Beef Enchilada Casserole

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican Inspired, Southern

Keyword beef-enchilada-casserole, beef-enchiladas-recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Stand time 5

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 697kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion diced
1 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained (OR 1 medium jalapeno seeded and diced)
4 medium cloves garlic minced
2 1.0 oz packets taco seasoning
1/2 cup taco sauce
2 10 oz cans red enchilada sauce
18 corn tortillas
2 14 oz cans refried beans
3 cups shredded colby jack or sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

Instructions

Drizzle a large skillet with olive oil. Cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until no pink remains and the onions have softened. Add garlic, cook for one minute longer. Drain excess grease from the pan.
To the beef add taco seasoning, taco sauce and green chiles. Stir to combine then simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove from the stovetop.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 13x9-inch deep baking dish or cake pan with cooking spray.
Toss together colby jack cheese and pepper jack cheese. (Divide into thirds)
Assemble: Spread 3 Tablespoons from one can of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. (Reserve one whole can red enchilada sauce for the top.) Arrange 6 tortillas on the bottom of the dish.
Cover with 1/2 of the remaining red enchilada sauce. Spread with 1 can refried beans. Arrange 1/2 taco meat over beans then sprinkle with 1/3 of the shredded cheese mixture.
Repeat Layers: 6 tortillas, spread with remaining enchilada sauce, 1 can refried beans and reserved taco meat. Sprinkle with 1/3 shredded cheese.
Layer with remaining 6 tortillas. Pour 1 whole can of enchilada sauce from end to end and spread over the tortillas to cover. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese blend.
Spray a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover dish.
Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil. Continue to bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let stand 5 minutes then cut into squares and serve topped with sour cream, diced tomatoes, onion, fresh cilantro, shredded lettuce, black olives or garnish with any of you favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Protein Options - You can make this enchilada casserole with ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork.
Divide the Enchilada Sauce - Please Note: You'll divide one can of red enchilada sauce between the layers reserving one whole can for the top.
Do You Use Corn or Flour Tortillas for Enchiladas? I've made enchiladas using both from time to time. You can use white or yellow corn tortillas for these enchiladas.
Peppers - If you'd like more spice, use diced jalapeno peppers or poblano peppers cooked with the ground beef and onion in place of canned green chilies.
Beans - You could replace refried beans with black beans. Drain and rinse prior to adding to the casserole.
Ranchero Sauce - If you'd like to make your own enchilada sauce, checkout my recipe for Ranchero Sauce.
Cheese Substitutions - You can use monterey jack cheese in place of pepper jack cheese for less spice.
Spices - In addition to the taco seasoning you can add chili powder, more salt and cumin to amp up the flavor to suit your personal taste.
Side Dishes to Serve with Enchiladas - You can serve classic sides such as Mexic a n corn, baked rice or Mexican rice, pinto beans, diced avocado, tortilla chips and salsa.

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