Beef Enchilada Casserole Freezer Meal Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Prepped and frozen in a freezer-friendly 9x13, our Beef Enchilada Casserole will be on hand for that weeknight when everyone has an activity at the same time in different parts of town. When you lift that first forkful to your lips, you’ll thank yourself.
Gluten Free

One of my go-to dinners at any given Mexican restaurant is enchiladas. There is just something about the flavor of corn tortillas coupled with the deep chili flavor in the sauce that brings heaven to my belly. In fact, I love enchiladas so much I decided it was time to come up with a recipe of my own so I could have all that heavenly flavor right in my own home. Enter today’s recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole.

All of the traditional aspects of enchiladas – tortillas, ground beef, beans, cheese, and scrumptious enchilada sauce – are present. What’s added, though, is a level of convenience like you’ve never known. With four kids, school, homework, and all the after school things, our house is pretty much in a constant state of chaos. I needed the ease of this recipe, and it is just too good to keep to myself.

Prepped and frozen in a freezer-friendly 9×13, our Beef Enchilada Casserole will be on hand for that weeknight when everyone has an activity at the same time in different parts of town. When you lift that first forkful to your lips, you’ll thank yourself. Trust me.

Why You’ll Love this Quick Beef Enchilada Casserole Freezer Meal

  • Kid-Friendly: Mild flavors means this recipe is a win for kids, which makes it a win for mom, too.
  • Customizable: Adding whatever toppings you’d like – sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc. – to make it your own.
  • Easy: With minimal preparation, this recipe is a great option for busy evenings.
Beef Enchilada Casserole Freezer Meal Recipe
Prepped and frozen in a freezer-friendly 9×13, our Beef Enchilada Casserole will be on hand for that weeknight when everyone has an activity at the same time in different parts of town. When you lift that first forkful to your lips, you’ll thank yourself.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Equipment
  • 1 9X13 Casserole dish with a cover
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil
Ingredients
  
  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
  • 19 oz. Enchilada sauce can
  • 1 can Black beans
  • 1 cup Frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 cups Yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup Frozen bell pepper or fresh
  • 6-9 Gluten-Free Tortillas
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
 
Prep/freezer directions
  • Label a 9×13 pan/dish according to your preferred method.
  • Cook ground beef in a skillet, then drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, onion, and bell pepper.
  • Spread a few spoonfuls of the ground beef mixture onto the 9×13 pan. Layer dish as follows: GF Corn Tortillas, ½ beef mixture, ½ cheese, GF corn tortillas, remaining beef mixture, remaining cheese.
  • Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. 
Oven cooking directions:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Remove beef enchilada casserole from freezer and place in preheated oven, covered with aluminum foil. Cook for 40 minutes. 
  • Uncover and cook an additional 35-40 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, allowing to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Dietary Adjustments
Make this recipe: 
Gluten Free: Ensure Enchilada Sauce is GF
Use GF corn tortillas.
Dairy Free: Replace Cheddar Cheese with 1-2 cups Vegan Queso.
Keyword Beef Enchilada Casserole, Beef freezer meals, Beef Recipes, Casserole Dish Recipes, Oven Casseroles
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Equipment Needed to make Easy Freezer Beef Enchilada Casserole

  • 9X13 Casserole dish with a cover
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients for your Make-Ahead Beef Enchilada Casserole

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
  • 19 oz. Enchilada sauce, can
  • 1 can Black beans
  • 1 cup Frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 cups Yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup Frozen bell pepper, or fresh
  • 6-9 Gluten-Free Tortillas
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

How to Make Beef Enchilada Casserole

Prep/freezer directions

  1. Label a 9×13 pan/dish according to your preferred method.
  2. Cook ground beef in a skillet, then drain.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, onion, and bell pepper.
  4. Spread a few spoonfuls of the ground beef mixture onto the 9×13 pan. Layer dish as follows: GF Corn Tortillas, ½ beef mixture, ½ cheese, GF corn tortillas, remaining beef mixture, remaining cheese.
  5. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Oven Cooking directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Remove beef enchilada casserole from freezer and place in preheated oven, covered with aluminum foil. Cook for 40 minutes. 
  3. Uncover and cook an additional 35-40 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven, allowing to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

What to pair with your Freezer-Friendly Beef Enchilada Casserole

Sides:

Desserts:

Mocktails:

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

  • Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is a great substitute for the ground beef in this recipe if you’re looking for a leaner meat option.
  • Riced Cauliflower: Instead of the frozen corn, try riced cauliflower. A lower carb option, it blends nicely with the flavors and other ingredients and adds a vegetable.

Additions:

  • Diced Sweet Potatoes: For added sweetness and a variation of texture, add diced sweet potatoes to the mix. Just roast or boil them until just tender, and then add them to the filling mix.
  • Spinach: A cup of fresh or frozen spinach adds color, nutrients, and a slightly earthy flavor that is complementary to the other ingredients and flavors.

How to Reheat and Store Beef Enchilada Casserole

Best way to store leftover Healthy Beef Enchilada Casserole Freezer Meal

The best way to store your leftover Beef casserole is to allow the recipe to cool completely. This prevents the build up on condensation in your storing device. Once cooled, place the leftover casserole in a airtight container or resealable bag. Make sure you label your leftovers for freshness tracking.

How long will Beef Enchilada Casserole last in the fridge?

Your leftover beef enchilada casserole will remain fresh in fridge for 3-5 days. Make sure to follow the necessary steps to properly cool and store your leftovers to ensure freshness during storage.

Can I freeze Budget Friendly Beef Enchilada Freezer meal?

Yes! Absolutely! Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of your leftovers. To freeze, follow the same procedure as you would to store in the fridge, allow to cool, place desired leftovers in a freezer safe container or bag, label, and store in the freezer for up to three months.

We recommend making this recipe as a raw freezer meal, prepping first, then freezing, then cooking fresh. To do this, cook your ground beef in a skillet, then drain. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, onion, and bell peppers. Then spread a few spoonfuls of mixture onto a 9×13 pan. Then layer the dish as follows, GF Corn Tortillas, ½ beef mixture, ½ cheese, GF corn tortillas, remaining beef mixture, remaining cheese. Then cover, and freeze for up to three months.

How to Reheat Best Beef Enchilada Casserole for Freezing?

The best ways to reheat your beef casserole would be to use the stovetop, oven, or microwave. When using the microwave, reheat in short bursts of 30-60 seconds. Stirring in between each interval.

When using the oven, preheat to 325F. Place on a oven safe plate, then for 15-25 minutes or until heated through.

If you use the stovetop for your reheating, place desired amount of leftovers into a skillet, you may want to use a splash of broth or water to prevent sticking. Then, stir occasionally until your desired temperature has been reached.

Family size Beef Enchilada Casserole Freezer Meal FAQs

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