Beef Enchilada Skillet
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This One Pot Enchilada Casserole takes less than 30 minutes to make and has all the same flavors of traditional enchiladas in a casserole form. Made with simple ingredients of ground beef, lots of melty cheese, soft tortilla strips, and favorite toppings.
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One Pot Enchilada Casserole
The first time I made this One Pot Enchilada Casserole (aka, Beef Enchilada Skillet) I was hooked. I love easy dinner recipes, especially with a toddler and almost 1 year old roaming around the kitchen while I cook. This one-pot meal is ideal because it’s quick to make and it’s always delicious and so hearty.
You can add your favorite protein as the base and your favorite toppings so it’s a dish the whole family can love. This dish is loaded with cheesy goodness and tons of enchilada flavor in each bite. The tortilla strips are my favorite because they make it taste like regular enchiladas!
If you love easy dinners and enchiladas, try my popular Cheese Enchiladas and Turkey Enchiladas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
key ingredients
- Flour tortillas: Large “taco size”, 6-8 inch tortillas are the perfect size. You can also use yellow corn tortillas or white corn tortillas if you prefer. I’ve made this with all kinds of tortillas and they all work.
- Ground beef: The star ingredient! I love using the 90/10 ground beef meat so it doesn’t get dry, but you can also use extra lean ground beef meat if you prefer. Other meat options are ground turkey, ground chicken, or rotesserie chicken.
- Shredded cheese: My favorite cheeses to use when making enchiladas is an Extra Sharp Cheddar or Mexican cheese blend that consists of sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. However, any cheese combination will work. Other options are white cheddar cheese, pepper jack and colby jack.
- Red enchilada sauce: Canned enchilada sauce works perfectly- use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own homemade enchilada sauce from scratch. I’ve never tried this recipe with green sauce, but I’m sure it would be just as good! I usually use red sauce from Trader Joe’s.
- Yellow onion: You can also use white onion.
- Garlic: Fresh is best instead of the jarred stuff.
- Red bell pepper: Be sure to remove the seeds, any color will work. Feel free to add more bell peppers if you wanted more veggies.
- Seasonings: We use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Alternatively you can use a taco seasoning since they have similar ingredients.
- Toppings of your choice: Guacamole, pico de Gallo, jalapeños, tomatoes, diced onions, green chiles, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and spicy salsa are some of our favorites. Add your favorite hot sauce if you want more heat.
how to make one pot ENCHILADA casserole
Cook onion and pepper: In a large skillet on medium heat, add oil and sauté onion and bell pepper for a few minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add ground beef and seasonings: Cook until beef is no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
Add sauce and cheese: Add enchilada sauce, tortilla strips, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir well until combined.
Let cheese melt: Turn heat off, add remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and cover with a lid. Let sit for 3-5 minutes to let the cheese melts and for the tortillas are softened.
Serve: Add toppings of choice, serve and enjoy!
recipe tips & variations
- Shred your own cheese: Shred your own cheese: I always recommend shredding the cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded so the cheese gets extra melty.
- Low carb option: Use low-carb or grain-free tortillas instead of regular flour tortillas. You could also use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Green sauce: Use green enchilada sauce instead of red sauce if you prefer.
- Add spice: Add your favorite hot sauce, spicy enchilada sauce, or red pepper flakes to spice this dish up.
- Vegetarian enchiladas: Swap the ground turkey for a can of black beans or pinto beans and, or your favorite roasted veggies.
- Healthier option: Use whole wheat flour tortillas instead of regular flour tortillas and ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- Topping ideas: Guacamole, sliced avocados, sour cream, pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños, diced red onion, thin sliced green onions, cilantro, and queso fresco.
what to serve with beef enchilada skillet
You can serve any of your favorite sides with this Beef Enchilada Skillet. Some of my favorites is of course tortilla chips, refried beans, and salsa or, Sheet Pan Nachos, Chicken Taquitos, and Shrimp Ceviche.
This dish is hearty enough to be served alone or even a small side salad, brown rice, white rice, or Jalapeño Corn Muffins to keep it simple.
leftovers & storage
If you have leftovers, they are just as delicious the next day. Be sure to take as many toppings off such as avocado and sour cream to prevent it from turning brown.
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover skillet with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When ready to reheat, bake at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes until warm and cheese has remelted. You can also microwave it until melted.
To freeze: It’s best to remove all of the toppings before freezing. Transfer casserole to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few house. Warm at 350 degree F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed.
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One Pot Enchilada Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought enchilada sauce I use Trader Joe's enchilada sauce
- 4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas cut into strips
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese divided
- Toppings of choice: sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, and or pico de gallo
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium heat, add oil and sauté onion and bell pepper for a few minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add ground beef and seasonings. Cook until beef is no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add enchilada sauce, tortilla strips, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir well until combined.
- Turn heat off, add remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and cover with a lid. Let sit for 3-5 minutes to let the cheese melts and for the tortillas are softened.
- Add toppings of choice, serve and enjoy!
I love a one-pot dinner! This is so great for busy weeknights when I have no idea what to make. A dish the whole family loves!
One of our favourite dinners. Super easy to make and loads of flavour. Definitely recommend.
This one pot enchilada casserole was so quick and easy , and my family loved it . It’s full of flavor so filling . My son has already requested it again !!
I just hopped on here to say thanks for solving my dinner dilemma last night. I had all the ingredients for this recipe and it turned out perfectly!
Love a good one pan meal! This casserole was easy to make and even easier to eat haha! Definitely going in our rotation, I wish I had leftovers!
What a comforting and delicious casserole for the family to enjoy. Love enchiladas so this is definitely getting made!
The beef enchiladas in a skillet is genius! Great flavors, easy cleanup, and everyone in my house is a fan!!
Life is super busy, add kids and time seems to slip away. Thank goodness for this recipe you have shared. So easy to prepare, kids love it. And it takes very little time. A win win in our eyes. Thanks for sharing! ❤️ 👍 😋 👌
This enchilada skillet was the perfect weekday meal. It was done in minutes, tasted fantastic, and had minimal clean up. An overall success!
I made this casserole for brunch over the weekend and it was a hit. It’s one pot dish and I am such a fan since its less washing and makes my life a lot easier. Winner all the way. Thanks for this recipe.