Name: Easy Beef Enchiladas with Red Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce; 12 corn tortillas; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Jump to Recipe

This easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe is a real lifesaver because it comes together so quickly. I can prep everything while the kids are doing their homework, and then pop it in the oven when it’s time for dinner. Trust me, once you try this easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe, it’ll become a staple in your house, too. It’s a crowd-pleaser, super adaptable to whatever you have on hand, and just plain good. And the best part? It’s so much better than anything you’d get at a restaurant. So, let’s get started! I am sure you’ll love this as an easy weeknight ground beef enchiladas meal.

INGREDIENTS

Okay, so here’s what you’ll need to whip up these amazing easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe:

1 pound ground beef (I always use 80/20 for flavor, but lean works too)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (I like the reduced sodium kind)
1 (10 ounce) can of red enchilada sauce (plus more for topping – about 1/2 cup)
1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained
12 corn tortillas (or flour, if you prefer)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend are also great)
Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives

Save

I always use organic ground beef when I can, just because I feel better about it. When making easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe, you can find a good variety of enchilada sauces at most grocery stores. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favorite!

Here’s a little trick I learned from my mom: warm the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds before filling them. It makes them much more pliable and less likely to crack. I also love to buy my cheese in bulk and shred it myself – it melts so much better than the pre-shredded stuff. As for cost-saving, buying ground beef in larger packages and freezing it in smaller portions is a great way to save money. I usually store any leftover enchilada sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I love making these ground beef enchiladas because most ingredients are already in the pantry!

HOW TO MAKE – STEP-BY-STEP

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious batch of easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe on the table in no time.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking the enchiladas evenly.
Brown the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Tip: Drain off any excess grease after browning the beef. Nobody wants greasy enchiladas!
Add the onion and garlic. Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. The aroma at this point is just wonderful!
Stir in the taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, and green chilies. Add the taco seasoning packet, the can of tomato sauce, the can of enchilada sauce, and the diced green chilies (with their juice!) to the skillet. Stir everything together well.
Simmer the filling. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together. Your beef enchilada filling is almost ready!
- Tip: Taste the filling and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, or a little extra chili powder if you like it spicier.
Warm the tortillas. While the filling is simmering, warm the corn tortillas. You can do this in the microwave by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 30 seconds, or you can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds per side. This makes them more pliable and prevents them from cracking when you roll them.
- I learned the hard way with easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe that cold tortillas are a recipe for disaster! They just crack and fall apart.
Assemble the enchiladas. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the enchiladas from sticking.
Fill and roll. Take one tortilla at a time and spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef filling down the center. Sprinkle with a little cheese, then roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Don’t worry if your easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe filling is a little messy. That’s part of the charm!
Top with sauce and cheese. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, making sure they are evenly coated. Then, sprinkle generously with the remaining shredded cheese.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the enchiladas are heated through. In my kitchen, easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe usually takes about 22 minutes to bake perfectly.
- While the easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe is cooking, I usually make a quick salad or set the table. It’s all about multitasking, right?
Let cool slightly. Remove from the oven and let the enchiladas cool for a few minutes before serving. This will prevent them from falling apart when you try to serve them. Your quick enchiladas are ready to serve!
- Your easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe should smell like warm tortillas, spiced beef, and melty cheese. If it doesn’t, something went wrong!

Save

SERVING

Okay, so the easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe are out of the oven, smelling amazing, and you’re ready to eat! But what do you serve with them? Well, let me tell you what my family loves.

The kids love our easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe when I serve them with a big dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. They also love it when I add a side of Mexican rice and refried beans. It’s a complete and satisfying meal.

My go-to side dishes that pair with easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe are a simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette and some fresh guacamole. The acidity of the lime and the coolness of the avocado really complement the richness of the enchiladas.

This easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and even a casual weeknight dinner. It’s always a hit, and everyone loves it. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and bake when you’re ready to eat.

As for presentation tips, I like to garnish the enchiladas with some chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, and a few sprigs of cilantro. It makes them look extra appealing. If you have extra easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe, they’re great for lunch the next day. Just reheat them in the microwave or oven. You can even chop them up and add them to a salad for a Tex-Mex twist. I even like to add a fried egg on top for breakfast.

My friends always ask for this easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe recipe because it’s so easy to make and so delicious. They’re always impressed by how flavorful and satisfying it is. Ground beef enchiladas are such a family favorite!

FAQs

Okay, let’s tackle some of the most common questions I get about my easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe. I am here to help you!

Q: Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
A: Absolutely! Flour tortillas will give you a softer, chewier enchilada. Corn tortillas are more traditional and have a slightly different flavor, but it’s really a matter of personal preference. You know what I do when my easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe involves flour tortillas? I warm them on a skillet for a little longer because they are thicker.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap. This is great for meal prep, especially on busy weeknights!
Q: Can I freeze these enchiladas?
A: Yes, you can freeze them! Assemble the enchiladas, but don’t bake them. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed. You know what I do when my easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe is frozen? I usually add 15 minutes to the total bake time.
Q: What if my tortillas crack when I roll them?
A: This usually happens when the tortillas are too cold or dry. Make sure you warm them properly before filling and rolling. You can also try lightly brushing them with oil before warming them to make them more pliable.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
A: Definitely! Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms would all be great additions to the beef filling. Just sauté them with the onion and garlic before adding the other ingredients. My family likes it when I add black beans and corn to the filling; it gives a sweeter flavor.
Q: My enchilada sauce is too spicy! What can I do?
A: Stir in a little sour cream or plain yogurt to mellow out the heat. You can also add a pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lime juice to balance the flavors. Next time, buy mild enchilada sauce. I have made this mistake before!
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A: Of course! Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or even pepper jack would all be delicious in these enchiladas. Use whatever you have on hand or whatever your family prefers. We’ve all been there with easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe where we have to substitute an ingredient.
Q: What if I don’t have taco seasoning?
A: No problem! You can make your own taco seasoning by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. I can provide a recipe for homemade taco seasoning if you’d like.

My Final Thoughts

This easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a dish that my family always requests. It’s simple, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it reminds me of my own childhood, when my mom would make enchiladas for us on special occasions. I love passing down traditions!

My easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe Pro Tips:

Don’t overfill the tortillas. Too much filling will make them difficult to roll and they’ll fall apart in the oven.
Use a good quality enchilada sauce. The sauce is the key to a great enchilada, so don’t skimp on this ingredient!
Warm the tortillas properly. This is essential for preventing them from cracking and making them easier to roll.

Here are a few easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe variations you can try:

Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef filling.
Vegetarian: Replace the ground beef with black beans, corn, and diced vegetables. Check out my vegetarian black bean enchiladas for a great recipe!
Chicken: Substitute shredded chicken for the ground beef. I also have a great chicken enchilada recipe, if you’re interested!

My husband loves the spicy version, while my kids prefer the classic easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe with extra cheese. I encourage you to make this recipe your own and experiment with different variations to find what your family loves best. Feel free to try making homemade enchiladas from scratch.

Save

I hope you enjoy making this easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe as much as my family does. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it! Happy cooking! I’m sure you’ll love this hearty, flavorful easy beef enchiladas with red sauce recipe. You’ve got this!

Easy Beef Enchiladas with Red Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

Learn how to make the most delicious beef enchiladas with these 7 amazing tips! From choosing the right beef to perfecting your enchilada sauce, these tips will take your enchiladas to the next level.