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A freshly baked enchilada casserole in a white dish, topped with melted cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

Hearty Beef Enchilada Casserole with Corn Tortillas

Layers of seasoned ground beef, vibrant red enchilada sauce, and soft corn tortillas baked to perfection with melty cheese make this a comforting and easy weeknight meal. This casserole offers all the classic enchilada flavors without the fuss of rolling.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
For the Enchilada Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • pinch cayenne pepper optional
  • 2 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Assembly
  • 12-15 corn tortillas 6-inch
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican blend
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
  • Optional toppings sour cream, extra cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Skillet
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

Prepare the Beef Filling
  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess fat. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (if using), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant.
  3. Pour in 1/2 cup beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Enchilada Sauce (if making from scratch)
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
  2. Add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, and a pinch of cayenne (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  3. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken or beef broth until smooth. Stir in 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. (If using store-bought, simply warm it slightly).
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Pour about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  3. Lay 4-5 corn tortillas over the sauce, overlapping slightly to cover the bottom of the dish. Spoon half of the beef filling evenly over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the beef. Drizzle about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce over the cheese layer.
  4. Repeat the layers: place another 4-5 tortillas, followed by the remaining beef filling, the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, and another 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce.
  5. Top with the last layer of 4-5 tortillas, then pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top, ensuring all tortillas are covered. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Bake the Casserole
  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, green onions, or avocado, if desired.

Notes

For a milder flavor, omit the cayenne pepper in both the beef filling and the enchilada sauce.
To prevent corn tortillas from tearing, briefly warm them in the microwave (stacked, covered with a damp paper towel, for 30-60 seconds) or dip them quickly into warm enchilada sauce before layering.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.