These Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas are a hearty and satisfying meal, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Loaded with a savory ground beef filling, smothered in a rich red enchilada sauce, and generously topped with melted cheese, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for a comforting and flavorful dish that’s sure to become a new family favorite, look no further than these beef enchiladas inspired by the Pioneer Woman herself.
Close-up of beef enchiladas on a plate, showcasing the melted cheese and red sauce
What makes these Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas so special? It’s the combination of simple, yet high-quality ingredients and a cooking method that maximizes flavor and texture. While some enchilada recipes can be complicated, this one is surprisingly straightforward, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
One of the key elements of this recipe is the choice of tortillas. While flour tortillas are often favored for their ease of handling, this recipe champions corn tortillas for their authentic flavor. If you’ve ever struggled with corn tortillas tearing when making enchiladas, you’ll appreciate the technique used here: a quick fry and dip in the red sauce. This process not only softens the tortillas, making them pliable and easy to roll, but it also infuses them with extra flavor from the sauce and prevents them from becoming soggy during baking. It might seem like an extra step, but trust us, it makes all the difference in creating enchiladas that are both delicious and structurally sound.
The filling is also wonderfully simple yet incredibly tasty. Ground beef, seasoned and sautéed with onions and green chilies, forms the base of this flavorful enchilada filling. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – while ground beef is classic and convenient, you could easily substitute shredded chicken, pork, or even turkey to suit your preferences. The addition of diced green chilies adds a mild kick and depth of flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
To top it all off, a generous blanket of sharp cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of green onions are added before baking, creating a melty, gooey, and irresistible finish. When serving these enchiladas, consider adding a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, or your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, or a dash of hot sauce to customize each plate.
This recipe is designed to serve about 6 people, but be warned, they are so delicious that you might find everyone wanting seconds! Leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) reheat beautifully, making them a fantastic option for meal prepping or enjoying the next day.
Overhead view of a baking dish filled with Pioneer Woman beef enchiladas, ready to be served
What You’ll Need to Make Pioneer Woman’s Beef Enchiladas:
-
For the Sauce:
- Canola Oil
- All-purpose Flour
- Red Enchilada Sauce (canned or homemade)
- Chicken Broth
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Fresh Cilantro, chopped
-
For the Beef Filling:
- Ground Beef
- Onion, diced
- Diced Green Chilies (canned)
- Salt
-
For the Tortillas:
- Corn Tortillas
- Canola Oil (for frying)
-
For Assembly and Topping:
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- Sour Cream (for serving, optional)
- Green Onions, chopped (for garnish)
Let’s Get Cooking: Making Pioneer Woman’s Beef Enchiladas Step-by-Step
-
Prepare the Red Enchilada Sauce: In a large saucepan set over medium heat, pour in the canola oil. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk constantly to create a smooth paste. Cook for about one minute, stirring continuously. Gradually pour in the red enchilada sauce and chicken broth, whisking to combine. Stir in the chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
-
Make the Ground Beef Filling: While the sauce simmers, prepare the beef filling. In a skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the canned diced green chilies and salt. Set the beef filling aside.
-
Soften the Corn Tortillas: Once the sauce is simmering and the beef filling is ready, heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat for frying the tortillas. 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 fried tortillas and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat this process until all tortillas are softened.
-
Assemble and Bake the Enchiladas: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour about ½ cup of the red enchilada sauce into the bottom of a baking pan (9×13 inch is ideal) and spread it evenly. Dip each softened corn tortilla into the warm red sauce, coating both sides lightly. Remove the sauced tortilla to a work surface. Spoon a generous amount of the ground beef filling down the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle a little grated cheddar cheese and some chopped green onions over the beef filling. Roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam-down in the prepared baking pan. Repeat this process until all enchiladas are assembled and arranged in the pan. Pour the remaining red enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiladas in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheddar cheese and chopped green onions over the top.
-
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the enchiladas are heated through, the sauce is bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the baked Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and extra chopped green onions, if desired.
Beef enchiladas on a plate, cut open to show the beef and cheese filling, with a fork ready to eat
Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas:
- Don’t skip frying the tortillas: This step is crucial for both flavor and texture. Frying briefly softens the corn tortillas, making them pliable and preventing them from cracking, and it adds a subtle toasted corn flavor that enhances the overall dish.
- Use quality red enchilada sauce: The sauce is a star ingredient, so choose a red enchilada sauce that you enjoy. You can use canned for convenience or make your own homemade enchilada sauce for an even richer flavor.
- Customize your cheese: While sharp cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
- Add some heat: If you like a spicier enchilada, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef filling or use a spicier red enchilada sauce. You can also include some finely diced jalapeños in the filling.
- Make ahead instructions: You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Looking for More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes?
If you enjoyed these Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas, be sure to try these other fantastic Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes:
- 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
Enjoy making and sharing these incredible Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas! They are a true taste of comfort food that your family and friends will absolutely love.
Close-up of enchiladas being lifted with a fork, showing the cheesy texture
Pioneer Woman’s Beef Enchiladas Recipe
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose Flour
- 28 oz can Red Enchilada Sauce
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Chopped Cilantro
Beef Filling:
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Small Onion, finely diced
- 4 oz can Diced Green Chilies
- ½ teaspoon salt
Tortillas:
- 12-14 Corn Tortillas
- ½ cup Canola Oil
Assembly:
- 3 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided between filling and topping
- Sour Cream and Chopped Green Onion, for topping
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and flour and whisk together to make a paste, cooking for one minute. Add the red sauce, chicken broth, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and lightly simmer for 20 minutes while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
- Brown the meat with onions in a skillet. Drain off fat. Stir in the diced green chilies and salt. Set aside.
- When the sauce is done simmering heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat. One by one, using tongs, fry tortillas in oil until soft, not crisp – about 20 seconds per side. Remove to a paper—towel lined plate. Repeat until all tortillas have been fried.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour ½ cup red sauce in the bottom of a baking pan. Spread to even out. Dip each tortilla into red sauce, then remove to work surface. Spoon meat, a little grated cheese (about a ½ tbsp) and green onions in the center of tortilla. Roll up and place, seam down, in baking pan. Repeat until pan is filled. Pour extra red sauce over enchiladas. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and green onions.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot with sour cream and additional chopped green onion.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Pioneer Woman
Tried this recipe? I’d love to see it! Mention @CheeseCurdInParadise or tag #cheesecurdinparadise on Instagram!
Pioneer Woman Beef Enchiladas plated and ready to eat
Cheese Curd In Paradise uses affiliate links. These links are at no additional cost to the reader and/or user. However, Cheese Curd In Paradise will make commission is you click the link AND make a purchase.
This post was originally published in 2012 and was updated in 2020 for reader enhancement and enjoyment.
« Slow Cooker Verde Chicken Chili
20 Delicious & Easy Margarita Recipes »
