Looking for a quick and tasty dinner? You’ve come to the right place! My Weeknight Ground Beef Enchiladas are the answer to busy evenings. With simple ingredients like ground beef, tortillas, and cheese, you can whip up this dish in no time. Trust me, your family will love the bold flavors and gooey goodness. Let’s dive into the easy steps to create your new favorite meal!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The blend of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and melted cheese creates a mouthwatering taste experience that everyone loves.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe can be whipped up in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Customizable Ingredients: You can easily modify the recipe to suit your dietary preferences by swapping out the protein or adding more veggies.
- Great for Meal Prep: These enchiladas store well in the fridge or freezer, making them a fantastic option for meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
– 1 lb ground beef
– 8 small flour tortillas
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Ingredients
– 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce (red or green)
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish
– Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Ground beef is the star of this dish. It gives a rich flavor and hearty texture. The tortillas wrap around the filling, creating a cozy package. Cheddar cheese melts beautifully over the top, adding creaminess.
You can also add black beans for extra protein and fiber. They pair well with the beef and make the dish more filling. Enchilada sauce brings tang and spice. You can choose red or green sauce based on your taste.
I always chop a small onion and mince some garlic to boost flavors. Ground cumin and chili powder add warmth and depth. Fresh cilantro adds a bright touch at the end. If you want, serve with sour cream for extra creaminess.
With these ingredients, you can create a weeknight meal that feels special. Each bite is cheesy and satisfying.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Steps
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step makes sure your enchiladas cook evenly.
2. In a large skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add a finely chopped onion. Sauté until it turns soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Next, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Stir it for a minute until fragrant.
Cooking the Beef Mixture
1. Now, add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula. Cook until it is browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Stir in 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans. Also, add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Mix well and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Assembling the Enchiladas
1. Take a small flour tortilla and fill it with about ⅓ cup of the beef mixture. Top it with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese.
2. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat this for all tortillas.
3. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Make sure to cover them well. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Baking Instructions
1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. This helps keep the moisture in.
2. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. This will make the cheese bubbly and golden.
Enjoy the delicious smell filling your kitchen as your enchiladas bake!
Tips & Tricks
Perfecting the Recipe
How to avoid soggy tortillas
To keep your tortillas from getting soggy, warm them first. You can heat them in a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side. This makes them more flexible. Also, don’t overfill them. Use just enough filling for a tight roll. Lastly, pour the sauce evenly but not too much.
Best practices for cooking ground beef
When cooking ground beef, use medium heat. This helps the meat brown well. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Stir it often. This way, it cooks evenly. Make sure the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. This adds flavor and depth to your enchiladas.
Serving Suggestions
Garnishing options
Garnish your enchiladas with fresh cilantro. It adds a bright flavor. You can also add a dollop of sour cream on top. Avocado slices or diced tomatoes offer a nice touch too. For extra heat, sprinkle some sliced jalapeños or hot sauce on top.
Pairing sides
Serve your enchiladas with a side of Mexican rice. This adds a filling element. You can also offer black beans or a fresh salad. A simple corn salad with lime juice pairs well. These sides complement the richness of the enchiladas and make a complete meal.
Pro Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh onions and garlic will enhance the flavor of your enchiladas. Opt for freshly minced garlic instead of pre-minced for a more robust taste.
- Customize the Heat: If you like your enchiladas spicy, consider adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture for an extra kick.
- Cheese Variations: While cheddar is classic, feel free to mix in other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a unique flavor profile.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the enchiladas in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just bake them when you’re ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
You can change the meat in this recipe. Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey or chicken. These meats have less fat. They also work well with spices and sauces.
If you want a vegetarian meal, use black beans and veggies. You can mix in bell peppers, corn, or zucchini. This makes a hearty filling and keeps the dish tasty and healthy.
Different Sauces
When choosing sauce, you have options. You can use red or green enchilada sauce. Red sauce is rich and has a deep flavor. Green sauce is fresh and bright with a hint of spice. Pick the one you like best!
If you want to make your own sauce, it’s easy. Combine 1 can of tomato sauce, some diced green chilies, and spices like cumin and chili powder. Cook it for a few minutes, and you have a tasty homemade enchilada sauce.
Storage Info
Refrigeration
To store leftover enchiladas, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is the best option.
Freezing Enchiladas
When freezing enchiladas, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. This helps keep them fresh. You can freeze them for up to three months.
To reheat frozen enchiladas, unwrap them and place them in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes. Check if they are hot all the way through. If needed, bake a little longer. Enjoy your meal!
FAQs
Common Questions
Can I make enchiladas ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the enchiladas, but do not bake them. Wrap the dish in plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake them straight from the fridge. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I use instead of flour tortillas?
You can use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option. They have a great taste and texture. You might also try whole wheat tortillas for a healthier choice. Remember, each type of tortilla may change the flavor slightly.
Cooking Tips
How to make enchiladas spicier?
Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture. You can also use spicier enchilada sauce. Another option is to sprinkle cayenne pepper in the beef mix. Adjust the spice level to your taste for the perfect kick!
Can I use canned beans instead of dry beans?
Absolutely! Canned beans save time and effort. Just drain and rinse them before adding them to your beef mixture. They will blend perfectly and add great flavor to your enchiladas.
In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious enchiladas from scratch. We discussed key ingredients like ground beef, tortillas, and cheese, plus tasty extras like black beans and enchilada sauce. You learned how to prepare, cook, and assemble your dish, along with tips to avoid soggy tortillas and perfect the recipe. Variations allow you to customize flavors to your taste. Proper storage helps keep leftovers fresh. Now, grab your ingredients and get cooking. Enjoy your meal and impress your friend
