Print

Cheesy Beef Enchiladas with Rich Sauce

Close-up of baked Cheesy Beef Enchiladas with Rich Sauce, bubbling in a white baking dish.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make classic, comforting cheesy beef enchiladas using a homemade, deep-flavored sauce and seasoned ground beef filling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 12 (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cocoa powder, and cayenne pepper, if using. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. This is your rich sauce.
  6. While the sauce simmers, prepare the tortillas. Briefly warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave to make them pliable. This prevents tearing when rolling.
  7. Mix 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese with all of the cheddar cheese in a bowl. Set aside.
  8. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the rich sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
  9. Dip each warmed tortilla briefly into the remaining sauce to coat both sides. Place about 1/4 cup of the cooked beef mixture down the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle lightly with the reserved cheese mixture.
  10. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, arranging them snugly in rows.
  11. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
  12. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To keep tortillas soft, you can briefly fry them in hot oil (about 10 seconds per side) before dipping them in the sauce. Drain them on paper towels before filling.
  • For a deeper sauce flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 30 minutes instead of 15.
  • Use a combination of good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Asadero, or mild cheddar for the best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/cheesy-beef-enchiladas-with-rich-sauce/