This Beef Enchilada Casserole has layers of ground beef, beans, tortillas, and cheese, all smothered in enchilada sauce and baked to perfection.

Serve this easy meal with a fresh tossed salad or a size of cilantro tomato rice for an easy dinner that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

A Meal Everyone Will Love

I am a huge fan of enchiladas, who doesn’t love this classic Mexican dish?!  This beef enchilada casserole has all the great flavors of traditional enchiladas but in an easy-to-make casserole form.

A simple filling of beef and beans is layered with tortillas and cheese in a casserole dish, then baked to melty and cheesy perfection. Add a few toppings and you’ve got a dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

beef enchilada casserole in a white casserole dish

Start with the Enchilada Filling

To make enchilada casserole, start with the filling.

  • Make Filling: Brown lean ground beef, season with taco seasoning and add a can of beans. My family prefers pinto beans, but you can use black beans if you like.
  • Optional Veggies: Add some veggies during this step, like onions, corn or peppers; there are so many delicious possibilities.
  • Layer: I start my casserole off with a layer of enchilada sauce. I use a mild red enchilada sauce and pair it with corn tortillas.

So Many Amazing Layers

This enchilada casserole can be made with corn or flour tortillas; it’s fabulous either way. If you go with flour tortillas, make sure to buy the smaller soft taco size. The beef mixture gets layered on top of the tortillas along with a healthy dose of cheddar cheese.

After the layers are piled up high in the dish, the enchilada casserole goes into the oven to bake. I like to add some toppings after the casserole comes out of the oven; I typically use diced tomatoes and sliced green onions for a fresh flavor.

Beef Enchilada casserole with a spoon

After your casserole has cooled for a bit, slice into squares and enjoy!

Got Leftovers?

Refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freeze: This casserole can be frozen in individual portions or as a whole once cooked. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat: Cover the casserole with foil and reheat at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until heated through (time will vary based on how much is left). Optionally, single portions of enchilada casserole can be heated in the microwave.

More Mexican Inspired Favorites

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beef enchilada casserole on spoon
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Beef Enchilada Casserole

This beef enchilada casserole is layers of ground beef, beans, tortillas and cheese, all smothered in enchilada sauce and baked to perfection.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Author Sara Welch

Equipment

2 QT Baking Dish with white background
9 x 9-inch or 2 QT Baking Dish
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Ingredients  

  • 10 small corn tortillas 6-inch, or flour tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 15 ounces canned pinto beans rinsed and drained, 1 can
  • 2 cups red enchilada sauce
  • 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 ripe tomatoes diced
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
  • Add the taco seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and beans; stir to combine.
  • Spread ¼ cup of the enchilada sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Layer ⅓ of the tortillas over the sauce.
  • Add ½ of the meat mixture, then add ¾ cup of cheese on top of the meat.
  • Pour ½ cup of the enchilada sauce over the cheese.
  • Repeat the process with ⅓ of the tortillas, the rest of the meat mixture, ¾ cup of cheese and ½ cup of sauce.
  • Add the final ⅓ of tortillas on top of the casserole; pour the remaining sauce over the top of the tortillas and sprinkle on the rest of the cheese.
  • Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
  • Sprinkle tomatoes and green onions over the top. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before cutting.
4.94 from 254 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 567 | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1617mg | Potassium: 701mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1430IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 442mg | Iron: 5.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican

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Beef enchilada casserole in a casserole dish with a serving spoon and a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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4.94 from 254 votes (197 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Denise Reyna says:

    I absolutely love this recipe. I like a southwest flavor so I added black beans and corn to meat and onion mixture. It came out great.5 stars

  2. Connie Campbell says:

    This is a fantastic recipe!! My family loved it. I also added some fresh corn from the farmers market..will definitely be making this again!! ❤️5 stars

  3. Cypriene says:

    Everyone loved it! I didn’t have any beans and it was still delicious!!! Definitely want to try beans next time! Added olives and onions, then topped with lettuce, tomato and sour cream! Quick, easy and so yummy!!! Thanks!!!5 stars

  4. Michelle McLaurin says:

    Loved this delicious recipe, thank you!5 stars

  5. Kathy says:

    Subbed ground turkey and it is great! Made it at Christmas for family & this week for friends. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. So much easier than trying to roll up and then dish out traditional enchiladas.5 stars

  6. Susan says:

    Really good! i did add green pepper and corn. and a little more enchilada sauce( homemade) and a little more cheese. my hubby said i can make it again and i told him thats good cause we have leftovers lol. topped with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro,avacado and sourcream and salsa was wonderful. thank you5 stars

    1. Spend With Pennies SP says:

      Those sound like great additions, Susan! Glad you enjoyed this recipe.

  7. Paula Kulina says:

    Very tasty. I used the recipe for taco seasonings, using medium hatch Chile powder and it had a nice mild kick. Next time I will use a bit more sauce.

  8. Jessica says:

    Delicious! Even my picky kids devoured this. Followed the recipe to a T. Yummy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I also made a vegetarian version with black beans instead of ground beef. Also yummy!5 stars

  9. Rachel says:

    This recipe was definitely worth turning on the oven in the summer! Made it as written, but I’m looking forward to trying different additions to the filling. Beefy, cheesy goodness!5 stars

  10. Lori Erokan says:

    Holly, over the years I’ve tried a few similar recipes. So glad I decided to try yours! I added a cup of frozen corn and half a diced green pepper to ground beef when I was sautéing it, then drained well. Used your Taco Seasoning, as I’ve been doing with your recipes – so much better than the packaged kind! Used corn tortillas. I followed your suggestion, adding chopped tomatoes and sliced green onions to the finished casserole. We really liked that special touch, it added a freshness. I’m gonna toss the similar recipes – this is the one that wins!

    1. Spend With Pennies AO says:

      Sounds wonderful Lori! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

  11. Paula Baker says:

    We were hungry for enchiladas, so this was a simple, tasty recipe for us to use in substitution. Thank you for giving me something I can go to as written or even add a few extra ingredients.5 stars

  12. Traci says:

    This dish is amazing! Whole family loved it. Definitely will be making this again.