Beef Enchilada Casserole

This easy recipe for beef enchilada casserole uses your microwave to cook up this spicy, cheesy supper in no time flat! Perfect for families on the go.

Why we love this recipe

Okay, I think I have oh, zero recipes on this blog that rely heavily on the microwave as the major cooking appliance.  There is just something about the microwave that doesn’t feel like it is real cooking, with the exception of popcorn.  Oh, and baked potatoes!

Now, this is one of those recipes that LOOK like you worked and slaved for hours in your kitchen for ages.

But it actually takes a grand total of 15 minutes.  Maybe 20, if you are being leisurely.  

It’s that microwave thing I mentioned earlier, which usually doesn’t end up giving you scrumptious supper results, but in this case…YUM.  

Spicy taco-tasting meat and gooey melted cheese mixed in with layers of corn tortilla pieces.  If you kick everyone out of the kitchen for those 15 minutes, this can be our delicious secret!

Ingredients you need

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Taco Sauce: You can use taco sauce or enchilada sauce for this recipe, and you can find both in the international foods section of your supermarket. I always use the mild version of either because I am a big baby when it comes to heat, but if you want things spicier, go for regular…or hot! Same goes for the salsa.
• Tortillas: You need fresh corn tortillas for this recipe, which you can find usually in the dairy section of the supermarket. Flour tortillas don’t have the heft that you need.
• Taco Spices: You can use the kind in the envelope, or you can make your own with this super easy taco seasoning recipe!
• Cheese: We like shredded Cheddar, but shredded Monterey Jack or a shredded Mexican cheese mixture will also work.
• Garnishes: These are optional, but we do love a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of lime! Guacamole would also be amazing.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make this recipe

STEP 1: Put some ground beef and taco spices in a large pan and cook them over medium high heat until the beef is browned. Add some taco or enchilada sauce and salsa and bring it all to a simmer, then turn off the heat.

STEP 2: While the meat is cooking, cut up some fresh corn tortillas into roughly one inch pieces.

STEP 3: Arrange those cut up tortillas in the bottom of a microwave safe casserole dish.

STEP 4: Spoon the meat mixture over the tortillas and sprinkle the whole thing with lots of cheese. Pop it in the microwave for three to five minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Now spoon this deliciousness out onto plates, scooping all the way to the bottom so everyone gets their fair share of tortillas and beef and cheese. Top it off with a little sour cream and give everyone a lime wedge to squeeze over the top if you are feeling fancy.  

It’s guaranteed to have them asking for seconds!

Recipe FAQs

Want to round out your meal?

We love a little bacon guacamole on top of this casserole, and some sassy Mexican chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

And I really do need to insist on a strawberry margarita for the grown-ups at your table!

Other Tex-Mex recipes we love!

Looking for more spicy dinner inspiration? Check out our collection of Cinco de Mayo recipes right here!

Could you leave us a review?

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.

Beef Enchilada Casserole

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This easy recipe for beef enchilada casserole uses your microwave to cook up this spicy, cheesy supper in no time flat! Perfect for families on the go.

• Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop, Microwave
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 ten ounce can enchilada or taco sauce
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack and/or Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream and lime wedges for garnish

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Instructions

1. Combine beef and taco seasoning in large skillet and cook over medium high heat 8-10 minutes until meat is no longer pink. Add sauce and salsa and bring to a simmer. Simmer for one more minute then remove from heat.
2. As beef mixture cooks, place tortillas in a stack and cut into roughly one inch pieces, using a pizza cutter or kitchen shears. Arrange half the tortilla pieces evenly in a microwave-safe casserole. Top with half the beef mixture and half the cheese. Repeat with remaining tortillas, beef and cheese.
3. Microwave casserole on high for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream and lime wedges.

Notes

• Taco Sauce: You can use taco sauce or enchilada sauce for this recipe, and you can find both in the international foods section of your supermarket. I always use the mild version of either because I am a big baby when it comes to heat, but if you want things spicier, go for regular…or hot! Same goes for the salsa.
• Tortillas: You need fresh corn tortillas for this recipe, which you can find usually in the dairy section of the supermarket. Flour tortillas don’t have the heft that you need.
• Cheese: We like shredded Cheddar, but shredded Monterey Jack or a shredded Mexican cheese mixture will also work.
• Garnishes: These are optional, but we do love a dollop of sour cream and a squeeze of lime! Guacamole would also be amazing.

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