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Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce

Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce is so simple to make! No store-bought red sauce needed for a Mexican entrée that’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes!

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Beefy Enchiladas is Mexican comfort food at its absolute best made with ground beef, onion, and warm spices in a homemade red enchilada sauce for authentic flavor.

Delicious spoonsful of flavorful saucy, smokey, spicy beef rolled up in corn tortillas, then topped with more meat sauce and Monterey Jack Cheese; these enchiladas are a classic recipe that deserves a place in everyone’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.

It’s no secret that I love Mexican food – it just makes me happy. And when it is super quick to make, easy-peasy, and worth 100% of your effort, it becomes a no-brainer for when you want to get dinner on the table fast with a dish everyone will love.

Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce

ABOUT THIS RECIPE (per serving)

Gluten FreeQuick & Easy
Servings:  6
AVG. Maker RATING: 
5 from 2 votes
Write a Recipe Review
Prep Time :15 minutes
Cook Time :15 minutes
Total Time :30 minutes
Course : Dinner, Entrée, Lunch
Cuisine : Mexican
Diet : Gluten Free
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories 369
Fat 13.9
Carbohydrates 24.9
Protein 34.1

It's All About the Sauce

The magnificence of this easy beef enchilada recipe is the homemade red sauce made with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

This recipe is reinvented and updated from the Easy Beef Enchiladas recipe given to me during the home economics class in seventh grade at Pennfield Middle School, Battle Creek, Michigan. The original method called for canned red enchilada sauce from the store.

While that version of the recipe tastes good, and I have made it that way many times for years, this adaptation of the method is over the top delicious because of the smokey, spicy flavored homemade red sauce.

Most of my recipe adaptations happen because of one or the other of these scenarios.
1) I have forgotten to get an ingredient at the store, or
2) I have a partial can of something in the refrigerator that I do not want to spoil.

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How to get deep, smokey, flavor...

Have you ever noticed that no recipe ever calls for using a whole can of chipotle chilis in adobo sauce?

Don't get me wrong... I love Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce.

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce is one of the easiest ways to get deep, smokey, spicy flavor into a dish. The only problem is that no recipe ever calls for the whole can of the chilis in the sauce. Cook with them once, and there are always leftovers. Always.

But I hate throwing food out!

You are probably asking yourself, doesn’t she know that it’s so easy just to freeze the extra peppers and sauce?

Yep, I do know that. I’ve done it.

I know that you can quickly freeze the peppers in sauce in an ice cube tray or flatten them out in a zipper bag for future use. And, I also know that when you do freeze them, they will last almost forever and that they are super easy to thaw and use for a variety of dishes.  

But I’m usually in a hurry, so I just cover the can they came in with foil and plop it on a shelf in the refrigerator to nag me for days to make something from that list of “a variety of dishes” to make with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

But “a variety of dishes” isn’t much help, huh?

“A variety of dishes” is NOT what I’m thinking about when the half gone can is staring me in the face every time I open the refrigerator.

Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce
Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce is so simple to make! No store-bought red sauce needed for a Mexican entrée that’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes!

Hence, the inspiration...

Having a can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce sitting in my refrigerator became the inspiration for making homemade red enchilada sauce. And that’s when homemade enchilada sauce became my easy-peasy go-to excuse for making Easy Beef Enchiladas and never buying another can of the off-the-shelf red sauce again.

Isn’t it funny how those things happen? Do things like this ever happen at your house too?

If they do, let me know in the comments below.

The very best news is that Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce is super easy to make, and you probably already have all the ingredients on hand like canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, an onion, a few common spices and about a pound of ground beef. Make it in about 10-15 minutes, and enchiladas are not far away!

XXO

Kymberley

P.S. If you don’t have corn tortillas, you can still make this recipe by making it casserole style. Start with a layer of the meat sauce in the baking dish, then some cheese, next add a layer of corn tortilla chips then repeat the layers ending with the cheese on top. It turns out just as good!

P.S.S. SUPER IMPORTANT NOTE!  I mention this in the recipe card below but it’s also worth repeating here. Be really careful after transferring the tomato and chili mixture to the blender. Be sure to pulse and blend the mixture SLOWLY. Pulsing and blending the mixture on low until it becomes a puree. It’s really HOT and if it is blended too fast the mixture will build pressure and you could end up with the sauce blowing the top off your blender making a huge mess. So again, be very careful during the blending because the mixture is extremely hot!

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Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce

Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce

Kymberley @GfreeDeliciously
Easy Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Red Sauce is so simple to make! No store-bought red sauce needed for a Mexican entrée that’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Gluten FreeQuick & Easy
This recipe may contain affiliate links. For more information, visit our Affiliate Disclosure.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Entrée, Lunch
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 369 kcal

EQUIPMENT

  • 7x10" Oven-Safe Baking Dish
  • Large skillet
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Utensils (Measuring Cups and Spoons, Wooden Spoon or High-Heat Spatula)

INGREDIENTS
 
 

  • 1 Pound Ground Beef
  • 8-10 small gluten-free Corn Tortillas
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese grated [1]
  • 14.5 can diced Tomatoes
  • ½ can Chipotle Chilis in Adobo Sauce (7 ounce can)
  • ½ cup Tomato Sauce
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried Oregano or, 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh chopped oregano can be substituted for dried
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Parsley for garnish optional
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INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF, and butter baking pan or spray with gluten-free, high heat spray.
  • Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef to cook. Using a wooden spoon or high-heat spatula, break up the ground beef while cooking. Cooking time is about 5 to 8 minutes until it is no longer pink. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until most of the liquid is gone. Add onion, garlic, and spices, occasionally stirring to cook until the onion becomes transparent.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine tomatoes, chilis in adobo sauce, and tomato sauce over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer tomato and chili mixture to a blender. Pulse and blend on low until it becomes a puree. (Be very careful during the blending because the mixture is extremely hot.) [3]
  • Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of the baking dish then spread an additional 1/4 cup of the sauce on a clean plate.
  • Add the remaining sauce to the ground beef mixture and stir in to combine then remove from heat.
  • Arrange the corn tortillas on a plate, covering with a damp paper towel and microwave for approximately 60 seconds to soften. Doing this will make rolling the tortillas easier and minimize breaking. Keep the paper towel covering the tortillas while completing the following step, so they do not dry out and harden.
  • One at a time, place the tortillas on the plate with the sauce to coat the surface on one side only. Flip over so that the sauce side is up, add some of the ground beef mixture. Top with a little grated cheese, then roll it up and place in the baking pan with the seam side down. Repeat until the baking pan is full of filled tortillas. Spread any remaining meat and sauce mixture over the top of the tortillas in the pan. End with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese.
  • Bake the enchiladas for approximately 15 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

KITCHEN NOTES

[1] Cotija cheese works well as a substitute for a more authentic southwest taste.
[2] For additional flavors, add green chilies, black olives, or sour cream as toppers.
[3] (Be very careful during the blending because the mixture is extremely hot.)

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 24.9gProtein: 34.1gFat: 13.9gSaturated Fat: 7.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4.5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 72.4mgSodium: 902.5mgPotassium: 574mgFiber: 3.7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 98.2IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 541.1mgIron: 3.7mg
Keyword cheese, chocolate sauce, Ground Beef, Tortillas
Tried this recipe?Review it ! Or leave a comment. It’s super helpful for others and us!

Recipe Card powered by WP Recipe Maker 

(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)

Copyright © 2017-2024 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. The sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.

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Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Hi, I'm Kymberley, the creator of GfreeDeliciously and the Amazing, Glorious Journey Programs. I pray that my work will inspire you to honor your body through God and Good Food from the inside out, all while enjoying your Amazing, Glorious Journey!

Take a peek at the behind GfreeDeliciously

Being creative, cooking, fresh veggies, the violin, decorating for holidays, sewing, hand-quilting, cowgirl boots, country music, fresh herbs in pots, blowing dandelions to the wind, walking barefoot in the grass, hanging out with eclectic interesting people, reading, writing, warm lazy summer days, and yoga!

Gluten, cilantro, mixed vegetables (the frozen kind I grew up with), negativism, rudeness, narcissism, overstaying a welcome,
not helping out, liars, promiscuity, cockiness, know-it-alls, being overly-dramatic, goal-less-ness, poor hygiene, chauvinism, lacking a sense of humor, excessive competitiveness, Laziness, horrifying spellers, people-bashing, criticism and mockery of others and their beliefs, flakiness (because flaky people are really unappealing), more swagger than substance, people who constantly manage others (those folks who think they have all the answers…)

Lambrusco, my iPad, popcorn suppers, dark chocolate, cookbooks, Almond-Rocca, historical romances, sun-bathing, weekend coffee with a good book in bed, PBS cooking shows, romantic comedies, cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, and fragrant bubble baths with soft music and wine…

Say please and thank you, LAUGH, Pray often, ENCOURAGE others, Be KIND, HONEST, HAPPY, Keep your PROMISES, Be GRATEFUL, Wash your hands, FORGIVE yourself and others, LISTEN, Have FAITH, Be CONFIDENT, Honor your parents, CHERISH your children and grandchildren, TREASURE your family, ABIDE in GOD’s love, Be POLITE, Guard your HEART, SEEK your purpose, FEED your mind, body and soul, Be HOPEFUL, Resist temptation, Lay your burdens down, TRUST your gut, CONNECT with nature, Know that GOD made you perfect just the way you are, SERVE others, LIVE to love, Be COURAGEOUS, Shine bright, OPEN your mind, RESPECT differences, HONOR your inner hunger, SING loud, Be PROUD of who you are, Practice PATIENCE, Never give up, WEATHER the storms of life, Say I love you, LOVE one another

  • I’ve traveled to 32 states in the USA where I’ve enjoyed the food, history, people and the local culture while visiting.
  • Among the states, I’ve lived in are Arizona, California, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
  • My favorite island is Maui.
  • I’ve also been to Canada and Mexico.
  • I rode horses as a kid, and barrel-raced.
  • I broke my neck when I was 18 and went to senior prom in a neck brace.
  • As a little girl, I grew up living next door to my grandma and grandpa on a small lake in rural southern Michigan.
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  • The craziest thing I ever made was mint-flavored green cupcakes when I was 13. My family didn’t like them much…
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Coach | Cook | Creator | Publisher

Meet Kymberley [Upson] Pekrul

A professional writer and self-taught Gfree lifestyle expert on [most] gluten-free things, I’ve always loved cooking and creating delicious foods from scratch for myself and those I love.

My journey began when everything I thought I knew about cooking and eating suddenly changed one day when I discovered I was celiac. So, I re-learned how to eat, cook, and navigate through life gluten-free – trusting God and His plan for me.

I live in what’s known as the Holylands of Central Wisconsin. All the recipes you’ll find here are gluten-free and inspired by the people and places I love most. Whenever possible, I cook with seasonal ingredients using whole foods – Making dishes suitable for everyday life and all food lovers gathered at the same table.

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