Fresh & Zesty Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas Recipe for Dinner Joy

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and these mouthwatering beef enchiladas with zesty Tex-Mex flavors hit the spot.

Melted cheese and seasoned beef create a delicious combination that transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.

Spices dance through each bite, promising rich layers of authentic southwestern taste.

The recipe blends simple ingredients with bold, complex notes that make taste buds sing.

Tender tortillas wrap around savory meat, promising a satisfying experience that goes beyond basic comfort food.

Each enchilada tells a story of warmth and tradition, inviting you to savor every delectable morsel.

Prepare to embark on a flavor journey that will become a new family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Tex-Mex Enchilada Must-Haves

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for building complex flavors and preventing sticking.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a silky roux that thickens the sauce with a velvety texture.
• Beef Broth: Adds deep, savory undertones and enhances the overall meaty profile.
• Tomato Sauce: Delivers a tangy, rich base with a vibrant red color.

• Chili Powder: Brings warming heat and earthy depth to the sauce and meat.
• Garlic Powder: Offers a concentrated, aromatic garlic essence without raw bite.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweetness and rounded savory notes.
• Cumin: Contributes an earthy, smoky warmth typical in Tex-Mex cuisine.
• Oregano: Introduces a slightly peppery, herbal complexity.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a rich, smoky undertone that elevates the dish.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Balance and enhance all other flavors.

• Ground Beef: Delivers hearty protein and rich flavor as the main filling component.
• Yellow Onions: Provide sweet, caramelized undertones when cooked.
• Green Chilies: Add mild heat and bright, fresh pepper flavor.
• Corn Tortillas: Traditional wrapper that holds the filling and absorbs sauce beautifully.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts into a creamy, stretchy layer that binds and enriches the dish.
• Green Onions: Offer a fresh, mild onion note.

Cooking Tools for a Beefy Tex-Mex Bake

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and sautéing onions and spices.
• Saucepan: Essential for creating smooth, flavorful enchilada sauce without lumps.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Provides the ideal space for assembling and baking enchiladas.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients and preventing flour clumps.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for chopping onions, green onions, and cilantro.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Roll and Bake Tex-Mex Enchiladas

• Fire Up the Cooking Zone

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F. Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Craft a Flavor-Packed Sauce

Warm up some oil in a pan and whisk in flour. Pour in beef broth slowly while stirring. Mix in tomato sauce and spices. Let it bubble and thicken for a few minutes, creating a rich, zesty base.

• Create the Meaty Filling

Brown ground beef with diced onions in a skillet. Drain extra grease. Toss in garlic, green chilies, and a blend of spices. Stir in some cheese and remove from heat.

• Roll and Arrange

Spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish. Scoop beef mixture into tortillas, roll them up tightly, and nestle them side by side in the dish.

• Top and Cover

Pour remaining sauce over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese on top.

• Bake to Perfection

Send the dish into the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and gets deliciously golden.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the enchiladas cool slightly. Garnish with fresh green onions or cilantro. Add a dollop of sour cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Topping Ideas That Add Extra Kick

• Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave or on a griddle to prevent cracking when rolling, ensuring perfectly smooth enchiladas every time.
• Use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a richer, more complex flavor profile that melts beautifully and adds extra creaminess.
• Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot green chilies, and modify chili powder quantities to suit your personal spice tolerance.
• Replace traditional tortillas with large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortilla alternatives for a keto-friendly version that maintains the delicious Tex-Mex essence.
• Assemble enchiladas up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

Serve Enchiladas With Salsa or Sour Cream

• Fresh Fiesta Plating: Create a vibrant presentation by arranging enchiladas on a colorful ceramic plate with scattered fresh herbs and a lime wedge for a burst of color and zesty appeal.
• Mexican Restaurant Style: Serve enchiladas on a wooden board with small side bowls of extra salsa, diced avocado, and pickled jalapeños for a restaurant-quality experience at home.
• Family-Style Feast: Set up a build-your-own enchilada station with warm tortillas, extra toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and multiple hot sauces, allowing everyone to customize their plate.
• Perfect Pairing Plate: Complement the enchiladas with Mexican-style cilantro lime rice, refried beans, and a crisp cabbage slaw to balance the rich, spicy flavors of the main dish.

Storage Advice for This Spicy Favorite

• Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated enchiladas stay delicious for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Wrap individual portions or entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen enchiladas maintain quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm refrigerated enchiladas in oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Microwave works for quick single servings, heating 1-2 minutes on medium power.
• Prepare beef filling and sauce a day ahead. Keep components separate in refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving to maintain tortilla texture and prevent sogginess.

Tantalizing Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling tex-mex beef enchiladas deliver a passionate flavor journey through Mexican culinary traditions. Melted cheese, spicy seasoned beef, and warm tortillas combine into a mouthwatering feast you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453.6 g) ground beef
• 2 cups (226.8 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, divided
• 8–10 flour or corn tortillas
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (473 ml) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chilies
• 2 tablespoons (8 g) chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Sliced green onions
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sour cream (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Create a robust enchilada sauce by heating oil and whisking in flour. Gradually incorporate beef broth, stirring to prevent clumping. Add tomato sauce and spices, simmering until the mixture thickens and develops a rich, complex flavor profile.
2. Beef Mixture Development: Brown ground beef with onions in a skillet, draining excess fat. Incorporate green chilies, aromatic spices, and seasonings, creating a deeply flavored filling. Fold in shredded cheese to enhance the mixture’s creamy texture and richness.
3. Enchilada Assembly: Spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish to prevent sticking. Carefully fill tortillas with the prepared beef mixture, rolling tightly and positioning seam-side down in a neat, compact arrangement.
4. Final Layering: Generously coat the rolled enchiladas with remaining sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Liberally sprinkle additional cheese over the top, creating a golden, bubbling surface.
5. Baking Process: Place the assembled dish in a preheated oven at 375F (190C). Bake uncovered until the cheese melts completely and develops a tempting golden-brown crust, approximately 20-25 minutes.
6. Serving Presentation: Allow the enchiladas to rest briefly after removing from the oven. Garnish with fresh green onions, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of cool sour cream to balance the dish’s warm, spicy flavors.

Notes

• Drain excess fat thoroughly after cooking ground beef to prevent soggy enchiladas and ensure a crisp texture.
• Whisk continuously when adding broth to prevent lumps, aiming for a smooth, velvety enchilada sauce that coats tortillas evenly.
• Warm tortillas slightly before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier, using a clean kitchen towel or quick microwave heat.
• Use a blend of melting cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack for optimal flavor and gooey texture, avoiding pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents that can impact melting quality.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg