How to Make an Easy Enchilada Casserole

Serve a delectable casserole at your next gathering.

Add some Mexican flavor to your next casserole dinner. You can put together a deceptively easy enchilada casserole that will leave guests lining up for seconds. Casseroles don't have to take two hours to prepare. In less than one hour you can make this tasty dish. Friends and family will be hard pressed to guess that you didn't slave in the kitchen for hours preparing this satisfying meal.

Things You'll Need

• 15-inch by 9-inch by 3-inch baking pan
• Spatula
• Large, deep skillet
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Ladle
• Large spoon
• Cutting board
• Knife
• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 onion
• 28 oz. can of mild red enchilada sauce
• 2 cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. rosemary
• 3/4 tsp. marjoram
• 1 tsp. butter

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the bowls, spatulas, spoons, ladle, butter, tortillas, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, onion and ground beef on the counter on which you will be preparing the casserole. Grease the bottom and sides of the pan or casserole dish, and set it aside.

2. While the oven is preheating, slice the onion into thin slices on a clean cutting board and chop it finely. Scrape the chopped onion into a small bowl and set it aside while you brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet. Drain the grease and rinse, and then set the meat to the side. Saute the onions, rosemary, marjoram, salt and butter in the same skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Add the ground beef to the onions and herbs.

3. In a large bowl, mix the enchilada sauce with the tomato sauce. Pour half the mixture over the ground beef and onions and mix well. Simmer over low heat while you prepare the tortillas.

4. Cover the bottom of the baking pan with six tortillas. Use a ladle to scoop up the ground beef mixture from the skillet and cover the tortillas with it. Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese over the meat. Lay a second layer of tortillas on top and and repeat the steps above using the ground beef and cheese. Add the third and final layer of tortillas, ground beef mixture and shredded cheese.

5. Cover the three layers of tortillas with the remaining enchilada sauce. Place the pan on the center rack in the oven and heat it for 25 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to cool for at least five minutes before serving along with your choice of salad and green vegetable on the side.

Tips & Warnings

• Many prefer a hotter enchilada sauce. Use the sauce that suits your taste buds. Feel free to also add whole kernel corn to the beef and onion mixture.

References

• Cooks.com: Easy Enchilada Recipes