Classic Beef Enchiladas

  • Total time - 50 minutes
  • Prep time - 20 minutes
  • Cooking time - 30 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Mexico
A baking dish of classic beef enchiladas covered in red sauce and melted cheese

Enchiladas are a beloved Mexican dish, perfect for sharing with family and friends. While they may seem complex, this recipe simplifies the process with a fantastic, homemade red enchilada sauce that's much better than anything from a can. The rich, slightly spicy sauce pairs perfectly with the seasoned ground beef and corn tortillas, all brought together under a blanket of bubbly, melted cheese. This is a classic comfort food that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients

For the Red Enchilada Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt

For the Enchiladas

  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

For Serving (optional)

  • sour cream
  • diced onions
  • fresh cilantro

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Red Enchilada Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Slowly whisk in the broth and tomato paste, stirring until smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it thicken for 5-7 minutes. Season with salt to taste and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Drain any excess fat. Add 1/4 cup of the prepared enchilada sauce to the beef and stir to combine. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

To make the tortillas pliable, you can either briefly fry them in a little oil (about 10 seconds per side) or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.

Dip each warm tortilla into the enchilada sauce to lightly coat it. Place a spoonful of the beef filling down the center of the tortilla, sprinkle with some cheese, and roll it up tightly. Place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is hot. Garnish with sour cream, onions, and cilantro before serving.