
“Nice recipe! Already wanting ahead to leftovers. We loved this with avocado. Simple to place collectively and so significantly better than retailer purchased!”
I’m by no means not craving my purple enchilada sauce. There, I stated it. Of all of the home made variations of store-bought merchandise I’ve tackled through the years, it’s my favourite as a result of all you want are a handful of components and, most significantly, it’s spoon-drink-worthy scrumptious.
I’ve used the sauce to smother each cheese enchiladas and rooster enchiladas however it’s floor beef’s time to shine on this epic Beef Enchilada recipe you’ll make again and again!

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Simple Beef Enchilada Recipe
Enchiladas could seem fancy or time-consuming, however they fall into the “casserole” class, which signifies cozy, easy, and low fuss.
- Step 1: Make the purple enchilada sauce as much as 5 days forward of time.
- Step 2: Cook dinner the bottom beef filling as much as 3 days forward of time.
- Step 3: Assemble the enchiladas, then bake.
You may even assemble the enchiladas as much as the purpose of baking a number of days forward, or freeze them for later! I’ll define the strategies under. However first…

Foremost Components Wanted
Excellent news: each the enchilada sauce and floor beef filling use 99% of the identical seasonings. That stated, I like to mix each seasoning mixes on the identical time earlier than I begin cooking. Right here’s what you’ll want:
For the Purple Enchilada Sauce
- Dried herbs and spices: chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder present daring Tex-Mex taste.
- Gluten free flour mix: thickens the enchilada sauce. You’ll need to use the baking flour mix you sometimes bake with, moderately than a single flour or starch, like almond flour or cornstarch. You should use all-purpose flour for those who don’t must eat gluten-free.
- Tomato paste: thickens, flavors, and colours the purple enchilada sauce.
- Hen broth: or rooster inventory for the liquid part.
For the Beef Filling
- Floor beef: after all! I sometimes follow 90/10 or 85/15 floor beef, however actually something you might have available is okay. This is a superb recipe to make use of cooked Restaurant-Fashion Floor Beef in.
- Seasoning combine: the identical seasonings because the purple enchilada sauce, plus paprika.
For the Enchiladas
- Corn tortillas: are historically utilized in enchiladas. I like Mi Rancho Thincredible Tortillas which DO NOT CRACK! Mission Tremendous Delicate Corn Tortillas are nice too.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Mix: use your favourite model. We love Supremo.

Beef Enchilada Suggestions
Like I stated, this family-friendly floor beef casserole is inherently straightforward. That stated, hold the following pointers in thoughts when planning for, and assembling the meat enchiladas:
- Modify spiciness: most chili powders offered in grocery shops are medium to scorching on the spice scale. I take advantage of McCormick Chili Powder which I’d price as a 5 or 6/10. In the event you or your loved ones are delicate to warmth, search for delicate chili powder on the retailer. On the flip facet, be at liberty to make use of scorching chili powder on this recipe.
- Follow corn tortillas: I’m not the tortilla police however I extremely suggest you keep on with utilizing corn tortillas for the normal enchilada expertise, vs flour tortillas (for those who don’t must eat gluten free, after all). Corn tortillas maintain up properly to being baked in a sauce, whereas flour tortillas can change into soggy and gummy.
- Warmth the corn tortillas: wrapping the tortillas in a humid paper towel then microwaving for 30 seconds earlier than filling will guarantee they don’t crack. In the event that they nonetheless crack, that’s okay! They’ll be smothered with sauce and cheese anyway.
- Pan dimension: this recipe makes 16-18 enchiladas, which match completely inside an 11&instances;15″ baking pan. You should use two medium-size baking pans, or a 9&instances;13″ pan plus a small baking pan as an alternative.
What to Serve with Floor Beef Enchiladas
Enchiladas are hearty and may stand on their very own, however it’s additionally enjoyable to serve them with restaurant-inspired sides and toppings like:
- Simple Creamy Pinto Beans
- Restaurant Fashion Salsa
- Mexican Rice
- Contemporary Pico de Gallo
- Cuban-Fashion Black Beans
- Cilantro-Lime Rice
- Fast Guacamole
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Toppings: Bitter cream, shredded lettuce, sliced inexperienced onions, chopped contemporary cilantro, pickled jalapeños, diced purple onions, sliced black olives

Serve with Simple Pinto Beans
The right way to Make Beef Enchiladas
Step 1: Make the Purple Enchilada Sauce.
I’m telling you, this sauce blows ANY store-bought enchilada sauce out of the water. Even the high-end/small batch merchandise which have popped up over the previous few years!
Begin by heating vegetable oil in a medium-size saucepan. Sprinkle in gluten free flour then cook dinner whereas whisking for 1 minute. Add Tex-Mex seasonings together with chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, onion and garlic powders, plus salt then whisk whereas cooking till very aromatic, 20-30 seconds. Add tomato paste then whisk whereas cooking for an additional 30 seconds.

Subsequent, slowly stream in rooster broth whereas whisking. Flip the warmth up barely to convey the sauce to a simmer then flip the warmth again all the way down to medium and cook dinner whereas whisking till the sauce has barely thickened, 2-3 minutes. The sauce will proceed to thicken because it cools.
Pour the purple enchilada sauce right into a cup or bowl with a lip – which helps with drizzling it over the enchiladas – then set it apart to chill barely.

Recipe Tip
Make the purple enchilada sauce as much as 5 days forward of time. Cool then retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge (glass advisable as plastic will stain). Re-warm earlier than utilizing.
Step 2: Cook dinner the bottom beef filling.
Subsequent make the seasoned floor beef filling.
Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth then add floor beef and let it sit within the scorching skillet till the underside is browned. Break the meat up because it cooks then drain if crucial and return the meat to the skillet.
Subsequent add seasonings together with chili powder, cumin, onion and garlic powders, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper, plus water, then stir to mix and cook dinner till the water has been absorbed into the meat, 2-3 minutes.

Recipe Tip
Cook dinner the bottom beef filling as much as 3 days forward of time then retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge. Re-warm barely within the microwave earlier than utilizing. You don’t need it piping scorching – simply not tremendous chilly.
Step 3: Assemble the enchiladas.
Wrap half the corn tortillas in a humid paper towel then microwave for 20-30 seconds or till they’re heat and pliable.
One after the other, lay a heat tortilla on a plate or chopping board then spoon ~2 Tablespoons of the bottom beef filling throughout the underside of the tortilla. Add a heaping Tablespoon of shredded Mexican-cheese mix then roll the tortilla tightly and switch it to a baking dish with a few of the enchilada sauce unfold into a skinny, even layer within the backside.

Proceed filling and rolling till all of the components have been used. These images present Mi Rancho Thincredible Tortillas which as you possibly can see, don’t crack. I discover them at Entire Meals.

Smother the stuffed tortillas with the ready purple enchilada sauce. You might not want all of it, however save any additional so as to add when reheating the enchiladas for the reason that tortillas take up a little bit of the sauce as they chill within the fridge.
Recipe Tip
The enchiladas don’t must be swimming in sauce, however be certain that the tortillas are solely lined – any elements that don’t have sauce on them will change into powerful and onerous whereas baking.

Step 4: Bake the meat enchiladas.
Sprinkle extra Mexican-blend cheese on prime of the sauced enchiladas then cowl with foil and bake for half-hour at 350 levels, or till the cheese has melted and the sauce is scorching and bubbly.
Let the casserole sit and funky for quarter-hour then serve and prime with all of your favourite fixins!

The right way to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers
Though my husband makes it his private mission to devour each final drop of Beef Enchiladas every time I make them, for those who’re fortunate sufficient to have leftovers they reheat SUPER properly.
- To retailer: Switch leftover enchiladas into an hermetic container with a lid then refrigerate for 3-4 days. I like to recommend a glass storage container because the purple sauce can stain plastic.
- To reheat: Reheat individual-sized parts within the microwave till scorching.
The right way to Make-Forward
Assemble the meat enchiladas as much as 48 hours forward of time then retailer within the fridge. Right here’s how:
- Assemble: the casserole as much as the purpose of overlaying with sauce, as much as 48 hours forward of time. Cowl the enchiladas with plastic wrap then refrigerate individually from the sauce.
- Sauce and bake: re-warm the sauce then pour it over the enchiladas and bake in line with recipe directions.
The right way to Freeze
Beef Enchiladas additionally freeze properly. I like to recommend freezing them earlier than baking, vs after. Right here’s how:
- To freeze: Make sure the enchilada sauce is COLD, in any other case the tortillas will take up the nice and cozy sauce, then assemble the meat enchiladas in line with recipe directions. Cowl the baking dish in plastic wrap, then foil, after which freeze for as much as 3 months. I like utilizing a disposable aluminum pan for this, vs tying up a glass or ceramic baking dish.
- To bake: Thaw the enchiladas within the fridge then take away the plastic wrap, re-cover with foil, and bake in line with recipe directions.

Whether or not you devour this Beef Enchilada recipe scorching and contemporary or inventory your freezer with a batch for later, I hope you’re keen on each saucy, delicious chew. Get pleasure from!

Extra Tex-Mex Favorites
- Simple Hen Enchiladas
- Cheese Enchiladas with Purple Sauce
- Restaurant-Fashion Floor Beef
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- Hen Fajitas
- Tacky Hen Burrito Skillet
- Black Bean and Candy Potato Enchilada Skillet

Beef Enchilada Recipe
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Components
- 1 lb floor beef
- 16-18 corn tortillas Mi Rancho Thincredible Corn Tortillas advisable, see notes
- 12 oz shredded Mexican cheese mix
For the Purple Enchilada Sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder see notes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free flour mix
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups rooster broth
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup water
Directions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 levels then get out an 11&instances;15” baking pan, or two medium-size baking pans. A 9&instances;13” plus a small baking pan works nice too.
For the Purple Enchilada Sauce:
-
Add the spices – chili powder by means of cumin – to a small bowl then set it apart.
-
Warmth the oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium warmth then add the flour and cook dinner whereas whisking for 1 minute. Add the seasoning combine then whisk till toasted and aromatic, 20-30 seconds. Add the tomato paste then whisk the combination collectively and cook dinner for 30 seconds.
-
Slowly stream within the rooster broth whereas whisking to create a easy sauce then flip the warmth as much as medium-high and convey the sauce to a simmer whereas stirring slowly and continuously with a spatula. Flip the warmth again all the way down to medium then simmer for a further 1-2 minutes or till the sauce has barely thickened – it can proceed to thicken because it cools. Pour the enchilada sauce right into a glass measuring dish with a lip/spout then cool barely earlier than utilizing. Might be made as much as 5 days forward of time, see notes.
For the Beef Filling:
-
Add the spices – chili powder by means of black pepper – to a small bowl then set it apart.
-
Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Crumble the bottom beef into the underside of the skillet then let it sit and sear till browned on the underside. Break the meat up because it cooks then drain if crucial and return to the skillet. Flip the warmth all the way down to medium then add the seasoning combine and water. Stir to mix then cook dinner till the water has been absorbed by the meat, 2 minutes. Flip the warmth off then set the meat apart to chill barely. Might be made as much as 3 days forward of time, see notes.
To Assemble:
-
Unfold 3/4 cup enchilada sauce within the backside of the 11&instances;15″ baking dish then set it apart. In the event you’re utilizing smaller baking pans, add sufficient sauce to create a skinny layer within the backside of every pan.
-
Wrap half the tortillas in a humid paper towel then microwave for 30 seconds to heat them up – this helps forestall the tortillas from cracking. Don’t fear in the event that they nonetheless crack for the reason that enchiladas can be lined in sauce and cheese anyway.
-
One after the other, place a heat tortilla onto a clear, dry floor like a plate or chopping board then unfold 2 Tablespoons cooked floor beef throughout the underside half of the tortilla. Add a heaping Tablespoon shredded cheese on prime then roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam side-down within the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining components, warming the second batch of tortillas when wanted. Reserve the additional shredded cheese.
-
Drizzle the enchilada sauce on prime of the enchiladas then unfold it round with the again of the spoon, making certain the tortillas are utterly lined. Any uncovered spots of tortilla will change into powerful and onerous after baking. You may not want to make use of all of the sauce. Save any leftover sauce for reheating with leftovers because the corn tortillas will take up a little bit of the sauce.
-
Sprinkle the reserved shredded cheese on prime then cowl the baking pan with a bit of foil and bake for half-hour or till the cheese has melted and the enchilada sauce is effervescent. Take away the foil then let the enchiladas cool for quarter-hour earlier than scooping onto plates and serving.
Notes
- If you’re spice-averse, make sure you use a gentle chili powder. I take advantage of McCormick Chili Powder which I discover barely spicy.
- The enchilada sauce spice combine and beef filling spice combine have 99% of the identical components, so I like to combine them up on the identical time earlier than I start cooking.
- The purple enchilada sauce may be made as much as 5 days forward of time. Retailer in a glass, hermetic container (plastic will stain) within the fridge. Re-warm the sauce earlier than utilizing.
- The browned floor beef may be made as much as 3 days forward of time. Re-warm barely earlier than utilizing.
- This is a superb recipe to make use of Restaurant-Fashion Floor Beef in.
- I like Mi Rancho Thincredible Tortillas which don’t crack after being warmed. Mission Tremendous Delicate Corn Tortillas are an important choice too.
- The right way to Make-Forward:
- Assemble the casserole as much as the purpose of overlaying with sauce, as much as 48 hours forward of time. Cowl the enchiladas with plastic wrap then refrigerate individually from the sauce.
- Sauce and bake: re-warm the sauce then pour it over the enchiladas and bake in line with recipe directions.
- The right way to Freeze:
- Freeze unbaked: Make sure the enchilada sauce is COLD, in any other case the tortillas can take up the nice and cozy sauce, then assemble the meat enchilada recipe in line with the directions. Cowl the baking dish in plastic wrap, then foil, after which freeze for as much as 3 months.
- To bake: Thaw the enchiladas within the fridge then take away the plastic wrap, recuperate with foil, and bake in line with recipe directions.
Vitamin
Photographs by Ashley McLaughlin
READ: Beef Enchilada Recipe
