Ina Garten, also known as the Barefoot Contessa, is well-known for creating recipes that are not only delectable but also simple to make, and they are suitable for any event. If you enjoy Mexican food, you are going to adore Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas, which you can get here. These enchiladas have a tasty ground beef filling, are covered in an enchilada sauce that was cooked from scratch, and are finished with melted cheese on top.
They are simple to prepare and are excellent options for a supper with friends during the week or for a get-together on the weekend. In addition, the flavor is maintained even after being refrigerated overnight.
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💓 Why You’ll Love This Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas
The following are some of the reasons why you might enjoy the recipe for beef enchiladas that was developed by Ina Garten:
- The taste: these enchiladas have a thick handmade enchilada sauce, ooey-gooey melting cheese, and savory ground beef stuffed inside of them. Your appetites for Mexican food will be completely satiated thanks to the blend of spices and flavors in this dish.
- The simplicity of the preparation: Ina’s recipe is uncomplicated and easy to understand, and it includes detailed directions that break down each step so that putting together the enchiladas is a breeze. To add even more ease to the process, both the sauce and the filling can be prepared in advance.
- The versatility: these beef enchiladas are an excellent choice for the main course of a dinner with the family or a social gathering with friends. You may also tailor them to your preferences by topping them with the condiments of your choice, such as avocado, sour cream, or cilantro, for example.
- The leftovers: Because this recipe yields such a large quantity of enchiladas, you will have plenty of leftovers for lunch or dinner the following day. They are also capable of being frozen, allowing you to store some away for later use.
What Is Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas Recipe?
Recipe for Beef Enchiladas by Ina Garten is a delectable and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish that contains seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and enchilada sauce wrapped in pliable corn tortillas. The dish is influenced by traditional Mexican cuisine. The dish benefits from the addition of a homemade enchilada sauce, which is not only simple to make but also imparts an additional dimension of taste.
The sauce is included in the recipe. After that, the enchiladas are placed in an oven and roasted until the cheese has melted and begun to bubble. This recipe works as well for an intimate supper at home or for a party with a lot of guests.

🍝 Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade), divided
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
🔪How To Make Beef Enchiladas
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine.
- Add the diced tomatoes, green chiles, and cilantro to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until soft and pliable.
- Spread 1 cup of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture onto each tortilla, roll up tightly, and place seam side down in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned. Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro leaves, if desired.

How Do I Thicken Beef Enchiladas Sauce?
A roux or cornstarch slurry can be used to thicken the sauce for the beef enchiladas. Each technique’s procedures are as follows:
Make sure to alter the seasoning if you use additional roux or cornstarch slurry to achieve a thicker sauce.
💭Recipe Tips
Here are Ina Garten’s beef enchilada cooking suggestions:
- Ina Garten suggests sirloin steak if you want to use high-quality beef in this dish. Remove any visible fat and cut the meat into thin slices for more even cooking.
- Prepare the enchilada sauce in advance; it may be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Time spent making the enchiladas won’t be wasted.
- To make the tortillas easier to work with, warm them up in a dry skillet or the microwave for a few seconds before assembling the enchiladas.
- Avoid the temptation to overstuff the tortillas with the beef filling; doing so will make rolling the tortillas more challenging and may even cause them to break open when eating. As an alternative, use a spoon to spread the beef filling along the middle of each tortilla.
- The enchiladas should be baked in a single layer, so a big baking dish is required. They’ll bake more uniformly and keep their shape better if you do this.
- Sprinkle on a liberal amount of cheese; cheese makes everything better. The shredded cheddar cheese on top of the enchiladas creates a beautifully melty, gooey coating.

🍴 What To Serve With Beef Enchiladas?
The following are some suggestions for accompaniments that go well with beef enchiladas:
🥶 How To Store Leftovers
You may keep any leftover beef enchiladas in the fridge or freezer for up to three days:
- In The Fridge: When you want to preserve the enchiladas in the refrigerator, put them in a container that won’t let air in or wrap them securely in plastic wrap. They have a shelf life of up to three to four days if stored in the refrigerator.
- In The Freezer: If you want to store the enchiladas in the freezer, you can either put them in a container that can be frozen or wrap them firmly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1–2 months without going bad.
- At Room Temperature: Make sure the enchiladas have been allowed to come to room temperature before putting them in the fridge or freezer to store for later use. In order to reduce the likelihood of getting sick from consuming tainted food, it is best to bring them back into the refrigerator after two hours at room temperature.
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
Reheating leftover beef enchiladas can be done in a few different ways, including the following:
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Bake the enchiladas with the foil covering for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is hot throughout.
- Microwave: Put the enchiladas on a platter that is safe for the microwave and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in the microwave. Microwave on high for one to two minutes, or until the food is completely heated.
- Stovetop: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Put the enchiladas in the skillet, cover it, and set it over medium heat. Cook them for around 10 to 15 minutes, turning them over occasionally, or until they are fully heated.
Note: Before serving the enchiladas, you should always check the temperature inside of them to ensure that they are cooked properly. This is true regardless of the cooking method that you pick. For food safety, it needs to attain a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Is Beef Enchiladas Spicy?
Beef enchiladas’ spiciness can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of chili powder or other spices used in the recipe. It’s possible to adjust the spiciness of a dish by adding spices like jalapeos or hot sauce. A recipe may call for a certain amount of chili powder or other spices, but you may always add or subtract to suit your taste.
How Long To Bake Beef Enchiladas?
Beef enchiladas should be roasted completely and the cheese melted in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 20 to 25 minutes. But, the actual baking time will change from oven to oven and from enchilada thickness to enchilada thickness. It’s important to keep an eye on the enchiladas as they bake to prevent them from overcooking or scorching.
Should You Cover Beef Enchiladas While Baking?
To avoid the cheese from burning or drying out during baking, covering the beef enchiladas is a good idea. After 20-25 minutes, cover the dish with foil or a lid to prevent the cheese from burning, and then remove the cover for the final 5-10 minutes of baking.
What Type Of Beef Is Best For Beef Enchiladas?
Lean and soft cuts of beef, like flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak, are ideal for beef enchiladas. Enchiladas often feature ground beef, and to cut down on the dish’s overall fat content, it’s best to use lean ground beef. In the end, the cut of beef selected will be determined by taste and accessibility.
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Ina Garten Beef Enchiladas Nutrition Fact
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 397
- Total Fat 7.1g
- Saturated Fat 2.6g
- Cholesterol 75.3mg
- Sodium 798.1mg
- Potassium 652mg
- Total Carbohydrate 32.1g
- Dietary Fiber 4.6g
- Sugars 1.5g
- Protein 39.2g
- Vitamin A 24.9%
- Vitamin C 18.1%
- Calcium 22.4%
- Iron 11%