Here’s a traditional, restaurant-style recipe that’s easy to make at home, with a rich, homemade sauce and cheesy filling.
🌮 Classic Beef Enchiladas
Servings: 6–8 enchiladas
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total: ~45 minutes
🧂 Ingredients
For the Filling:
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon chili powder
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½ teaspoon ground cumin
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but delicious)
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 cup (about 115 g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
For the Enchilada Sauce:
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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2 tablespoons chili powder
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon ground cumin
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¼ teaspoon dried oregano
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2 cups chicken or beef broth
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1 tablespoon tomato paste (or 2 tablespoons tomato sauce)
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Salt, to taste
For Assembly:
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8 small flour or corn tortillas (6-inch size)
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1½ cups shredded cheese (for topping)
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Optional garnish: fresh cilantro, sour cream, green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Enchilada Sauce:
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In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
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Whisk in flour and chili powder; cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
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Slowly whisk in broth, tomato paste, and seasonings.
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Simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
(Taste and adjust salt or spice as desired.)
2. Cook the Beef Filling:
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In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
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Drain excess fat.
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Add garlic and spices; cook 1 more minute.
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Stir in about ¼ cup of enchilada sauce to moisten the filling, and mix in ½–1 cup of cheese.
3. Assemble:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Spread ½ cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Spoon a few tablespoons of the beef mixture into each tortilla, roll it up, and place seam-side down in the pan.
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Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle evenly with cheese.
4. Bake:
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Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
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Remove foil for the last 5 minutes if you want the cheese browned on top.
5. Garnish & Serve:
Top with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced green onions. Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple salad.
🔥 Tips
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For extra flavor, add a can of green chiles or black beans to the filling.
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Corn tortillas give a more authentic flavor but are trickier to roll—warm them first to prevent cracking.
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You can also use rotisserie chicken for an easy chicken enchilada variation.
Would you like me to include a spicy version (with chipotle or jalapeños) or a creamy version (with sour cream or cheese sauce)?
