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Cheesy beef enchilada casserole baked with black beans and topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro in a white dish

Enchilada Casserole

Ella
A hearty enchilada casserole packed with layers of seasoned beef, rich homemade sauce, and melted cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican-Inspired
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 445 kcal

Ingredients
  

Enchilada Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 ½ tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Casserole

  • 1 lb ground beef or shredded chicken
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 can diced green chiles (4.5 oz)
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 12 pieces corn tortillas
  • 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook diced onion with salt until soft and slightly golden.
  • In another skillet, cook ground beef with salt, pepper, and onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
  • Add cumin and chili powder to the sauce onions. Stir for 30 seconds, then mix in flour.
  • Slowly whisk in chicken stock, then add tomato sauce and garlic. Simmer until slightly thickened.
  • Mix green chiles and black beans into the cooked beef.
  • Optionally blend sauce until smooth for a silky texture.
  • Spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish.
  • Mix 1/2 cup sauce into the beef mixture.
  • Dip tortillas in sauce and layer 6 in the dish. Add half the beef mixture and 1 cup cheese.
  • Repeat layering with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and finish with cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest before serving.

Notes

For extra spice, add cayenne pepper or use hot green chiles. Substitute beef with shredded chicken or make it vegetarian with extra beans or vegetables. Freshly shredded cheese melts best. Let the casserole rest before slicing for clean layers.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 445 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
  • Sodium: 1058 mg
  • Potassium: 380 mg
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
Keyword cheesy casserole, easy dinner recipe, enchilada casserole, family meal, weeknight dinner