5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Introduction
These 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas are a simple, flavorful dinner that comes together quickly with pantry staples. Perfect for busy weeknights, they offer a delicious blend of seasoned beef, tangy salsa, and melty cheese wrapped in warm tortillas.

Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 8 (8-inch) tortillas (flour preferred, but corn works too)
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded four cheese Mexican blend (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat, return the skillet to medium-low heat, stir in the salsa, and cook until heated through. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Pour about half of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Step 4: Warm the tortillas according to package instructions. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture down the center of each tortilla, add about 1 heaping tablespoon of cheese on top, then tightly roll the tortillas and place them seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Step 5: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.
- Step 6: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add chopped onions or a pinch of cumin to the ground beef while cooking.
- Use corn tortillas for a more traditional taste, but warm them well to prevent cracking.
- Top with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream before serving.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute ground beef with cooked black beans or lentils.
Storage
Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual portions until heated through.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these enchiladas ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the enchiladas a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from cold.
What kind of cheese works best for enchiladas?
A Mexican four cheese blend is ideal for melty, flavorful results, but you can also use Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a mix of cheeses you prefer.
Print5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas Recipe
These 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas are a quick and easy Mexican-inspired casserole featuring lean ground beef, chunky salsa, savory red enchilada sauce, and a delicious blend of cheeses all wrapped in warm tortillas and baked to perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this recipe combines simple ingredients for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup chunky salsa
Enchiladas
- 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
- 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas (corn tortillas can be used but flour is preferred)
- 1 (8-ounce) package Borden® Cheese Thick Cut Shredded Four Cheese Mexican (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off the excess fat to keep the dish leaner. Return the skillet to medium-low heat and stir in 1 cup of chunky salsa. Cook until the mixture is heated through, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the baking dish: Pour about half of the red enchilada sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to coat the surface.
- Assemble enchiladas: Warm the tortillas according to the package instructions to make them pliable. Place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture down the center of each tortilla, then top with approximately 1 heaping tablespoon of shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam side down in the baking dish.
- Add sauce and cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Flour tortillas are preferred for this recipe for their softness and ease of rolling, but traditional corn tortillas can be used if preferred.
- Draining excess fat from the ground beef helps reduce the overall fat content in the dish.
- You can customize the salsa level of heat depending on your preference, from mild to spicy.
- If desired, garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or sliced jalapeños when serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: beef enchiladas, easy enchiladas, 5 ingredient recipe, Mexican casserole, ground beef recipe, enchilada sauce, baked enchiladas

