The Perfect Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas Recipe for Dinner Bliss

Beef enchiladas represent a classic comfort dish that brings warmth and excitement to any dinner table.

These hearty rolls packed with seasoned meat offer a delightful balance of textures and robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Mexican-inspired cuisine shines through in this simple yet satisfying recipe that transforms basic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Succulent ground beef nestled within soft corn tortillas creates a mouthwatering combination that promises to please everyone at the table.

Layered with a rich, tangy sauce and melted sharp cheddar, these enchiladas elevate weeknight meals from ordinary to memorable.

Quick preparation and minimal kitchen skills make this recipe accessible for home cooks seeking a delicious meal without complicated techniques.

You’ll find these beef enchiladas become an instant family favorite that sparks conversations and creates lasting memories: gather around the table and savor every bite.

What Makes Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas a Hit

• Savor Robust Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich red sauce, ground beef, and a blend of cheese, these enchiladas deliver an intense taste experience that dances across your palate with every single bite.
• Quick and Straightforward Cooking: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning meal in under an hour, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Customizable Comfort Food Delight: Easy to adapt with different meats, cheeses, or additional vegetables, these enchiladas offer flexibility for personal preferences while maintaining a classic southwestern comfort food profile.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, this dish serves multiple people and creates a communal eating experience that brings everyone together around a warm, satisfying meal.

Components for Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

• Canola Oil: Neutral cooking oil for creating a smooth, even roux.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a rich base.
• Red Sauce: Provides depth and traditional enchilada flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances overall sauce complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor.

• Ground Beef: Primary protein for the enchiladas, rich and hearty.
• Onions: Adds sweetness and aromatic base to the meat mixture.
• Green Chilies: Brings mild heat and traditional southwestern flavor.
• Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp onion notes and color.
• Black Olives: Adds briny, salty contrast to the meat.

• Tortillas: Soft corn tortillas for authentic enchilada texture.
• Cheese: Melts beautifully, creates creamy richness throughout the dish.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb garnish with bright, clean flavor.

Instructions for Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

Step 1: Prepare Enchilada Sauce

• Red sauce
• Chicken broth
• Salt
• Pepper

Simmer the mixture until smooth and well-blended.

Step 2: Cook Ground Beef

Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet. Drain excess fat and season with salt. Set the meat mixture aside.

Step 3: Soften Tortillas

Heat canola oil in a small skillet. Quickly fry each tortilla until soft and pliable. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 4: Assemble Enchiladas

• Cooked ground beef
• Diced green chilies
• Chopped green onions
• Sliced black olives
• Shredded cheese

Roll the tortillas tightly and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle additional cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Pointers for an Awesome Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

• Melt Cheese Majestically: Create a golden, bubbling cheese layer that transforms your enchiladas into a mouthwatering masterpiece with extra cheese sprinkled generously on top.
• Prep Ahead Brilliantly: Assemble enchiladas a day early and refrigerate, allowing flavors to dance and deepen while simplifying your cooking process.
• Dress with Fresh Flair: Scatter chopped cilantro over the finished dish, introducing a vibrant burst of freshness that cuts through the rich, hearty flavors.
• Customize Your Spice: Tweak green chili and olive amounts to match your family's unique taste preferences and heat tolerance.
• Crisp Tortillas Perfectly: Quickly fry tortillas in oil to prevent tearing during rolling and add a delightful subtle crunch to your enchilada experience.

Safekeeping Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

Vacuum Seal Method: Use a vacuum sealer to remove all air from the storage container, preventing freezer burn and preserving the enchiladas’ original flavor for up to 3 months. This technique locks in moisture and prevents flavor degradation.

Portion Control Method: Divide enchiladas into individual serving sizes before storing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. This approach makes reheating convenient and prevents unnecessary thawing of the entire batch.

Temperature Tracking Method: Place a small kitchen thermometer in your refrigerator or freezer to ensure consistent cold temperatures. Keep the fridge at 40°F or below and freezer at 0°F to maximize food safety and maintain the enchiladas’ quality. Regularly check and adjust temperature settings to protect your delicious meal from potential spoilage.

Variations to Try with Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

• Spicy Southwest Beef Enchiladas: Add jalapeños and chipotle peppers to the meat mixture for a fiery kick. Replace green onions with diced poblano peppers for extra heat and depth.
• Chicken and Green Chile Enchiladas: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken. Increase green chile amount and add roasted green chiles for a more intense southwestern flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas: Replace beef with black beans and roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version that maintains rich, authentic flavors.
• Tex-Mex Fusion Enchiladas: Mix ground beef with taco seasoning and add corn kernels. Top with crumbled queso fresco and a dollop of sour cream for a creamy, tangy finish that elevates the traditional recipe.

Summation of Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas

Mexican culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s enchilada recipe, blending robust flavors and comforting textures.

Rich red sauce envelops tender beef, creating a symphony of southwestern charm.

Layers of melted cheese and carefully seasoned meat promise an authentic dining experience.

Each rolled tortilla tells a delicious story of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Garten’s masterful technique elevates this classic dish beyond simple home cooking.

Passionate cooks and hungry souls: dive into this recipe, share its delightful secrets across social platforms, and let your kitchen become a celebration of flavor.

Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s beef enchiladas blend Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting home-style cooking. Melted cheese, tender spiced beef, and rich sauce create a delectable meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 3 cups (340 grams) grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Tortillas and Sauce Components:

• 10 to 14 corn tortillas
• 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) enchilada or Mexican red sauce
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cans (4 ounces / 113 grams each) diced green chilies

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• ½ cup chopped black olives
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Canola oil for frying
• Cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

1. Create a savory roux by whisking canola oil and all-purpose flour together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat (175°C/350°F), stirring continuously to prevent burning.
2. Gradually incorporate red enchilada sauce, low-sodium chicken broth, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the roux, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes.
3. In a separate large skillet, brown lean ground beef and finely chopped white onions over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles.
4. Drain excess fat from the beef mixture, season with a pinch of salt, and set aside in a warm location.
5. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of canola oil in a small skillet, quickly frying each corn tortilla for 10-15 seconds until softened but not crisp.
6. Transfer fried tortillas to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and allow them to cool slightly.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish by spreading 1/2 cup of prepared sauce on the bottom.
8. Dip each tortilla into the warm sauce, then carefully fill with seasoned ground beef, diced green chilies, sliced green onions, chopped black olives, and shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Roll each tortilla tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are snugly arranged.
10. Pour remaining sauce evenly over the enchiladas and sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are slightly crispy.
12. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving hot.

Notes

• Explore the rich culinary heritage of Mexico, where enchiladas began as a simple corn tortilla rolled around small fish during Mayan times.
• Transform ground beef into a flavor-packed filling by browning it with onions, creating deep caramelized notes that make every bite memorable.
• Quickly soften tortillas using canola oil, ensuring they’re perfectly pliable for rolling without becoming overly greasy or crisp.
• Drain excess beef fat to keep the dish light and concentrate the meat’s robust flavor, preventing a heavy, oily texture.
• Brighten the entire dish with fresh green onions and cilantro, cutting through the rich cheese and meat with vibrant, zesty freshness.
• Create a show-stopping red sauce that weaves all ingredients together, adding a slightly spicy and completely irresistible foundation to the enchiladas.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 787
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 710mg
• Fat: 66g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 26g
• Cholesterol: 91mg