There’s something wildly satisfying about pulling a bubbling tray of cheesy beef enchiladas from the oven—the spicy aroma, the melty cheese, the smoky chipotle flavor. These Spicy Chipotle Beef Enchiladas bring all that comfort and bold flavor into one easy-to-make dish. Think of it as your go-to easy beef enchiladas recipe, but with a spicy twist that adds serious depth. Whether you're craving something new from your usual ground beef recipes for dinner or planning a crowd-pleasing weeknight meal, this one hits all the right notes.
Spicy Chipotle Beef Enchiladas
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex
Servings 4 2 enchiladas per serving
Large skillet For browning the ground beef and sautéing aromatics.
Medium saucepan To make the chipotle enchilada sauce.
9x13-inch baking dish Ideal for a layered beef enchiladas casserole.
Cheese Grater (if not using pre-shredded cheese)
Blender or immersion blender (optional, for smoothing the sauce)
Foil for covering while baking
For the beef filling
- 1 lb ground beef or substitute with shredded beef or steak for variations like shredded beef enchiladas or a steak enchiladas recipe
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed (optional, for beef and bean enchiladas)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
For the sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce blended or minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
For assembly
- 8 flour tortillas 8-inch
- 2 cups shredded cheese Mexican blend or Monterey Jack
- Fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
- Sour cream or sliced avocado for serving optional
Make the Filling
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in chopped chipotles, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add black beans if using. Cook another 2–3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and remove from heat.
Prepare the Sauce
In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add beef broth, whisking constantly. Stir in tomato paste, minced chipotle, garlic powder, and salt. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Assemble the Enchiladas
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease your baking dish. Spread ½ cup of sauce on the bottom. Fill each tortilla with 2–3 tablespoons of beef filling, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the dish. Once all are assembled, pour remaining sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups of cheese.
Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve
Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with sour cream, avocado slices, or a side of Mexican rice for a full meal.
Perfect Pairings
These spicy chipotle beef enchiladas shine with a crisp Mexican lager or a glass of chilled sangria. On the side, pair with cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, or a fresh corn salad. Want a light contrast to the rich, cheesy beef enchiladas with cheese sauce? Try a simple avocado-tomato salad or tangy pickled red onions.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! Ground beef is perfect for easy ground beef enchiladas and saves time, but if you have leftover pot roast or braised beef, it’s fantastic for shredded beef enchiladas. Steak strips work well too—just slice thinly and sear before using.
2. Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble everything up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Just bake as instructed, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time if cold from the fridge.
3. Can I freeze this?
Yes, it freezes beautifully. Assemble the enchiladas without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
4. What cheese works best?
A mix of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar gives you that classic cheesy beef enchiladas vibe. Want it extra creamy? Add dollops of queso or a drizzle of nacho-style beef enchiladas with cheese sauce before baking.
5. Is it very spicy?
Medium spicy. You can scale the chipotle down to one pepper in the filling and sauce if you're spice-sensitive, or crank it up with a dash of hot sauce.
