Description
This Beef Enchilada Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish that layers seasoned ground beef, black beans, enchilada sauce, and two types of cheeses between corn tortillas. Baked to perfection, it delivers a cheesy, hearty meal perfect for family dinners and easy to customize with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Layers
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef together with the diced onion and minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Combine sauce and seasonings: Add enchilada sauce, drained diced tomatoes, rinsed black beans, ground cumin, and chili powder to the skillet with the beef. Stir everything together well, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Layer tortillas: Place 4 corn tortillas evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish, overlapping slightly if necessary to cover the surface.
- First topping layer: Spread half of the beef and bean mixture evenly over the tortillas. Then sprinkle half of both shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Add second tortilla layer: Add another layer of 4 corn tortillas over the cheese, covering the first layer fully.
- Second topping layer: Spread the remaining beef mixture over the second tortilla layer, then evenly sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheeses on top.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown on the top.
- Rest before serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set and make it easier to serve.
- Optional garnish: Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for an extra pop of freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- To make it spicier, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and increase the beans or add sautéed vegetables.
- Use low-fat cheese to reduce fat content.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
