Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

Casserole:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 cups enchilada sauce, divided
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (7-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
• 12–14 flour or corn tortillas
• 1 ¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ¼ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Toppings:

• 1 diced avocado
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ cup diced tomato
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 minced jalapeno

Instructions:

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Ready a 9×13-inch casserole dish with a light coating of nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, cooking until it’s no longer pink. When it’s halfway cooked, incorporate the chopped onion, continuing to cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is tender.
3. Add Flavors: Reduce the skillet’s heat to low. Mix in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring well. After draining any surplus grease, blend in 1 ¼ cups of the enchilada sauce with the black beans and green chiles. Stir the mixture for 1-2 minutes until everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Layer the Casserole: Spread 2 tablespoons of the remaining enchilada sauce across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Create a base layer with ¼ of the tortillas, then add a layer of ⅓ of the beef mixture, followed by ¼ of each type of cheese. Repeat these layers twice more. Finish with a final layer of tortillas, the last of the enchilada sauce, and the remaining cheese.
5. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling hot. For a golden finish, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Prepare Toppings: While the casserole bakes, toss the diced avocado with lemon juice to prevent browning.
7. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, let the casserole cool for a few minutes. Before serving, garnish with the lemony avocado, fresh tomato, cilantro, and jalapeno for a burst of flavor and color.

Enjoy this heartwarming Beef Enchilada Casserole, a delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of beef and cheese with the freshness of avocado and tomato, making it a perfect meal for any day of the week.