Beef Enchilada Layers (Printable)

Layers of seasoned beef, tortillas, and cheese baked in rich enchilada sauce for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices

04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp chili powder
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Sauces

09 - 2 cups red enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)

→ Other

10 - 10 small corn tortillas (6-inch)
11 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
13 - Cooking spray or oil (for greasing)

→ Toppings (optional)

14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 small avocado, diced
17 - 2 green onions, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking up with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add chopped onion to the beef and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce into the beef mixture. Remove skillet from heat.
05 - Spread 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
06 - Arrange 5 tortillas across the sauce, tearing pieces as necessary to cover completely.
07 - Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas. Top with 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
08 - Add remaining tortillas over the beef layer, spread with 1/2 cup enchilada sauce, then top with remaining beef mixture and cheeses.
09 - Pour remaining 1/2 cup enchilada sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle any reserved cheese over the surface.
10 - Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
11 - Remove casserole from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, cilantro, diced avocado, and sliced green onions as desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feeds a crowd without making you feel like you've spent all day in the kitchen.
  • The flavors are bold enough to feel special but familiar enough that everyone will eat seconds.
  • You can prep it ahead and bake it when you're ready, which is basically a superpower on busy nights.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef; a greasy casserole separates and gets sad.
  • The resting time at the end is not optional—it's the difference between a beautiful slice and beef soup.
  • If your sauce seems thin, it's fine; the tortillas will absorb liquid and everything will come together in the oven.
03 -
  • If you're feeding a crowd, this doubles easily and actually tastes even better as leftovers because the flavors meld overnight.
  • The cheese will brown better if you sprinkle it all the way to the edges of the dish, so don't be shy.

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