This Beef Enchilada Casserole is an easy-to-make dinner thatโ€™s hearty, cozy, and delicious!

When my family craves Mexican food, I love making this easy beef enchilada casserole. Itโ€™s easier than traditional enchiladas – mix everything, spread it in a baking dish, and put it into the oven. It has a Frito crust, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy filling. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep!

beef enchilada casserole on a plate topped with tomatoes and chopped cilantro.

I love enchilada bakes – theyโ€™re so easy, and you get all the flavor without all the hassle of filling and rolling tortillas. And this beef enchilada bake is always a family favorite! A go-to when my kiddos want Tex-Mex, but I need something easy to make. A win-win!

I borrowed some ideas from my chicken enchilada casserole for this easy casserole and turned it into a ground beef enchilada casserole. It has savory beef, creamy cheese filling, and super-easy corn chips crust. The best part is that the prep time is only about 10 minutes.

My kids call it Frito pie because of the corn chips, but I call it my favorite easy dinner for Taco Tuesday! We love it with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and some tortillas on the side, but you can serve it just as it is straight from the pan.

Make it, and I know it will be your new family’s favorite recipe. The perfect easy recipe for weeknights and perfect for feeding a hungry family – I think you will love it!

the enchilada casserole in a pan with a serving spoon.

Recipe Variations

I love to use ground beef for this recipe, but ground turkey is a great sub.

You can add beans like pinto beans or black beans – reduce the amount of ground beef by half.

Sometimes I sub-green enchilada sauce for the red sauce for a different flavor. You can use homemade enchilada sauce or make it easy with your favorite store-bought brand.

the final dish on a plate.

Instead of a Mexican cheese blend, use shredded pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack cheese.

Add more toppings like sliced black olives, diced jalapenos, diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions. There are a lot of options!

My kiddos love some warm corn tortillas or flour tortillas on the side.

overhead shot of a serving of casserole.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Leftover beef enchilada bake will stay in the refrigerator for three to four days. If you have leftover lettuce and tomatoes, store them in a separate container.

Itโ€™s so easy to reheat in the microwave for easy lunches and dinners.

Can you make beef enchilada casserole ahead?

This is a great recipe for an easy dinner or to take to a friend who needs a hot meal.

Brown the meat and allow it to cool to room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients. Assemble the bake as instructed, and then cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Store it in the refrigerator until you can bake it, or take it to a friend. Include the baking instructions – all they have to do is preheat the oven and enjoy!

You can assemble the casserole a day in advance so itโ€™s ready to bake the next day.

close up shot of beef enchilada bake on a plate.

If youโ€™re craving comfort food, you should try this beef enchilada casserole recipe. Your whole family will love it – mine does! Enjoy! XOXO San

More Mexican Favorites

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Ground beef
  • Salt and pepper
  • Red enchilada sauce
  • Sour cream
  • Canned diced green chiles
  • Cream of chicken
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • Fritos
  • Chopped lettuce and tomato for garnish
the ingredients for the filling in a mixing bowl.

How to Make Enchilada Casserole

Brown the beef in oil a large skillet and season it with salt and pepper.

the sour cream and enchilada sauce mixture being mixed in a bowl.

Combine the enchilada sauce, sour cream, cream of chicken, cumin, and chili powder in a mixing bowl.

the cheese added to the filling.

Add the shredded cheese and stir to combine and then stir in the browned beef.

the beef and cheese added to the bowl.

Spread the Fritos in a 9×13โ€ baking dish.

the fritos spread in the pan.

Spread the cheese and ground beef mixture on top.

the beef filling spread in the pan.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the filling.

cheese sprinkled over the top of the casserole.

Bake the casserole for 30 to 35 minutes at 350ยฐF or until itโ€™s bubbling hot and the cheese is melted.

overhead shot of the baked casserole.

Donโ€™t forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board.

Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 600 kcal
This Beef Enchilada Casserole is an easy-to-make dinner thatโ€™s hearty, cozy, and delicious!
the final dish on a plate.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 19 ounces red enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces diced green chiles
  • 10.5 ounces cream of chicken
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 1/2 cups finely shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 9.25 ounce bag of Fritos chips
  • 1/2 head of lettuce chopped, for topping
  • 1 roma tomato chopped, for topping

Instructions
 

  • In a medium skillet heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Cook ground beef until browned, season with a dash of salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • In a medium bowl mix together enchilada sauce, sour cream, cream of chicken, cumin, chili powder, 1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese, and beef. Stir together until well combined.
  • In a glass 9×13" pan, spread Frito chips on the bottom, add beef mixture on top of the chips, and then sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until warm and bubbly and cheese is melted on top.
Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 38gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 1384mgPotassium: 606mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1646IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 335mgIron: 5mg
the final dish on a plate.
Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This looks amazing! I’ve often said that if you can make something into a casserole that you should. This absolutely proves that.

4.87 from 15 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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