Description
This Homemade Beef Enchilada Casserole is a flavorful, layered Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, green chiles, and corn tortillas baked under a blanket of melted colby jack cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this casserole combines savory spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano with a rich tomato sauce and chicken stock base, creating a comforting, hearty meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 4.5 oz green chiles
- 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
Spices and Seasonings
- 3/4 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp flour (King Arthur all-purpose flour recommended)
- 15 oz tomato sauce (Hunt’s for best consistency)
- 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 12 corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch wide strips
- 3 1/2 cups colby jack cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the small diced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef, season with 3/4 tsp salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Cook the beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the browned beef mixture and stir well to combine. Slowly pour in the tomato sauce and chicken stock, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green chiles and black beans, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, layer a third of the tortilla strips to cover the bottom. Spoon a third of the beef mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with a third of the shredded colby jack cheese. Repeat the layering two more times, ending with a cheese layer on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with optional toppings such as sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add jalapeños or use a spicier chili powder blend.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture.
- If you want to make it vegetarian, omit the ground beef and increase black beans or add tofu crumbles.
