Simply by Maha
Beef Enchiladas

Dinner

Beef Enchiladas

By Maha

These beef enchiladas are such a good easy dinner. They’re filled with seasoned beef, onions, peppers, and cheese, then baked with a rich homemade enchilada sauce until hot and bubbly.

Prep
30 min
Cook
30 min
Total
60 min
Serves
4
5.0 (1)
Jump to Recipe

These beef enchiladas are the kind of dinner that always hits when you want something warm, cheesy, and full of flavor. They’re easy enough for a weeknight, but still feel like a meal everyone gets excited about. The seasoned beef filling, soft tortillas, homemade enchilada sauce, and melted cheese all come together into such a comforting dish that works for family dinners, meal prep, or whenever you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.

What makes this recipe extra good is the homemade enchilada sauce. It’s simple to make, but it adds so much flavor and gives the enchiladas that rich, saucy finish that makes them taste even better than store-bought. The filling is also super flavorful with seasoned beef, onion, and red bell pepper, which adds a little extra texture and sweetness. Once everything is rolled up, topped with more sauce and cheese, and baked until bubbly, you get a dish that feels cozy and filling without being complicated.

I also love how customizable these are. You can keep them simple or top them with red onions, cilantro, jalapeños, or whatever you like best. If you’re looking for an easy beef enchiladas recipe that feels homemade, comforting, and full of flavor, this is such a good one to make.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • Enchilada Sauce

  • 2 tbsp oil or butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups beef broth

  • Beef Filling

  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • Olive oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • Shredded cheese

  • For Assembly

  • Large tortillas

  • Optional Toppings

  • Cilantro
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing
  • Parsley
  • Red onions
  • Jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Make the enchilada sauce
    In a saucepan over medium-low heat, add the oil or butter and flour. Whisk together to make a roux. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and salt, then let the spices toast for about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the broth
    Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking. Let the sauce simmer on low until it thickens, about 15 minutes.
  3. Season the beef
    In a bowl, combine the ground beef with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Cook the vegetables
    In a pan over medium heat, cook the chopped onion and red bell pepper until softened.
  5. Cook the beef filling
    Add the seasoned beef to the pan and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
  6. Assemble the enchiladas
    Spread some enchilada sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture and shredded cheese, then roll and place seam-side down in the dish.
  7. Top with sauce and cheese
    Pour more enchilada sauce over the top, then add more shredded cheese.
  8. Bake
    Bake at 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
  9. Finish and serve
    Top with cilantro, parsley, red onions, and jalapeños if using.

Watch on TikTok

Cook's Notes

Ingredient Notes

  • Ground beef: Use whatever ground beef you normally like to cook with. Leaner beef will give you less grease, but any kind works.
  • Beef broth: Beef broth gives the enchilada sauce a deeper flavor than water and works really well with the beef filling.
  • Flour: The flour helps create the roux for the sauce, which thickens it and gives it that classic enchilada sauce texture.
  • Chili powder: This is one of the main flavors in the sauce, so use one you like. It adds warmth without making it too spicy.
  • Cumin and oregano: These add that classic savory enchilada flavor and make the sauce taste more balanced.
  • Garlic powder and onion powder: These season both the sauce and the filling and keep the flavor simple but really good.
  • Red bell pepper: Red bell pepper adds sweetness and extra texture to the beef filling.
  • Onion: Onion adds flavor and helps build the base of the filling.
  • Large tortillas: Large tortillas are easiest to fill and roll without tearing.
  • Shredded cheese: Use whatever melting cheese you like best. A Mexican blend, cheddar, or mozzarella all work well here.
  • Optional toppings: Red onions, cilantro, parsley, and jalapeños add freshness and color and make the enchiladas even better when serving.

Tips & Tricks

  • Let the sauce simmer long enough to thicken so it coats the enchiladas properly.
  • Do not overfill the tortillas or they can tear while rolling.
  • Spread some sauce on the bottom of the baking dish first so the enchiladas do not stick.
  • Warm the tortillas slightly before rolling if they feel stiff or are cracking.
  • Cook off excess grease from the beef if needed so the filling does not get too oily.
  • Save extra toppings for after baking so they stay fresh and bright.
  • Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes after baking so they hold together better when serving.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Storage: Store leftover beef enchiladas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Make ahead: You can make the sauce and beef filling ahead of time, then assemble and bake later. You can also fully assemble the enchiladas and keep them covered in the fridge before baking.

Freezing: Beef enchiladas can be frozen before or after baking. Wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge before reheating or baking.

Best tip: If making ahead, keep a little extra sauce on hand in case the enchiladas absorb some while sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make beef enchiladas ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the filling and sauce in advance, or fully assemble the enchiladas and refrigerate them until ready to bake.

What kind of cheese works best for enchiladas?

Any good melting cheese works well, including Mexican cheese blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.

Do I have to make the enchilada sauce from scratch?

No, but homemade sauce adds a lot of flavor and is very easy to make with simple ingredients.

Can I add beans or other vegetables to the filling?

Yes. Black beans, corn, or extra peppers would all work well in this recipe.

Reviews & Tips

You might also like

Spicy Peanut Noodles
DinnerAsian

Spicy Peanut Noodles

These spicy peanut noodles are creamy, savory, a little spicy, and so good for an easy lunch or dinner. Made with thick egg noodles, chicken, bell peppers, and a rich peanut sauce, this is one of those meals that feels super satisfying and comes together with simple ingredients.

45 minmedium5.0(1)
Creamy Spinach Stuffed Chicken
Dinner

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Chicken

This creamy spinach stuffed chicken is such a good comfort dinner. The chicken is filled with a creamy cheesy spinach mixture, then pan-seared and finished in the oven until perfectly cooked. I love serving it with simple mashed potatoes.

70 minmedium5.0(1)
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
DinnerAmerican

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

These buffalo chicken wraps are spicy, crispy, creamy, and so satisfying. Made with crispy chicken, homemade coleslaw, buffalo sauce, parmesan, and wrapped in a large tortilla, they’re such an easy lunch or dinner idea — especially with sweet potato fries on the side.

60 mineasy5.0(1)