Description
This Beef & Cheese Enchilada Casserole is a hearty and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish, perfect for a comforting family meal. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cream cheese, tangy enchilada sauce, and melted Mexican cheese blend come together baked to perfection in a simple casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1¼ lb ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 (10-oz) can enchilada sauce
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes and diced green chiles, undrained
Tortilla & Cheese Layer
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef and Season: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then simmer for about 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Sauce and Tomatoes: Add the canned enchilada sauce and undrained Rotel tomatoes with diced green chiles to the skillet with the beef. Simmer the mixture for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the beef and sauce mixture at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread cream cheese evenly on each flour tortilla, then sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded cheese on top of the cream cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and arrange them on the meat sauce in the dish. Pour the remaining beef sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, use spicy enchilada sauce or add extra diced jalapeños.
- Substitute corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Use reduced-fat cheese and cream cheese for a lighter version.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Serve with sides such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for added flavor.
