Ground Beef Enchiladas bring all the flavorโ€”taco-spiced beef, beans, melty cheese, and sauce all wrapped up in a warm tortilla and baked to bubbly perfection.

Ground Beef Enchiladas on a plate, ready to serve.

Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe

I love enchiladas, but some take way too longโ€”so I made a version thatโ€™s super quick and perfect for busy nights. These deliver big flavors fast!

They use ground beef (easy), require zero veggie chopping (yes please!), and work great with pre-shredded cheese.

Ingredients prepped for easy assemblyโ€”broth, cheese, beans, sauce, seasonings, beef, tomato paste, and tortillas.

Ingredients In Ground Beef Enchiladas

IngredientNotes & Tips
Ground beefUse lean (93/7) so itโ€™s not too greasy
Beef bouillonAdds rich beef flavor and boosts seasoning
Tomato pasteThickens the filling and adds deep flavor
Refried beans & black beansMakes the filling creamy and hearty; refried black beans are especially good here
TortillasMedium taco-size flour tortillas fit best in the pan
Shredded cheesePre-shredded saves time; freshly shredded melts smoother
Beef browning with seasonings and tomato paste, then mixed with beans and enchilada sauce for these Ground Beef Enchiladas.

The Best Enchilada Sauce To Use

Iโ€™ve made these Ground Beef Enchiladas with both store bought sauce and homemade sauceโ€”both turn out great. But if you have a few extra minutes or want to make it special, go with homemade. It tastes the best and is really easy to whip up.

If youโ€™re using sauce from the store, pick one youโ€™ve tried before and enjoy. Just make sure itโ€™s not too hot.

chelseaโ€™s recipe tip

What I Love To Serve With Ground Beef Enchiladas!

Meat added to tortillas, topped with sauce and cheese, then baked for this recipe.

Storage

Make-Ahead And Freezer Instructions

  • Make-Ahead: Put together (unbaked), cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let sit out while the oven preheats, then bakeโ€”add 5โ€“10 extra minutes if needed.
  • Freeze: Wrap unbaked ground beef enchiladas well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake covered at 350ยฐF for 25โ€“30 minutes. Take off foil and bake 10โ€“15 more minutes.
  • Store Leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.

More Enchilada Recipes:

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5 from 1 vote

Ground Beef Enchiladas

Ground Beef Enchiladas are the ultimate weeknight winโ€”easy to make, loaded with bold flavor, and smothered in cheesy goodness.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Video

Ingredients

Taco Seasoning (OR use 1 packet)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructionsย 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. If using homemade enchilada sauce, make that first.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add beef and sear for 1 minute per side. Break it up and cook until mostly browned. Add taco seasoning, beef bouillon, salt (I use 1/2 tsp), pepper (I use 1/2 tsp), and tomato paste. Stir until beef is fully cooked through.
  • Pour in chicken broth. Simmer for 3โ€“5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and saucy.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Stir in refried beans, black beans, and 1/4 cup enchilada sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Smear 1/4 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking pan.
  • Set out all all the tortillas. Divide filling evenly among the tortillas, placing it on the lower third of each. Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in the pan.
  • Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top, spread evenly, then sprinkle evenly with cheese. Cover with foil.
  • Bake covered for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10โ€“15 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Add desired toppings and serve hot.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: If using a taco seasoning packet, you may want to skip the bouillonโ€”it might already have enough salt.
Note 2: Homemade enchilada sauce has the best flavor and is surprisingly quick to make! If using store-bought, go with one you like and that isnโ€™t too spicy.
Note 3: You can also use equal parts freshly shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Note 4: Top with anything you loveโ€”fresh lime, chopped cilantro, pico or tomatoes, diced avocado or guac, and sour cream or crema.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 796kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1199mg | Potassium: 850mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1285IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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2 Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    I made these for a group of friends a few weeks ago and weโ€™ve already made it again and Iโ€™ve sent the recipe to all of them! Theyโ€™re so good! 5 stars!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Iโ€™m so happy to hear these ground beef enchiladas were a hit! Thanks Olivia!