Texas-Style Beef and Bean Enchiladas
Indulge in these sumptuous Texas-Style Beef and Bean Enchiladas, brimming with flavor and heartiness that will bring smiles to any dinner table! Packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, zesty tomatoes, and an array of vibrant peppers, these enchiladas are a comforting twist on a classic favorite. The homemade sauce, combining the warmth of chili powder and cumin, ties all the elements together in a delightful wrap. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight meal, serve these enchiladas with your choice of sides like rice, fresh guacamole, and crunchy corn chips for a complete feast. Don’t let the steps intimidate you; this dish is surprisingly simple to prepare and so rewarding to enjoy!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (Cooked and browned)
Black Beans or Texas Ranch Style Beans
1 (15 ounce) can (Drained)
Diced Tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (Drained)
Fresh Poblano Peppers or Diced Green Chilies
1/2 cup (Finely diced (or use canned))
White Onions or Yellow Onion
1/2 cup (Finely diced)
Crushed Garlic
2 cloves (Minced)
Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup (Shredded)
Salt and Pepper
to taste (To season)
Whole Wheat or Corn Tortillas
12-15 (8-inch) (For filling)
Hot Water
2 1/4 cups (Used for sauce)
Tomato Paste
1 (6 ounce) can (For sauce)
Margarine or Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted for sauce)
Flour
2 tablespoons (Used for thickening sauce)
Red Chili Powder
5 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, combine the ground beef, diced onions, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, poblano peppers (or canned chilies), and the black or Texas ranch style beans. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer while you prepare the sauce, stirring occasionally.
4
In a medium bowl, whisk together hot water, tomato paste, margarine (or butter), flour, red chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until the margarine is melted and the sauce is smooth.
5
Add 1/2 cup of the sauce to the beef mixture, stirring to combine, and turn off the heat.
6
Take each tortilla and dip it into the enchilada sauce, ensuring it's fully coated. Place the soaked tortilla on a clean surface.
7
Spoon about 1 serving of the meat mixture along one end of the tortilla and roll it up tightly. Make sure the open end is on the bottom to keep them sealed. Repeat this process with all tortillas.
8
Once all tortillas are rolled and placed in a greased baking dish, pour the remaining beef mixture and sauce evenly over the top of the rolled enchiladas.
9
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
10
For easy serving, slice the enchiladas in half lengthwise within the baking dish. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, and corn chips.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Texas-Style Beef and Bean Enchiladas?
They are a hearty Tex-Mex dish featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, tomatoes, and peppers wrapped in tortillas and topped with a homemade sauce and melted cheese.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe requires one pound of ground beef, which should be cooked and browned.
What kind of beans work best for these enchiladas?
You can use one 15-ounce can of either black beans or Texas ranch style beans, making sure they are drained.
Can I use green chilies instead of poblano peppers?
Yes, you can use either half a cup of finely diced fresh poblano peppers or canned diced green chilies.
What type of tortillas should I use?
The recipe recommends using 12 to 15 8-inch tortillas, either whole wheat or corn.
How is the beef filling prepared?
Brown the ground beef with onions, garlic, salt, and pepper, then stir in the drained tomatoes, peppers, and beans to simmer.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How do I make the homemade enchilada sauce?
Whisk together hot water, tomato paste, margarine or butter, flour, and spices until the sauce is smooth and the fat is melted.
Why are the tortillas dipped in sauce before filling?
Dipping the tortillas ensures they are fully coated in flavor and stay moist during the rolling and baking process.
How much sauce goes into the meat mixture?
Add half a cup of the prepared enchilada sauce into the beef and bean mixture before filling the tortillas.
How do I keep the enchiladas from unrolling?
Place the rolled tortillas in the baking dish with the open end facing down to keep them sealed.
What do I do with the leftover beef and sauce?
Pour any remaining beef mixture and sauce evenly over the top of the rolled enchiladas in the baking dish.
How long do the enchiladas bake?
Bake them covered with foil for 15 minutes, then for another 5 minutes uncovered after adding cheese.
When is the cheese added to the dish?
The shredded cheese is added after the first 15 minutes of baking, then returned to the oven to melt.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
You can use one cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
Can I use butter instead of margarine for the sauce?
Yes, two tablespoons of either margarine or butter can be used to make the sauce.
What thickening agent is used for the sauce?
Two tablespoons of flour are used to help thicken the enchilada sauce.
What spices are needed for the sauce seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with red chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Can I use yellow onion instead of white onion?
Yes, half a cup of either finely diced white onion or yellow onion is suitable for this recipe.
How many garlic cloves are used for the meat?
The recipe calls for two cloves of minced crushed garlic to be cooked with the beef.
What is the best way to serve these enchiladas?
Slice the enchiladas in half lengthwise within the baking dish for easy serving and garnish with your favorite toppings.
What garnishes go well with this dish?
Popular garnishes include sour cream, guacamole, and crunchy corn chips.
Is it necessary to drain the tomatoes and beans?
Yes, both the diced tomatoes and the beans should be drained to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
How much red chili powder is in the sauce?
The sauce uses five teaspoons of red chili powder for its signature flavor.
Can I use pre-minced garlic?
Yes, as long as it equates to approximately two cloves of crushed garlic.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the instructions specify placing the rolled tortillas into a greased baking dish.
What size tortillas are used?
The recipe calls for 8-inch tortillas.
Should the sauce be smooth?
Yes, mix the sauce ingredients until the margarine is melted and the texture is completely smooth.
Is the dish covered while baking?
The dish is covered with aluminum foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to retain moisture.