Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

If you love enchiladas but don’t feel like rolling individual tortillas, this Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole is a delicious alternative.

Made with seasoned ground beef, corn tortillas, refried beans, salsa, corn and melted cheese, it has all those familiar Tex-Mex flavors in an easy, layered casserole.

It’s hearty, satisfying and a family favorite at our house.

I adapted this recipe from a dish called Family Burrito Bake in the Pampered Chef Dinner in Your Deep Covered Baker (affiliate link) cookbook.

The original recipe was already pretty reasonable, but I made a few simple changes to lighten it up. By using extra-lean ground beef, fat-free refried beans and less cheese, I was able to reduce the calories without sacrificing the flavors we enjoy.

That’s my favorite kind of healthy cooking. Nothing complicated. Just a few small adjustments to a recipe that’s already good.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to assemble. Layer everything in a baking dish instead of rolling individual enchiladas.
• Family-friendly. Ground beef, beans, salsa, tortillas and cheese are a winning combination.
• Everyday ingredients. Most are easy to keep on hand in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer.
• Lighter than many traditional casseroles. Made with extra-lean beef, fat-free refried beans and reduced-fat cheese.
• Great for leftovers. Reheats nicely for another meal.
• Easy to customize. Change the protein, salsa or toppings to suit your family’s tastes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this easy ground beef enchilada casserole.

• Extra-lean ground beef: Keeps the casserole hearty and satisfying without excess fat. Lean ground turkey or chicken would also work.
• Onion: Adds flavor to the seasoned beef.
• Garlic: Gives the filling a little extra savory flavor.
• Low-sodium taco seasoning: An easy shortcut for adding Tex-Mex flavor.
• Mexican-style corn: Adds sweetness, color and texture. Regular canned or frozen corn works, too.
• Chunky salsa: Provides tomato flavor, seasoning and moisture. Choose mild, medium or hot depending on your preference.
• Corn tortillas: Used to create layers, much like noodles in a lasagna.
• Fat-free refried beans: Make the casserole creamy, hearty and filling.
• Reduced-fat Mexican-style shredded cheese: Adds the cheesy topping without needing a large amount.

Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, sliced green onions, cilantro, light sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, guacamole or diced avocado.

How to Make Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

This casserole is assembled in layers, much like a Mexican-inspired lasagna.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

Lightly spray a large skillet (affiliate link) with nonstick cooking spray and set it over medium heat.

Add the onion, garlic and ground beef.

Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef, until the meat is browned and the onion has softened.

Drain off any excess fat.

Stir in the taco seasoning, corn and 1 cup of the salsa. Mix well.

Step 3: Prepare the Refried Beans

In a small bowl (affiliate link), stir the refried beans together with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth and easy to spread.

This little step makes assembling the casserole much easier.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Arrange 2 corn tortillas in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cut an additional tortilla as needed to fill any gaps.

Spread one-third of the refried beans over the tortillas.

Top with one-third of the seasoned beef mixture and one-third of the shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers once more.

Arrange the remaining tortillas over the cheese, then top with the remaining beans and beef mixture.

Reserve the remaining salsa and cheese for the final topping.

Step 5: Bake

Cover the baking dish with foil.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until heated through.

Remove the foil and spread the remaining salsa over the casserole.

Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Return to the oven and bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Step 6: Let Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Divide into 8 servings and add your favorite toppings.

Why I Use Corn Tortillas

Although the original recipe was called Family Burrito Bake, I think this dish is better described as an enchilada casserole or Mexican lasagna.

Burritos are typically made with flour tortillas, while enchiladas traditionally use corn tortillas.

I like corn tortillas in this casserole because they hold up nicely to the layers of beans, beef and salsa.

And there’s no rolling required, which makes preparation much easier.

Easy Substitutions and Variations

One of the nice things about this recipe is how flexible it is.

Use ground turkey or chicken. Either works well in place of ground beef.

Try leftover cooked chicken. Shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey makes a convenient shortcut. Simply mix it with the taco seasoning, corn and salsa before assembling.

Make it vegetarian. Skip the beef and use additional beans, sautéed vegetables or a meatless ground-beef substitute.

Use regular corn. If you don’t have Mexican-style corn, regular canned or frozen corn is fine.

Change the salsa. Mild salsa makes a family-friendly casserole, while medium or hot salsa adds more heat.

Add vegetables. Diced bell peppers, zucchini or mushrooms can be cooked with the onion and beef.

Use your favorite cheese. Reduced-fat cheddar, Monterey Jack or a Mexican-style blend all work.

Tips for the Best Enchilada Casserole

Drain the beef well. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.

Thin the refried beans. Adding a little water makes them much easier to spread without disturbing the tortilla layers.

Use a thick, chunky salsa. Very watery salsa can make the casserole too soft.

Don’t skip the resting time. Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes makes it easier to cut and serve.

Choose toppings you enjoy. Fresh tomatoes, green onions, cilantro or a spoonful of Greek yogurt add flavor without much extra work.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

I served this casserole with a big mixed green salad, which made a delicious, satisfying dinner.

Because the casserole already includes beef, beans, corn and tortillas, it really doesn’t need much else.

Other easy side dishes include:

• Simple Tossed Green Salad
• Zucchini, Tomato and Mushroom Skillet
• Sautéed or roasted zucchini
• Cauliflower Rice
• Fresh sliced tomatoes and avocado

I also love the convenience of bagged chopped salads. They’re such an easy way to round out a meal without doing a lot of extra preparation.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

The original recipe has 340 calories—pretty good for such a hearty satisfying Mexican dish. I was able to shave off calories and WW Points by using fat-free refried beans, using reduced-fat cheese and cutting the amount of cheese in half.

According to my calculations this slimmed down version has about 298 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
7 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this Easy Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates

Source: the Pampered Chef Dinner in Your Deep Covered Baker (affiliate link) Cookbook

More Easy Mexican-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy this Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole, here are a few more easy, WW-friendly Mexican-inspired dinners to try:

• Easy Stacked Chicken Enchiladas – Another delicious layered casserole with chicken, black beans, corn tortillas and cheese. No rolling required!
• Easy Instant Pot Taco Casserole – A satisfying one-pot dinner with ground turkey, salsa, black beans and bulgur.
• Slow Cooker Tamale Pie – A family-friendly casserole with seasoned ground meat, corn, tomatoes and a cornmeal base, all made in the slow cooker.
• 5-Ingredient Chicken Enchiladas Verde – An easy dinner made with cooked chicken, salsa verde, tortillas, sour cream and cheese.
• Easy Chicken Enchilada Tacos – A quick way to enjoy enchilada flavors in taco form.
• Skillet Mexican Pizza – A simple Taco Bell-inspired favorite made with tortillas, refried beans, cheese and your choice of toppings.

For even more ideas, browse my collection of Easy WW-Friendly Mexican Recipes.