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Ground Beef Enchiladas

These Ground Beef Enchiladas are rich, saucy, and the perfect comfort food, delivering big flavor with simple pantry ingredients.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef can swap for ground turkey for a lighter option
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped white or yellow
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional for a smoky note
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne optional, for heat
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth or water
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8-10 pieces flour or corn tortillas (6-inch)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed optional, for bulk and fiber
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Sliced avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes.
  4. Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Toast the spices for 1 minute.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce and broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. If using, stir in the black beans. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Assembly
  1. Warm tortillas briefly in a dry skillet or microwave (20 seconds) to make them pliable.
  2. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, add a sprinkle of cheese, and roll tightly.
  3. Place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and scatter the remaining cheese evenly over the enchiladas.
Baking
  1. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime before serving.

Notes

Healthy options include using lean ground turkey and adding lots of vegetables. For a vegetarian version, consider roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and corn.