How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe

Cooking enchiladas does not have to be hard!  You can’t go wrong with tortillas, meat, cheese and an enchilada sauce.  However that you decide to make these Mexican food favorites,  they will be a hit at your next family meal! “How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe”

This Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe has been on my families’ dinner menu for years. While I was typing up this post I was trying to remember how and when that this recipe came to our Dinner table. And, I can’t remember. I have baked these enchiladas for so many years that I can’t remember not eating them.

I believe that all families probably do this. And that is, that we are creatures of habit and we tend to cook and fix the same meals over and over. While they may be new to some, but they are the same go-to meals for others. This is one of those meals that I try to cook every 2 weeks, but sometimes I make them once a week.

Plus, this is a meal in which I always have leftovers. I will take the leftovers, after they have baked and cooled, place them in an airtight container and place them in the freezer. Then, they are ready to be pulled out and microwaved.

The flour tortillas taste perfect have being frozen and reheated. Gerald, my husband, takes his lunch to work and these are an easy meal for him to grab in the mornings before work.

Another great idea with this recipe is that I’ll make these ahead of time and bake later in the day. Sometimes, in the mornings I’ll have some free time, so I’ll brown my ground beef and roll these enchiladas up. Then, when it is time for Dinner I’ll place my dish into the oven and this makes for less hassle at Dinnertime.

“How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe”

How do I make Ground Beef Enchiladas (scroll down for recipe card)

• ground beef – optional taco seasoning, choose either a taco seasoning packet or make your own taco seasonings (recipe down below)
• refried beans or black beans
• flour tortillas
• Old El Paso red enchilada sauce, green enchilada sauce or a homemade enchilada sauce
• shredded cheese
• toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole

How do I make taco seasoning?

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

There are a couple different types of enchilada sauces. I make these enchiladas with both red enchilada sauce or green chiles enchilada sauce. Usually, it depends on what is in stock at my local supermarket. Sometimes, Aldis has green enchilada sauce and sometimes they don’t.

Wal-mart sells both sauces and most local supermarkets sell both types of sauces. So, it is really a preference to which one you bake with, but be sure to try both.  You can also make homemade enchilada sauce.  

What favorite toppings go on enchiladas?

• shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese or colby jack cheese
• sour cream
• salsa
• guacamole
• chopped bell pepper
• chopped red onion or yellow onion 
• green onions
• fresh cilantro
• sliced jalapeno peppers

Side dishes can also be added to this enchilada meal. A great side dish that my family enjoys is Spanish rice. My daughter, Kylee, has created a great recipe for spanish rice. It’s super quick and only has 2 ingredients!

“How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe”

How long do I cook enchiladas in the oven at 350 f oven?

When cooking enchiladas the oven temperature can vary a little bit.  I have cooked enchiladas at 350 degrees f, 400 degrees f and 450 degrees f.  Usually, it depends on how big of a hurry that I am in to get Dinner on the table, lol!   However, at whatever oven temperature that you choose a great way to know if your enchiladas are ready is to look at your cheese.  I like my cheese really melted and almost brown.  

• 350 degrees f  20-25 minutes 
• 400 degrees f  20-25 minutes
• 450 degrees f 15-20 minutes – of course when cooking at a higher temperature you will need to keep an eye on your enchiladas

Remember that your enchilada fillings are already cooked, so you only cook the enchiladas until the cheese is melted.

How to Make Homemade Enchiladas? (scroll down for printable recipe card)

1. Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add taco seasonings.
2. Take a spatula and crumble up the ground beef
3. Once the ground beef is browned set the skillet to the side
4. Heat oven to 350° degrees f
5. Place a tortilla on a plate
6. Spread the refried beans on to the center of each tortilla with a spoon or spatula
7. Spoon browned ground beef onto the top of the refried beans
8. Roll tortillas
9. Spray the casserole pan with a cooking spray
10. Place seam side down the tortilla into a greased baking dish
11. Pour Red enchilada sauce or Green Chile enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Both enchilada sauces are good. Some of my family prefers red and some green, so I’ll take turns making these enchiladas with red or green enchilada sauce
12. Sprinkle cheese over enchiladas
13. Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven
14. Bake enchiladas until cheese is melted, approximately 20-25 minutes
15. Remove finished dish from the oven and serve with your favorite side dishes.

“How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe”

How to make the best chicken enchilada recipe!

This recipe can be so easy!  Of course, you can always make this delicious recipe with any form of chicken breasts.  HOWEVER, the easiest way to make these enchiladas is to choose between canned chicken breast, leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store.  

1. Choose already cooked chicken breasts or cook your chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165 f degrees.
2. Heat oven to 350° degrees f
3. Place a tortilla on a plate
4. Spread the refried beans on to the center of each tortilla with a spoon or spatula
5. Spoon cooked shredded chicken onto the top of the refried beans
6. Roll tortillas
7. Spray the casserole pan with a cooking spray
8. Place seam side down the tortilla into a greased baking dish
9. Pour Red enchilada sauce or Green Chile enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Both enchilada sauces are good. Some of my family prefers red and some green, so I’ll take turns making these enchiladas with red or green enchilada sauce
10. Sprinkle cheese over enchiladas
11. Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven
12. Bake enchiladas until cheese is melted, approximately 20-25 minutes
13. Remove finished dish from the oven and serve with your favorite side dishes.

What side dishes go with a beef enchilada casserole or easy chicken enchiladas?  Or what to serve with Mexican food?

These side dishes will go with any Mexican food.  

• refried beans, pinto beans or Mexican black beans
• Spanish rice or Mexican rice
• tortilla chips and salsa
• guacamole and chips
• cilantro lime rice
• pineapple salsa
• garden salad
• Mexican street corn
• pico de gallo
• salsa verde 
• Mexican salad
• Mexican coleslaw

Homemade Enchiladas Q&A’s!

Do I make enchiladas with corn tortillas or flour tortillas?  Some great recipes are made with flour tortillas and some use corn tortillas.  Either type of tortillas will work, it is a personal preference.  

What kind of meat goes in Mexican enchiladas?  Any type of meat that you prefer, like beef, ground beef, chicken, turkey or pork.

Does chicken broth go in enchiladas?  No, if you choose to make your chicken enchiladas with canned chicken breast, you will need to drain off the chicken broth then add it to a large bowl and shred your chicken breast.  

Can I make my own enchilada sauce?  Yes, you can make homemade sauce with tomato paste, broth, flour and spices.

What are enchiladas verdes made of?  Enchiladas verdes is a homemade green enchilada sauce.  It consists of tomatillos, onions, chilis, garlic, lime, broth, cilantro and sour cream.

What is an enchilada?   The enchilada is a famous Mexican recipe.  It is a tortilla with a beef mixture or chicken mixture rolled up and the rolled tortillas are placed in a casserole dish.  Enchilada sauce is poured over the top of the enchiladas and shredded cheese is then sprinkled over the sauce.  Then, the bake enchiladas for 20-25 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit.  

How do I store leftover enchiladas?  To store leftover enchiladas you can add a sheet of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the the top of the casserole dish or you can add the leftovers to an airtight container and place into the refrigerator.  Leftovers will stay good up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

What do I do with leftover enchilada sauce or remaining enchilada sauce?   Freeze!  A lot of the time I will buy enchilada sauce in bulk and I will separate the sauce into 1 cup servings in freezer bowls.  Then, when I am ready to make enchiladas I will take 2 cups enchilada sauce from the freezer to thaw.  The enchilada sauce will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

​How to re-heat frozen enchiladas?  Leftover enchiladas can be reheated a couple different ways.  1.  Remove lid from container and place the container of frozen enchiladas into the microwave and reheat.  2.  Remove the leftover enchiladas onto a plate and then re-heat in the microwave.  3.  Place leftovers into a baking dish and re-heat in the oven.  

What kind of cheese is in enchiladas?  What are the best cheeses to use for cheese enchiladas?  Choose your favorite type of cheese, for example:  sharp cheddar, Mexican cheese blend, Monterey jack cheese, or Queso.  The most popular cheese for Mexican food is a Mexican cheese blend.  And of course, extra cheese is a must!!!  LOL

Can I eat enchiladas the next day?  Yes, as long as the enchiladas have been refrigerated, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

What are cheese enchiladas?  Cheese enchiladas are the best!   Cheese enchiladas are enchiladas without the meat, so you will add extra cheese to the inside of the tortillas instead of any type of meat, then pour green chilies enchilada sauce or red enchilada sauce over the tortillas, plus extra cheese on top and bake in the oven at 350 degrees f.  

Why do I have soggy enchiladas?  The enchilada sauce can make the bottoms of the flour tortillas soggy if you add too much sauce.  It’s a personal preference on what is too much sauce.  The only change that you can make to prevent this, is to add just enough sauce to cover the tops of the enchiladas.  

​For enchiladas, meat or no meat is a personal preference.  A good idea is to make both types and see which one of your own enchiladas that your entire family likes to eat.  

This is a great option for the next time you have a family meal and I believe that the whole family will fall in love with these enchiladas, whether they be beef enchiladas or chicken enchiladas or cheese enchiladas, LOL!!!

Try some of our other Recipes!

• Homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo
• Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Super Easy 4 Ingredient Chicken & Dumplings recipe with big biscuits
• Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich with sweet chili mayo
• Buffalo Chicken Street Tacos with cilantro lime ranch
• Easy Italian Seasoned Chicken Breasts
• Ginger & Pineapple Chicken
• Cinnamon Tortilla Sopapillas

“How Long to Cook Enchiladas in the Oven: Easy Recipe”