cheesy ground beef enchilada bake

🧀 Cheesy Ground Beef Enchilada Bake

A hearty, family-style casserole with seasoned beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and plenty of melted cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (10 oz / 280 g) enchilada sauce
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained (optional)
• 1 cup corn kernels (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven
   • Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the beef
   • In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
   • Drain excess fat if needed.
   • Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
   • Cook for 1 minute.
   • Stir in black beans and corn if using.
3. Assemble
   • Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce in the baking dish.
   • Arrange a layer of tortillas (cut as needed to fit).
   • Add half of the beef mixture.
   • Spoon over some enchilada sauce.
   • Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
   • Repeat the layers.
   • Finish with the remaining sauce and cheese on top.
4. Bake
   • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
   • Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Rest and serve
   • Let stand for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Avocado or guacamole
• Tomato, diced
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños

Tips

• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Use pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Assemble ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Serves: 6–8 people
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 30–35 minutes