These ground beef enchiladas are everything you want in a weeknight dinner — cheesy, flavorful, and easy enough to throw together even if you’ve had one of those days. We’re talking about golden tortillas stuffed with seasoned beef, covered in rich enchilada sauce, and smothered in gooey cheese.
If that doesn’t say comfort food, I don’t know what does.
And here’s the best part — it all comes together in about 30 minutes. Trust me, even your picky eaters will be asking for seconds.
Why These Ground Beef Enchiladas Are the Best
First off, they’re incredibly simple. No fancy ingredients, no weird steps — just solid, dependable flavors that taste like something from your favorite Mexican restaurant.
These enchiladas are:
- Packed with taco-seasoned ground beef
- Wrapped in soft tortillas
- Baked with a generous layer of enchilada sauce and cheese
- Easily customizable with your favorite toppings or add-ins
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for make-ahead dinners
Plus, if you love quick, hearty meals like this, you’ll also want to check out our easy cheesy ground beef enchiladas dinner idea or try the cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into making this delicious dinner:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 soft tortillas (flour or corn — your call)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional add-ins:
- Black beans
- Diced green chilies
- Sliced olives
- Fresh cilantro
Nothing complicated here — just pantry staples doing their job.
How to Make Ground Beef Enchiladas
Let’s get to it. You’ll be surprised how fast these come together.
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. Drain the fat, then stir in the taco seasoning. You don’t need water — the beef’s juices will do the work.
Step 2: Prep the Baking Dish
Pour about ½ cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Swirl it around so the bottom is coated. This keeps the enchiladas from sticking.
Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Warm the tortillas slightly so they roll easier. Spoon some beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with a little cheese. Roll ’em up and place them seam-side down in the baking dish.
Keep going until the dish is full.
Step 4: Sauce and Cheese It Up
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, making sure they’re all covered. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top — go heavy if you love that melty, cheesy finish.
Step 5: Bake
Pop the dish in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let it cool for a few minutes before digging in — that sauce is lava-hot straight from the oven.
Tips for Enchilada Success
Let me help you avoid some rookie mistakes:
- Warm your tortillas before rolling. It makes them flexible and prevents cracks.
- Cook onions with the beef. Saves time and adds flavor.
- Don’t overfill the tortillas. Too much stuffing and they’ll fall apart.
- Use enough sauce. Dry enchiladas are a crime. Coat them well!
- Try a mix of cheeses. Cheddar melts well, but Monterey Jack adds a creamy finish.
Feel like adding more flavor? Stir in some enchilada seasoning mix or toss in black beans for extra protein.
Freezer-Friendly and Meal Prep Approved
These enchiladas are perfect for freezing. Here’s how to do it:
- Assemble the enchiladas but don’t bake.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
Dinner, handled.
What to Serve With Ground Beef Enchiladas
Let’s be real — these enchiladas can hold their own, but a good side dish rounds things out. Try:
- Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
- Black or pinto beans
- Tortilla chips and guac
- A crunchy slaw with lime dressing
Need more dinner ideas? Our dinner recipes perfect for family meals section has your back.
Topping Ideas to Level Things Up
Once these enchiladas come out of the oven, it’s game time. Top them with:
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado or guacamole
- Hot sauce, if you like it spicy
Pro tip: Put out a toppings bar and let everyone build their own. Makes dinner more fun (and the kids will eat more — trust me).
Print
The Best Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These ground beef enchiladas are everything you want in a weeknight dinner — cheesy, flavorful, and easy enough to throw together even if you’ve had one of those days. We’re talking about golden tortillas stuffed with seasoned beef, covered in rich enchilada sauce, and smothered in gooey cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 8 soft tortillas (flour or corn)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional: black beans, diced green chilies, sliced olives, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onions. Cook until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour ½ cup enchilada sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread to coat the bottom.
- Warm tortillas slightly. Fill each with beef mixture and a little cheese. Roll up and place seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before serving. Add toppings if desired.
Notes
Warm tortillas to prevent cracking. Don’t overfill them or they’ll fall apart. Use both cheddar and Monterey Jack for best flavor. Assemble ahead and freeze before baking for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 enchiladas
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Final Thoughts
The best ground beef enchiladas aren’t about fancy tricks — they’re about bold flavor, gooey cheese, and a dinner everyone actually wants to eat. Whether you’re feeding a big family or just meal prepping for the week, this recipe delivers every single time.
Plus, once you’ve mastered the basic version, you can play around with fillings and sauces. Chicken, beans, even leftover pulled pork — anything goes.
And when you’re ready for more comfort food goodness, check out that cheesy penne with garlic butter ground beef dinner or warm up to our creamy ground beef stroganoff weeknight meal.