Effortless Beef Enchilada Bake: A Family-Favorite Recipe

Craving the delicious flavors of enchiladas but dreading the rolling process? Look no further! This Beef Enchilada Bake recipe delivers all the satisfying taste of traditional enchiladas in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any occasion where you want a crowd-pleasing dish without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe is also very customizable, allowing you to adapt it to your specific tastes and dietary needs.

## Why You’ll Love This Beef Enchilada Bake

* **Easy to Make:** Skip the individual rolling! Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish and bake.
* **Family-Friendly:** A guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Use different types of meat, cheeses, sauces, or add vegetables.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** Assemble the bake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
* **Perfect for Leftovers:** This enchilada bake tastes even better the next day!

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Ground Beef:** 1 pound, lean ground beef. You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative.
* **Onion:** 1 medium, chopped. Adds flavor and texture to the beef mixture.
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced. Enhances the savory flavor of the filling.
* **Enchilada Sauce:** 28 ounces (two 14-ounce cans). Use your favorite brand and flavor. Red enchilada sauce is traditional, but green sauce also works well. Consider the spice level to suit your audience; mild, medium, or hot.
* **Corn Tortillas:** 10-12, 6-inch corn tortillas. Corn tortillas hold up better during baking than flour tortillas. If you only have flour tortillas, you can use them, but they may become softer.
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2 cups, Mexican blend or cheddar cheese. Use your favorite shredded cheese or a combination of cheeses. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack would also be delicious options.
* **Black Olives:** 1/2 cup, sliced (optional). Adds a salty and briny flavor.
* **Green Onions:** 1/4 cup, chopped (optional). Adds a fresh and mild onion flavor.
* **Optional Add-Ins:** Diced bell peppers, corn, beans, jalapeños.
* **Taco Seasoning:** 1 packet (or 2 tablespoons homemade). Adds a depth of flavor to the beef.
* **Olive Oil:** 1 tablespoon, for sautéing.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Skillet:** For browning the ground beef.
* **9×13 Inch Baking Dish:** The ideal size for layering the enchilada bake.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurements.
* **Spatula or Spoon:** For stirring and spreading the ingredients.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Beef Filling

* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
* Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
* Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
* Stir in the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add a 1/4 cup of water to help the seasoning distribute evenly and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

### 2. Assemble the Enchilada Bake

* Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Lightly grease the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil.
* Pour about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and spread it evenly.
* Arrange a layer of corn tortillas over the sauce, overlapping as needed to cover the bottom of the dish. You may need to cut or tear some of the tortillas to fit.
* Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas.
* Sprinkle with 1/3 of the shredded cheese, and half of the black olives if using.
* Pour another 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce over the cheese.
* Repeat layers: tortillas, remaining beef mixture, another 1/3 of the shredded cheese, remaining black olives if using, and another 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce.
* Top with a final layer of tortillas, the remaining enchilada sauce, and the remaining shredded cheese.

### 3. Bake the Enchilada Bake

* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
* Bake for 20 minutes.
* Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the enchilada bake is heated through.
* Let the enchilada bake rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
* Garnish with chopped green onions (optional) and serve.

## Tips for the Perfect Beef Enchilada Bake

* **Don’t Overfill:** Avoid overfilling the baking dish, as this can make it difficult to bake evenly and the enchilada bake may become soggy.
* **Warm the Tortillas:** Warming the tortillas slightly before assembling the bake makes them more pliable and less likely to crack. You can warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or on a dry skillet.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will result in a more flavorful enchilada bake.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you prefer a spicier enchilada bake, use a hotter enchilada sauce or add some chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Substitute the ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or a mixture of vegetables.
* **Add Some Heat:** Diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce can add some kick to your enchilada bake.
* **Prevent Soggy Tortillas:** A common complaint is soggy tortillas. To combat this, lightly fry each tortilla in oil for a few seconds on each side before assembling the bake. This creates a barrier that prevents the sauce from soaking in too much.
* **Even Cheese Distribution:** To ensure even cheese coverage, consider shredding the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose to prevent clumping, which can hinder melting.
* **Don’t Skip the Rest Time:** Letting the enchilada bake rest for a few minutes after baking allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut and serve.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Chicken Enchilada Bake:** Substitute the ground beef with shredded cooked chicken.
* **Vegetarian Enchilada Bake:** Use black beans, pinto beans, or a mixture of vegetables instead of ground beef. Add corn, bell peppers, zucchini, or other vegetables.
* **Spicy Enchilada Bake:** Use a hot enchilada sauce or add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
* **Creamy Enchilada Bake:** Stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup to the beef mixture for a creamier texture.
* **Seafood Enchilada Bake:** Substitute the beef with shrimp, crab, or a combination of seafood. Consider using a white sauce or a creamy cilantro-lime sauce instead of traditional enchilada sauce.
* **Sour Cream Topping:** Dollop sour cream or Greek yogurt on top of each serving for a tangy and cooling element.
* **Avocado Addition:** Add diced avocado to the top of the enchilada bake just before serving for a creamy and healthy element.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, pepper jack, or queso Oaxaca.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve with a side of rice and beans.
* Top with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
* Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
* Offer a variety of toppings, such as chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños, so everyone can customize their serving.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This Beef Enchilada Bake can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When ready to bake, remove the enchilada bake from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as directed.

## Storage Instructions

Leftover Beef Enchilada Bake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store in an airtight container. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g

*Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Recipe Card

**Beef Enchilada Bake**

A quick and easy alternative to traditional enchiladas, this Beef Enchilada Bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-35 minutes
**Total Time:** 50-55 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound lean ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
* 28 ounces enchilada sauce (two 14-ounce cans)
* 10-12 corn tortillas (6-inch)
* 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar)
* 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
* 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened (5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom.
5. Layer tortillas over the sauce, overlapping as needed.
6. Spread half of the beef mixture over tortillas. Sprinkle with 1/3 cheese and half the olives (if using).
7. Pour another 1/2 cup enchilada sauce over cheese.
8. Repeat layers: tortillas, remaining beef mixture, 1/3 cheese, remaining olives (if using), and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce.
9. Top with remaining tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions (optional).

Enjoy your delicious and easy Beef Enchilada Bake! We hope you enjoy this family-friendly recipe as much as we do. Be sure to leave a comment below and let us know what you think! What are your favorite additions to an enchilada bake? We love to hear your creative twists on this classic dish. And don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family! Happy baking!