Cheesy Tomato Enchilada Bake: A Comforting and Flavorful Mexican-Inspired Casserole

This Cheesy Tomato Enchilada Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired casserole. It features layers of corn tortillas, seasoned ground beef, a tangy tomato sauce, and lots of melted cheese. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that the whole family will love. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck parties, this enchilada bake is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 12-16 corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for an additional 2 minutes to toast the spices.
4. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and diced green chilies to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Place a layer of corn tortillas on top of the sauce, covering the bottom of the dish.
7. Spread half of the remaining tomato sauce mixture over the tortillas.
8. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the sauce.
9. Repeat the layers with tortillas, sauce, and cheese, ending with a layer of cheese on top.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Interesting Facts