This enchilada-style ground beef burrito recipe is packed with seasoned ground beef, smothered in rich red enchilada sauce, and loaded with gooey melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food. Perfect as an easy weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing meal, this beef burrito recipe combines bold Mexican flavors with hearty ingredients for a delicious and satisfying dish the whole family will love.
Tacos and burritos instantly make me feel nostalgic, even though we didn’t have them much growing up. I actually hated ground beef because of the texture, and my mom was so patient! She never forced me to eat while I quietly melted cheese on a tortilla instead.
My biggest tip? Don’t stress about making separate meals or battles at the table. My parents just kept offering and waiting for me to try new things, and I turned out fine. Now, I offer my kids lots of toppings to make things less “gross” (looking at you, Grayson, and your avocado skepticism). I ask them to try one bite, then enjoy what they like, without catering to picky tastes every time. Mealtime should be peaceful and fun for everyone.
I’ve completely changed my mind about ground beef, and this recipe might be my favorite. These burritos are giant, filled with beef simmered in Dr. Pepper and Better Than Bouillon, and covered in a rich mix of red enchilada sauce, beef stock, and lots of melted cheese.
What are Enchilada Style Burritos?
Enchilada-style burritos are burritos that are covered in a red or green chile sauce and lots of cheese and then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted. They are also known as smothered burritos.
What Ingredients Do You Need for This Enchilada Style Ground Beef Burrito Recipe?
This recipe takes a few ingredients to make the ground beef extra flavorful and to take the sauce on top to the next level.
Ground Beef Filling
- Ground Beef: The main filling. Choose something with a little fat so it stays flavorful.
- Taco Seasoning: A wonderful mix of chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and oregano. Adds that classic, bold flavor everyone loves.
- Better than Beef Bouillon: My go-to for a big boost of rich flavor.
- Dr Pepper: My little secret, but it adds the best little hint of sweetness.
- Water: Just helps everything cook together nicely.
Sauce
- Butter: Starts the sauce with a rich, smooth base.
- Flour: Thickens it up so it sticks to the burritos just right.
- Beef Stock: Gives it a deep, savory flavor.
Frito pie casserole is the large scale, crowd-friendly version of walking tacos; seasoned taco meat with beans topped with melted cheese and crunchy corn chips. If you want to make it a meal in one, top as you would a taco with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro!
Frito Pie Casserole
I’m sure you’re familiar with walking tacos which are sometimes known as Frito pie. This is the version you make when you want to feed a crew and don’t feel like bothering with a bunch of little snack-sized bags of corn chips.
With all the irresistible qualities of a walking taco tucked in a convenient casserole format, this meal pulls together in a flash. If you’re lucky enough to have three or four cups of our leftover Best Taco Meat, you’re even closer to getting dinner on the table.
Frito Chili Pie
While taco meat is usually our protein of choice for this casserole, you can easily swap in three or four cups of your favorite chili. Whether you choose Hearty Pepper Chili, Spicy Five Bean Steak and Sausage Chili, or even Vegetarian Four Bean and Chipotle Chili, everyone at your table will love this dish!
This Frito pie casserole recipe is as easy as one-two-three. It’s just a matter of layering the ingredients in your baking dish and sending it on a quick trip through the oven.
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