Craving a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying Mexican-inspired dish? Look no further than this incredible Beef Enchilada Casserole Pioneer Woman style! Inspired by the queen of comfort food herself, Ree Drummond, this recipe takes the classic beef enchilada and transforms it into an easy-to-assemble casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you need a crowd-pleasing meal.
Beef enchiladas plated and ready to eat
If you’re like me, you adore enchiladas. The combination of savory beef filling, rich red sauce, and melted cheese is simply irresistible. While traditional enchiladas are delicious, sometimes you want something a bit simpler and less time-consuming to prepare. That’s where this beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe shines. It captures all the amazing flavors of enchiladas in an easy-to-layer casserole format.
What sets this recipe apart is Pioneer Woman’s genius method for preparing the corn tortillas. Forget about struggling with brittle, breakable tortillas! This recipe uses a quick frying technique that softens the corn tortillas perfectly, making them pliable and easy to roll (or in this case, layer!). Dipping them in the flavorful red sauce before assembly adds another layer of deliciousness and ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
While you could certainly use flour tortillas, trust me, corn tortillas are the way to go for authentic enchilada flavor. The slight extra effort of softening them is absolutely worth it. The taste and texture they bring to this beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe are unmatched.
The filling itself is wonderfully simple yet incredibly tasty: seasoned ground beef, savory green chilies, and melty cheese. This classic combination is a guaranteed winner. Feel free to adapt the filling to your liking – shredded chicken, pork, or even vegetarian options would work beautifully. However, the ease and deliciousness of ground beef make it a fantastic choice for a weeknight meal.
Topping this beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman style is just as straightforward: more cheese and a sprinkle of green onions. Once baked, the cheese becomes bubbly and golden brown, creating a truly comforting and satisfying dish. Serve it with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocado, or salsa for an extra touch of freshness and flavor.
This recipe is designed to serve about 6 people, but be warned – it’s so good, you might find everyone going back for seconds (or thirds!). Leftovers, if you’re lucky enough to have any, reheat beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying again the next day.
Close up of beef enchiladas in a casserole dish
What You’ll Need to Make Pioneer Woman’s Beef Enchilada Casserole
Let’s gather the ingredients for this mouthwatering beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe. You’ll need components for the sauce, the beef filling, the tortillas, and the final assembly:
For the Flavorful Red Sauce:
- Canola Oil
- All-purpose Flour
- Red Enchilada Sauce (canned or homemade)
- Chicken Broth
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Fresh Chopped Cilantro
For the Hearty Beef Filling:
- Ground Beef
- Onion (diced)
- Diced Green Chilies (canned)
- Salt
For the Softened Tortillas:
- Corn Tortillas
- Canola Oil (for frying)
For Assembling the Casserole:
- Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream (for serving, optional)
- Chopped Green Onion (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman’s Beef Enchilada Casserole
Ready to get cooking? Here’s how to make this delicious beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe:
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Prepare the Red Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the canola oil. Whisk in the flour to create a paste (roux). Cook for about one minute, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in the red enchilada sauce and chicken broth, whisking to combine. Stir in the cilantro, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes while you prepare the rest of the casserole. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Cook the Beef Filling: While the sauce simmers, brown the ground beef with diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the diced green chilies and salt. Set aside.
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Soften the Corn Tortillas: Once the sauce is simmering and the beef is cooked, heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Using tongs, carefully fry each corn tortilla in the hot oil for about 20 seconds per side, just until softened but not crispy. Remove the softened tortillas to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat until all tortillas are softened. This step is crucial for preventing the tortillas from cracking and ensures a tender casserole.
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Assemble the Beef Enchilada Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour about ½ cup of the red sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly. Dip each softened tortilla into the warm red sauce, coating both sides. Lay a sauce-coated tortilla on a work surface. Spoon a generous amount of the beef filling and a sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese in the center of the tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and place it seam-down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, filling, and cheese, arranging them snugly in the dish. Pour the remaining red sauce evenly over the enchiladas in the casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
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Serve and Enjoy! Let the beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman style cool slightly before serving. Garnish with sour cream and extra chopped green onion, if desired. Serve hot and prepare for rave reviews!
Beef enchiladas served on a plate with a fork, ready to eat
Craving More Mexican-Inspired Deliciousness?
If you loved this beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe, you might also enjoy these other fantastic Mexican-inspired dishes:
- Slow Cooker Verde Chicken Chili
- Fried Ice Cream Cake
- White Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Tamale Casserole
- Simple Instant Pot Pork Verde Tacos
- Sheet Pan Chili Lime Chicken Fajitas
Give this beef enchilada casserole Pioneer Woman recipe a try and bring the taste of authentic Mexican comfort food to your table tonight! You won’t be disappointed.
