How To Make Ground Beef Enchiladas With Flour Tortillas

Enchiladas, a staple of Mexican cuisine, are a tantalizing dish that combines savory fillings with warm tortillas and a flavorful sauce. Ground beef enchiladas, in particular, are a crowd-pleaser, offering a hearty and delicious meal. This comprehensive guide will unveil the secrets of creating mouthwatering ground beef enchiladas with flour tortillas, ensuring your culinary endeavors are a resounding success.

Gather Your Ingredients:

To embark on this culinary adventure, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (10-ounce) can green chili enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 flour tortillas
• Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Instructions:

1. Season and Brown the Ground Beef:

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Drain any excess grease.

2. Sauté the Vegetables:

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened.

3. Combine the Sauces:

In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce and green chili enchilada sauce.

4. Assemble the Enchiladas:

Spread a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place a flour tortilla in the dish and spread with a layer of ground beef mixture, followed by a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas.

5. Pour the Remaining Sauce:

Pour the remaining sauce mixture evenly over the enchiladas.

6. Bake and Serve:

Bake the enchiladas at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately with your desired toppings.

Tips for Perfect Enchiladas:

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
• Add a splash of beer or red wine to the ground beef mixture for extra depth.
• Use a variety of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or queso fresco, for a more complex flavor profile.
• Don’t overfill the tortillas, as this can make them difficult to roll and may cause them to burst during baking.
• If you don’t have a baking dish, you can use a large skillet or even a Dutch oven to bake the enchiladas.

Variations:

• Vegetarian Enchiladas: Substitute ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or lentils.
• Chicken Enchiladas: Use cooked and shredded chicken instead of ground beef.
• Cheese Enchiladas: Omit the ground beef and increase the amount of cheese in the filling.

FAQ:

Q: Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
A: Yes, you can use corn tortillas, but they may be more difficult to roll and may break more easily.

Q: How can I make the sauce spicier?
A: Add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the sauce mixture to your desired level of spiciness.

Q: Can I freeze enchiladas?
A: Yes, you can freeze enchiladas before or after baking. To freeze unbaked enchiladas, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. To freeze baked enchiladas, let them cool completely before freezing them in the same manner.

Q: How do I reheat enchiladas?
A: To reheat baked enchiladas, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. To reheat frozen enchiladas, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them in the oven.

Q: What are some other toppings I can use for enchiladas?
A: In addition to sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, you can also use shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sliced avocado, or chopped cilantro as toppings.