The deliciousness of both tacos and enchiladas are brought together in this zesty Taco Enchilada Casserole! Made in one dish with layers of beef, enchilada sauce, peppers, corn, and beans, it’s ready to be enjoyed by the whole family in just 30 minutes.
Beef enchilada casserole recipe
I am a lover of casseroles. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re always just so filling, family-friendly, and great to make ahead of time. My Leftover Spaghetti Casserole, Stuffed Pepper Casserole, French Fry Casserole and Taco Spaghetti Casserole are always a go-to on busy weeknights!
Naturally, as someone who can’t get enough of tacos, enchiladas, and casseroles, I combined the three into this hearty and delicious Taco Enchilada Casserole. It’s filled with layers of tortillas, ground beef, red enchilada sauce, peppers, beans, and salsa so you get a little bit of everything!
Instead of stuffing and wrapping the tortillas like in traditional enchilada recipes, this casserole is made lasagna-style and layered with tortillas, beef, veggies, and cheese. It’s just as delicious as my Mexican Lasagna but much more smoky and hearty.
How to make a taco enchilada casserole
I love this casserole because it’s easy to make ahead of time, freezer-friendly, and really flexible. After a quick 30 minutes in the oven, this easy recipe is ready to be enjoyed with all of your favorite Mexican-inspired side dishes. Here’s how it’s done:
First, make the beef filling but sauteeing the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. When the meat is brown, stir in the enchilada sauce and salsa. Set it aside.
Combine the black beans, chopped peppers and corn in a bowl.
Start assembling the casserole by placing 4 corn tortillas on the bottom of your casserole dish.
Cover the tortillas with half of the meat mixture.
Top it with half of the bean and corn mix.
And now add a layer of cheese on top.
To repeat, add another 4 tortillas on top of the cheese layer, then the rest of the beef, bean and corn mix, and cheese.
Bake the enchilada and taco casserole uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes out of the oven, then serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Salsa – Use jarred red salsa, fresh tomato salsa, or homemade tomatillo salsa if you make a chicken enchilada casserole instead of beef.
- Meat – You can make enchilada casserole with almost any meat you love. Try it with shredded chicken, storebought or homemade rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, or leftover steak.
- Enchilada sauce – There’s really no replacing the smoky, bold flavors of enchilada sauce. You can buy it from the grocery store to make this recipe as simple as possible or make homemade enchilada sauce instead.
- Tortillas – I recommend using corn tortillas because they hold their shape well, but you can use flour tortillas instead.
- Vegan – To make a vegan enchilada casserole, use plant based ground meat and dairy free cheese instead of the real thing.
- Gluten free – Just use corn tortillas or your favorite gluten free tortillas!
- Toppings – Top each serving with sour cream, guacamole, more cheese, or cilantro!
Frequently asked questions
What can you serve with enchilada casserole?
I especially love serving a scoop of this easy enchilada casserole with jalapeno cornbread on the side, but it’s good with all of your Mexican favorites! Serve it next to cilantro lime rice, refried beans, cooked black beans, or a Mexican arugula salad. Don’t forget the tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole!
Can you make the enchilada casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble and store the enchilada taco casserole up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover the casserole dish with plastic and keep it in the fridge until it’s time to bake.
Alternatively, bake the casserole, let it cool, and store it (covered) in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the casserole or individual portions in a 350ºF oven or microwave for a few minutes.
Is it freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Wrap the unbaked and assembled casserole really well in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. It can be baked right from frozen until the cheese is melted.
More Mexican-inspired recipes you’ll love
- Slow Cooker Steak Tacos
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Stovetop Taco Soup
- Cheesy Taco Casserole
- Quesadilla Casserole
- Vegetarian Taco Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Tomatillo Casserole
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Taco Enchilada Casserole
PrintIngredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 10 oz can enchilada sauce
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 large bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup corn frozen or fresh
- 8 6 inch corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef. Stir in enchilada sauce and salsa. Set aside.
- In a bowl combine black beans, chopped bell pepper and corn.
- In a 11×8 baking dish, place 4 tortillas down.
- Add 1/2 of beef mixture on top of the tortillas. Add 1/2 of the bean mixture on top of ground beef. Spread out 1/2 of the shredded cheese on top.
- Repeat layers: add another 4 tortillas on top of the cheese layer, then the rest of the beef, bean and corn mix, and cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle cilantro to garnish (optional). Serve, and enjoy!
Lisa says
Jonesing for mexican. Was going to make soft shell chicken tacos but saw this recipe and am going to make this instead. Will be using chicken tho. So hungry!
Pamela says
Hope you enjoyed it Lisa!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
This is up our alley!! Love this…
Pamela says
Enjoy!
Jen Nikolaus says
Wow. This casserole looks exactly like the kind of dinner I love. The colors are so bright and fresh. Yum! Thanks for sharing on Saturday Night Fever! Pinning now. See you again this week!
Pamela says
Thanks for stopping by, enjoy Jen!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
I love your list of all the nice things! There is just truly the little things that make me happy like that. (=
I have to have this in my belly asap. I’m serious! Can’t decide what to make for the clan tonight…so I’m thinking of this. They’d love it!
Pamela says
Hope you all enjoy Gloria!
Tessa @ Feral Kitchen says
Great looking casserole!
Stephanie @ PlainChicken says
This dish definitely deserves seconds! Looks delicious.
Pamela says
I might have went back for thirds. 😉
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
That looks awesome! I made a ‘taco lasagna’ a few weeks ago, and it looked great and smelled amazing. Once I cut it and tried to serve it, it slid all over the place. What a mess!! Back to the drawing board!!
I’m excited to try your recipe – it looks incredibly yummy! And, yeah, those veggies – I would totally munch on some of those, too! I don’t even care if anyone sees me!
PS – love you photos of the assembly steps! Great!!
Pamela says
Gretchen, your lasagna still sounds great! 😉 Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy it!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
what a beautiful post – so good to give thanks! and it seems with good reason 🙂
Pamela says
Thanks for stopping by Tandy!
Cecile says
A lovely post Pamela! We DO have to celebrate all the “positives” in our lives. All the “little things” that touch our hearts.
And – I am sooo “all over this casserole”…..!!! I can’t wait to make it!!
Pamela says
Enjoy Cecile!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Great energy with a great looking recipe!! Thanks for adding sunshine to MY day with this one!
Pamela says
So glad to hear that Dan!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
This kind of posts make my day, thank you for being so so nice!
And tacos + casseroles??? Sign me up, this stuff sounds spectacular and I NEED to try it 🙂
Katie says
YUM!! This is the only way I make enchiladas also. Casseroles are the best, aren’t they?
Pamela says
I love casseroles Katie!!
Cailee says
Oh my!! This looks sooo tasty! Perfect fall comfort food!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
I am going to go to bed dreaming of this. I make something like this that my kiddos call Mexican lasagna. All Mexican goodness layer and covered with cheese. Seriously what is there not to love.
A recent niceness was when an older lady complimented me on my mustard colored tights. I was a little unsure of them but her one comment boosted my self esteem so much and I rocked those tights.
Pamela says
That lady knows her style. Go on with your colored tights Jamie!
Monet says
Sweet friend, you are a bright and beautiful soul. Thank you for bringing us all this goodness, week after week. I loved reading your list of nice people. It made me want to write my own. And this casserole? I want a big piece of it now! Thank you for sharing!
Pamela says
Thanks for stopping by Monet!
marcie says
In a word….YUM! I love dishes like this, Pamela!
jackie @ Marin mama cooks says
Ok, first off how did you do that cool step-by-step collage? I so need that app or whatever you used to do that. It looks perfect. I also love how your kitty is totally checking out what’s in the measuring cup. ADORABLE!
Being grateful for the simple things like a smile and a compliment is the way to go. I’m feeling especially grateful as well lately and I have chosen to focus on the positive things in life rather than the negative. I’m being budda and changing my thought process, because when I focus or think about the good things, good things happen! I love that you’re such a positive spirit! xoxo, Jackie
Pamela says
That’s great advice to focus on the positive, I’m trying hard to keep it there although some days it’s hard (I’m sure everyone can relate). I used Photoshop for the collage. Thanks for stopping by Jackie!
Kelly says
I think everyone can benefit from little kind gestures everyday whether you’re the receiving or giving them – thanks for sharing this nice post 🙂
This casserole looks amaaaazing!!! Love all these pics – you definitely know how to make a gal hungry 🙂 Pinning to make for sure 🙂