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Savory Beef and Cheese Enchiladas Recipe Easy Homemade Red Sauce

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A rich and satisfying recipe for beef and cheese enchiladas with a smoky homemade red sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil (for sauce)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 3 tbsp chili powder (for sauce)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt to taste (for sauce)
  • Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
  • 8–10 corn tortillas (or flour tortillas if preferred)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar blend recommended)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
  • Sour cream or Mexican crema (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your baking dish and set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Stir in cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and bubbly but not burnt.
  5. Slowly add beef broth while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cinnamon (if using), and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until sauce thickens and deepens in color. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Warm tortillas slightly in a dry skillet or microwave to make them pliable. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling onto each tortilla, sprinkle some cheese over the filling, then roll up tightly.
  7. Place rolled tortillas seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the rich red sauce evenly over the enchiladas, making sure they’re well covered. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.
  8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and sauce is thick and fragrant.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve warm with sour cream or Mexican crema if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, whisk in a splash of beef broth to loosen. Avoid overfilling tortillas to prevent tearing. Warm tortillas before rolling to make them pliable. Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free corn tortillas for a gluten-free version. Ground turkey or shredded chicken can replace beef. Sauce roux must be cooked until golden to avoid raw flour taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef enchiladas, cheese enchiladas, red sauce, homemade enchiladas, Mexican recipe, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/savory-beef-and-cheese-enchiladas-recipe-easy-homemade-red-sauce/