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Savory Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe with Easy Cheesy Crust

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A comforting and flavorful beef enchilada casserole layered with tortillas, seasoned ground beef, homemade enchilada sauce, and a crispy cheesy crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (preferably 85% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup (120ml) water
  • 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch size; corn tortillas can be substituted for gluten-free)
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or cheddar and Monterey Jack blend)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion; cook 5-7 minutes until beef is browned and onions are translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and water until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place 2 tortillas side-by-side over the sauce, overlapping slightly.
  6. Spoon one-third of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas. Drizzle with enchilada sauce, then sprinkle with about ½ cup of mixed cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
  7. Repeat layering with 2 more tortillas, beef, sauce, and cheese. Finish with a final layer of 2 tortillas topped with remaining sauce and cheese.
  8. Cover casserole loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture. Avoid overloading with sauce to prevent sogginess. Let casserole rest before cutting for clean slices. For extra browning, broil 1-2 minutes watching closely. Substitute corn or almond flour tortillas for gluten-free. Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles can replace beef. Vegan cheese can be used for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef enchilada casserole, cheesy crust, Tex-Mex casserole, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, enchilada sauce, weeknight meal, potluck recipe

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