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Cheesy Southwest Beef Enchilada Bake with Jalapeño Ranch Sauce


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Enchilada Bake:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (or Ro-Tel), undrained
  • 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1012 corn tortillas, quartered
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

For the Jalapeño Ranch Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (adjust for desired consistency)
  • 12 fresh jalapeños, seeds removed, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping:

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Add Southwest Ingredients

  1. To the browned beef, add black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine.
  2. Sprinkle taco seasoning mix, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
  3. Pour in half of the red enchilada sauce (reserve the other half for later) and stir until everything is well combined. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Layer the Enchilada Bake

  1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Spread a small amount of the remaining enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  3. Place a layer of quartered corn tortillas on the sauce, covering the bottom of the dish.
  4. Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, spreading it out evenly.
  5. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
  6. Repeat with another layer of tortillas, the remaining beef mixture, and the remaining cheese. Finish by drizzling the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top layer of cheese.

Step 4: Bake the Enchilada Dish

  1. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Step 5: Make the Jalapeño Ranch Sauce

  1. While the enchilada bake is in the oven, prepare the jalapeño ranch sauce.
  2. In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, chopped jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend until smooth.
  3. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as desired. Adjust the consistency with additional buttermilk if you prefer a thinner sauce.

Step 6: Serve the Enchilada Bake

  1. Remove the enchilada bake from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
  2. Drizzle or serve the jalapeño ranch sauce on the side, and garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges for an extra burst of freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Protein: 24g