Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (2024)

Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (1)

By: The Real Food DietitiansPosted: 11/13/23

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This Beef Skillet Enchiladas recipe has all the warm spices and savory flavors of classic enchiladas but requires just a fraction of the work of making traditional rolled enchiladas. This recipe is all made in one skillet on the stovetop, and it’s also gluten-free, high in protein, and comes together with just 15 minutes of prep time. Add this easy skillet recipe to your healthy meal plan for the week.

Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (2)

This post was created in partnership with Minnesota Beef Council.

Highlights: Beef Skillet Enchiladas

  • Easy to make: With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a total time of less than an hour, this is one of the simplest dinner recipes for a busy weeknight
  • Healthful: Made with lean ground beef, fresh veggies, black beans, and corn tortillas, this skillet recipe is a nutritionally well-rounded dish
  • Reheats well: Leftovers can be quickly reheated in the oven or on the stovetop and are just as tasty as the first day it was made
  • Family-friendly: Finished with all your favorite enchilada toppings, this Mexican-inspired recipe is a quick skillet dinner the whole family will look forward to eating
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Ingredients To Make Beef Skillet Enchiladas

Here’s what you need to make this skillet enchilada recipe today:

  • Olive oil – may sub avocado oil
  • Lean ground beef – we use 90-93% lean ground beef. Learn more about the different terms you see on beef labels and what they mean.
  • Veggies – red bell pepper, zucchini, green onions, and frozen corn; or sub in the veggies you have on hand and want to use up
  • Seasonings – this recipe calls for chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried oregano
  • Enchilada sauce – use a purchased red enchilada sauce, or make our delicious and easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce. Green enchilada sauce will also work
  • Black beans – may sub pinto beans
  • Corn tortillas – use gluten-free homemade corn tortillas or store-bought. We prefer 365 Stone Ground Yellow Corn Tortillas from Whole Foods, but any corn tortillas will work; may sub flour tortillas if you don’t need this recipe to be gluten free
  • Mexican cheese blend – may sub shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack
  • Toppings – green onions, fresh cilantro, sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced tomatoes, diced or sliced avocado, jalapeño slices, red onion, tortilla strips

Find the ingredient list and nutrition information with exact measurements, kcal, carbs, cholesterol, serving size, etc. in the recipe card below.

Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (4)
Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (5)

How To Make Skillet Enchiladas

Here are the quick steps to make this skillet enchiladas recipe today:

  1. Preheat the oven, and place a large oven-proof or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté the meat and veggies. Once hot, grease the skillet with cooking spray, add oil, and swirl it around to coat the pan. Add the meat and vegetables, and cook, breaking up the beef until it is no longer pink and the zucchini is tender.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients. Turn off the heat, and add the seasonings, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and part of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine before gently folding in the tortillas.
  4. Bake. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake until it is melted and bubbly.
  5. Garnish. Remove the skillet from the oven, add your toppings of choice, and enjoy warm.
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Ingredient Spotlight: Ground Beef

We include a variety of ground beef recipes in our meal plans from week to week. Not only is ground beef tasty and versatile, but it’s a healthful protein choice, too, since beef contains many essential nutrients. Ground beef is also:

  • a complete source of high-quality protein
  • an excellent source of zinc and iron
  • a good source of energy-producing B vitamins

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store leftover skillet enchiladas?

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container after they’ve cooled, and then store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, freeze leftovers for up to 3 months when stored in a freezer-safe container.

What are some good red enchilada sauces to buy?

We love the Siete brand red enchilada sauce as well as Old El Paso enchilada sauce. We also have a recipe for easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce made from tomato paste, broth, and simple pantry spices.

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Recipe Notes From Dietitian Jess

Registered Dietitian Jess developed this recipe and she has these tips to share:

  • Flour tortillas can be used in place of corn tortillas, if you don’t need this recipe to be gluten-free
  • To reduce the sodium content, use no salt added canned black beans and our Easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce in place of canned sauce.
  • You can save time by chopping the zucchini, bell pepper, and onions ahead of time. Store the prepped veggies in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • This recipe is delicious served with fresh cilantro, sour cream, diced avocado or homemade guacamole, and lime wedges.

Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (8)

Recipe

★★★★★5 from 28 reviews

Beef Skillet Enchiladas

Get all those enchilada flavors you love, but in a recipe that takes half the time. Made in one pan, this weeknight dinner is high in protein and features so many nutritious ingredients, including lean ground beef, veggies, black beans, and corn. Plus, it’s budget friendly, gluten free, and flexible.

Prep: 15 minsCook: 25 minsTotal: 40 mins

Pin for LaterRate recipe

Print Recipe

Servings: 8 cups (6 servings) 1x

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • ½ teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced small (about ¾1 cup)
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced small (about 1 ¾2 cups)
  • 6 green onions, thinly sliced, white/light green and dark green parts separated
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cups (15 to 16 oz) jarred or canned red enchilada sauce*
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn (fire roasted or regular)
  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges (about 8 ounces total)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
  • For garnish: green onion tops, fresh cilantro, sour cream, diced tomatoes, diced or sliced avocado

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425℉. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, spray with cooking spray then add oil and swirl to coat. Add the ground beef, bell pepper, zucchini, and green onions (white/light green part). Break up the meat using a spatula and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink and the zucchini is tender.
  2. Turn off heat. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Stir well to combine.
  3. Gently fold in the corn tortilla wedges so that the tortillas are well coated with sauce and are dispersed evenly throughout the meat mixture.
  4. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Remove skillet from the oven and sprinkle with sliced green onions (dark parts), cilantro, tomatoes, and avocado. Serve with dollops of sour cream, if desired.

Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.

Notes

*For red enchilada sauce, we like Siete enchilada sauce (1 jar) or Old El Paso red enchilada sauce (you’ll need 1 ½ 10-ounce cans). Or, you could make our easy Homemade Enchilada Sauce, which comes together quickly from simple pantry spices, tomato paste, and broth. You can also use green enchilada sauce instead.

May use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas, if you don’t need a recipe that is gluten free.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 371
  • Fat: 12 g
  • (Sat Fat: 5 g)
  • Sodium: 882 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 39 g
  • (Fiber: 8 g
  • Sugar: 5 g)
  • Protein: 31 g
  • Cholesterol: 62 mg

Dietary

Egg-FreeGluten-freeNut-free

© The Real Food Dietitians

Recipe By: Jessica Beacom

More Mexican-Inspired Ground Beef Recipes

Healthy Taco Casserole (Easy and Budget Friendly)Taco Stuffed Peppers (Gluten Free and Veggie-Packed)Slow Cooker Beef and Bean ChiliEasy Beef Taco Bowl with Salsa Ranch

See More Ground Beef Recipes

The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.

This is a sponsored post. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating high-quality recipes and content for you.

For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (18)Sheri Gropper says

    Really enjoyed making this recipe. I modified it by adding mushrooms and broccoli, and I used Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce. I sprinkled sliced black olives on top before baking. It was so flavorful, healthy and easy!

    Reply

    • Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (19)Stacie Hassing says

      Sounds spectacular Sheri! Thanks for the great feedback and 5-star review!

      Reply

  2. Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (20)Heidi says

    Delicious and easy. Family loved it. I subbed pinto beans for black as my family likes them better (aka less complaining)

    Reply

    • Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (21)Stacie Hassing says

      Perfect Heidi! Thank you for sharing this feedback with us. We appreciate the 5-star review!

      Reply

Older Comments

Beef Skillet Enchiladas (Easy One-Pan Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to non soggy enchiladas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Assemble the remaining enchiladas. Then spread any remaining sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas, followed by any extra cheese. Bake. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside.

How do you keep beef enchiladas from getting soggy? ›

2. Treat Your Tortillas Right. The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Roll up tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and scatter over the reserved cheese. Grease a large sheet of foil with cooking spray or oil and cover the baking dish, grease side down.

Do you put oil or sauce on enchiladas first? ›

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and flour and whisk together to make a paste, cooking for one minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, cilantro, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes.

How to tell when enchiladas are done? ›

Wrap tortillas tightly around filling, placing seam side down in baking dish. Top enchiladas with enchilada sauce and remaining cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

How do you Dr up enchilada sauce? ›

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better? ›

To make your canned enchilada sauce taste homemade, grab some butter, a little flour, and some chicken stock. This trifecta of ingredients infuses a canned enchilada sauce with a satisfyingly thick texture and a rich, savory flavor.

Are enchiladas better with red or green sauce? ›

If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Yellow corn tortillas have a stronger corn flavor, whereas white tortillas have an almost oaky, nutty flavor when toasted. I personally like white tortillas for tacos and enchiladas, and use yellow ones for fried tortillas and corn chips when I want that corn taste to really come through.

How do you make enchiladas crispy and not soggy? ›

Bake the enchiladas before adding sauce

Another thing you can try is baking your enchiladas after filling them until the tortillas are just be-ginning to get brown and starting to crisp. Then, add your cheese and sauce on top and bake them again until the cheese is melted.

How do you make enchiladas not soggy with flour tortillas? ›

You have to dip them in hot cooking oil before filling and rolling them. Don't put so much sauce on them that it soaks the enchiladas. And importantly, don't leave them in the oven too long so that the tortillas get mushy.

How do you keep corn tortillas soft for enchiladas? ›

Frying your tortillas in a hot skillet is another great way to soften your tortillas. Add enough oil, like avocado oil or olive oil, to cover the bottom of your skillet. Add tortillas when the oil starts to bubble and cook each side of the tortilla for 10-20 seconds. Use a paper towel to remove excess oil.

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