-pleaser, can be prepped in the morning and baked at night, made in mass quantities, and/or frozen for laterย for the ultimate make-ahead dinner. ย ย It also makes terrific leftovers โ€“ should you be so lucky.ย 
    Servings: 12 servings
    Prep Time: 45 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes

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    Ingredients

    BEEF FILLING

    ADD LATER

    • 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 15 oz. can sweet corn, drained
    • 1 6 oz. can chopped black olives, drained
    • 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • salt and pepper to taste

    LAYERS

    • 15 corn tortillas (cut 9 in half)
    • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Monterrey Jack cheese
    • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

    Instructions

    • OPTIONAL: char tortillas over the flame of a gas burner or in a cast iron skillet until lightly charred in spots.
    • PREP: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a deep 9X13-inch baking dish; set aside. Toss cheeses together; set aside.
    • COOK BEEF: Brown beef and onions in a Dutch oven or very large saucepan until almost cooked through. Sprinkle in flour and seasonings and cook for two minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook for one minute.
    • FILLING INGREDIENTS: Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, green chiles, cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon. Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 15 minutes. After the sauce has thickened, stir in beans, corn, olives and apple cider vinegar then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I add ยฝ teaspoon salt, ยผ teaspoon pepper).
    • ASSEMBLE: Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan (layer will be thin). Place 2 whole tortillas in the middle and surround them by by 6 tortilla halves (see photos) to cover. Top evenly with โ…“ of the remaining meat mixture (about 2 cups), followed by 1 cup of cheeses.
    • Repeat with another layer of tortillas, โ…“ meat mixture, and 1 cup cheeses. Finish with final layer of tortillas, remaining mixture and remaining cheeses.
    • BAKE: Cover the pan with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and casserole is heated through. Garnish with fresh tomatoes, olives, avocados, cilantro and sour cream if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks

    • Use corn tortillas. Do not use flour tortillas or they will be soggy/mushy.
    • Use inexpensive corn tortillas.ย  Save your favorite La Tortilla Factory corn tortillas, they are actually tooย thick for this recipe.ย 
    • Pre-measure seasonings.ย  Measure out the seasonings before you start cooking so you can add them all at once.
    • Donโ€™t skip cocoa!ย  The sugar, cocoa powder and the cinnamon (simulating Mexican chocolate) really enhance the authentic enchilada sauce recipe so please donโ€™t skip them!
    • Grate your own cheese.ย  Please use freshly grated cheeses because pre-shredded packaged cheeses use anti-clumping chemicals which prevent them from melting as well.ย 
    • Customize ingredients.ย  You can customize the add-ins โ€“ see post for ideas.

    Prep ahead

    • Assemble and refrigerate:ย make and assemble the entire Enchilada Casserole in advance, tightly cover and refrigerate (without baking) for up to 24 hours.ย When ready to cook, bake according to recipe directions, increasing the baking time (with the foil on) by approximately 10 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and completely heated through.ย  Note, that the longer the enchiladas are refrigerated, the softer the tortillas will become so it is a good idea to char the tortillas first.
    • Make meaty enchilada sauce: ย make the meaty sauce complete with all the add-ins up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate or freeze for up to 3 months.ย  If you use cold sauce in your casserole, you will need to bake it an addition 10 minutes or so with the foil on.
    • Prep toppings: chop and store toppings in airtight containers or baggies in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

    HOW to store and reheat

    • To store: tightly cover or transfer the enchilada casserole to an airtight container.ย  Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • To freeze: it is a good idea to char the tortillas or use thicker tortillas if you plan on freezing.ย  Either way, be aware that the tortillas will soften once frozen and thawed. ย To freeze, wrap the cooled casserole securely with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil.ย  Freeze for up to 3 months.ย ย  When ready to eat, cover tightly with foil and bake from frozen at 425 degrees F for 60 minutes, uncovered and bake an additional 15-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
    • To reheat in the oven: cover the pan with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
    • To reheat in the microwave: reheat individual servings in the microwave by transferring to a microwave safe plate and microwaving for 60 seconds.ย  Continue to microwave at 20 second intervals until heated through.

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    14 Comments

    1. Susan Melchior says

      Do you use the rotel tomatoes with chili or a not so spicy one. Love your recipes

      • Jen says

        I don’t use Rotel. I use fire roasted diced tomatoes without chilies or extra spices. Enjoy!

    2. Ekta says

      Words can not express how delicious this turned out. I had to make it with a few substitutions because I did not want to wait till I went grocery shopping next, ground chicken instead of beef, tomato paste instead of fire roasted tomatoes and it was still so YUMMM.

      • Jen says

        YAY! Thank you so much Ekta, I’m thrilled you loved it so much!

        • Marsi Friend says

          This recipe looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it. I keep Abuelita’s in the pantry. Is that the Mexican chocolate you were referring to?

            • Marsi Friend says

              Thank you! I am off to make this right now. Can’t wait!

            • Jen says

              Awesome, I hope you love it!

    3. Nikki says

      Hi Jen. Iโ€™m allergic to cocoa (itโ€™s ridiculous!). You said not to exclude it. Assuming the dish will still be delicious without it? Should I make any other changes if I exclude it?

      • Jen says

        Hi Nikki, the cocoa adds a mole flair but you can absolutely make it without it if you’re allergic!

    4. Ellie says

      Made this today for a mama with a new baby as well as our family and whole family approved! My four and two year old had clean plate clubs
      You never, ever disappoint!

      • Jen says

        That’s so nice of you, thanks Ellie! I’m so pleased it was another hit!

    5. Sarah says

      This was really good! All of the flavors worked so well together. In the future I will make this on a weekend because 90+ minutes in the kitchen on a weeknight is way too long. Itโ€™s easy to make, just takes forever from start to finish. Thanks for the recipe!

      • Jen says

        Hi Sarah! I’m so glad that you liked it! Week nights can be tricky days when you definitely don’t want to be too long in the kitchen! You can check out some of my 30-minute dinner recipes if you want to make something delicious in a shorter amount of time! Thank you for trying out my recipes!