Easy Beef Enchiladas: A Simple and Tasty Guide

If you want a tasty, filling meal that is quick to make and will please almost everyone, Easy Beef Enchiladas are a great choice. These enchiladas have seasoned beef, lots of melted cheese, and tangy enchilada sauce. It’s a warm and comforting dinner you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’ve cooked a lot before or you’re new to the kitchen, this guide will help you make delicious enchiladas every time.

Why This Recipe Works

This beef enchiladas recipe is a winner for busy evenings, get-togethers with friends, or even making ahead for lunches. Here’s why it’s so popular:

• Simple Ingredients: Most things you need are easy to find in shops or already in your cupboard.
• Easy to Change: Don’t fancy beef? You can use chicken, black beans, or even roast vegetables.
• Quick: You can have dinner ready in less than an hour, including prep and cooking time.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the enchiladas earlier in the day and bake them when you’re ready to eat.

Ready to cook? Let’s get started!

Easy Beef Enchiladas Recipe

Ingredients

• 450g minced beef
• 75g chopped onion
• 25g packet taco seasoning or homemade (see below)
• 450g refried beans (tin or homemade, recipe below)
• 120g salsa
• 450g grated Mexican cheese
• 280g enchilada sauce (shop-bought or homemade, recipe below)
• 12 corn tortillas

Method

1. Heat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly spray a medium-sized baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the Filling: Cook the minced beef and onion in a large frying pan over medium heat until the meat is brown and the onions are soft. Drain any extra fat.
3. Add Flavour: Add the taco seasoning, refried beans, salsa, and about a quarter of the cheese. Mix it all together well.
4. Dip the Tortillas: Pour a bit of enchilada sauce onto a plate. Dip each tortilla into the sauce so both sides are coated.
5. Fill and Roll: Put a spoonful of the beef and bean mixture onto a tortilla, roll it up, and place it in the baking dish, seam side down. Do the same with all the tortillas.
6. Sauce on Top: Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas to cover them.
7. Bake: Put the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
8. Add Cheese: After 20 minutes, sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the enchiladas. Bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbling.
9. Serve: Take the dish out of the oven, let it cool a little, and serve with things like sour cream, guacamole, or fresh coriander.

That’s it, easy, tasty beef enchiladas!

Make it Yourself: Sauces and Seasonings

Making these parts yourself is simple and gives even more flavour to your beef enchiladas.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Mix these spices and keep them in a jar for up to 6 months:

• 1 tablespoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon crushed chilli flakes (if you like it hot)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Homemade Refried Beans

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan.
2. Cook 1 small chopped onion until soft. Add 2 cloves of crushed garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Add 360g cooked pinto beans and 125ml vegetable stock. Tip in ½ teaspoon of ground cumin.
4. Mash the beans and add more stock if needed until they’re creamy. Add salt to taste.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

1. In a saucepan, whisk together 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons plain flour over medium heat for 1 minute.
2. Add 4 tablespoons chilli powder, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano.
3. Slowly whisk in 450ml vegetable stock. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Homemade means you can make your beef enchiladas as mild or spicy as you like!

Handy Tips

• Stop Cracking: Warm corn tortillas in a pan or microwave so they don’t crack when you roll them.
• Add Veggies: Pop in some chopped peppers, sweetcorn, or spinach to get more vegetables in.
• Extra Cheese: Add cheese inside each tortilla as well for extra gooeyness.
• Store Leftovers: Leftover beef enchiladas keep in the fridge for up to three days or can be frozen for another day.

Serving and Changing It Up

Try these ideas to make your beef enchiladas fit your family’s tastes:

• Toppings: Add sour cream, salsa, sliced avocado, or jalapeños on top.
• Side Dishes: Serve with rice, salad, or black beans for a complete meal.
• Switch It Up:
  • Use whole-wheat or gluten-free tortillas if needed or preferred.
  • Swap the beef for chicken, black beans, or veggie mince to suit your diet.
  • Use less cheese or choose lower-fat cheese if you want it lighter.

Will you try them?

Easy Beef Enchiladas are perfect for any night you want a simple, tasty meal. There are so many ways to make them your own. Try the homemade versions of the sauce, beans, or spice mix if you’re feeling adventurous. This is a dish that’s warm, filling, and always brings people together.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the beef enchiladas and any substitutions you made, and how it turned out.

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