Cheesy Enchilada Casserole with Tortilla Chips: Quick Weeknight Meal

This easy family dinner recipe feeds a crowd!

If you’re searching for quick, easy, and delicious dinner ideas, this baked enchilada casserole is a perfect choice. It comes together fast, uses simple pantry ingredients, and is always a hit with families — even picky eaters. The combination of beef, enchilada sauce, chips, salsa, and cheese bakes into a comforting dish that tastes just like traditional enchiladas without the fuss of rolling tortillas.

During baking, the tortilla chips soften as they absorb the sauce and cheese, creating a pleasant, almost-tortilla texture. I like to top mine with sour cream and fresh produce such as diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, avocado, or jalapeños. Serve alongside Spanish rice or beans if you want a heartier meal.

Step 1Start by sautéing the onion in a large skillet until soft, then add and brown the ground beef. While the meat cooks, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2Break the tortilla chips into the bag or directly into the baking dish. Reserve about 2 cups of the shredded cheese to sprinkle on top later. Add the chips, enchilada sauce, salsa, beef mixture, and most of the cheese to the prepared dish.

Step 3Use your hands to mix everything together, making sure the chips are broken and evenly coated with sauce. Press the mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle the reserved cheese evenly across the top. Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

It really is that simple. Baking tortilla chips with sauce and cheese gives them the familiar flavor and texture of enchiladas without the rolling step. Finish with your preferred toppings and enjoy.

Lazy Enchiladas (super easy dinner idea!)

Looking for a quick family dinner? This Mexican-inspired casserole uses just a few inexpensive ingredients and delivers big flavor. It’s an excellent last-minute option for busy weeknights.

Course: Main Course

Keyword: budget friendly, casserole, easy dinner, enchiladas, family meal, main dish, mexican

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion (chopped)
• 1 (12oz) bag tortilla chips
• 1 (28oz) can red enchilada sauce (large)
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 (32oz) bag Mexican cheese blend (large bag)

Instructions

• Sauté the chopped onion in a large skillet until soft. Add the ground beef and brown; draining is optional.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Break up the tortilla chips while still in the bag, if desired. Add the chips, enchilada sauce, salsa, cooked beef mixture, and most of the cheese into the baking dish, reserving about 2 cups of cheese for the top.
• Mix everything by hand until well combined and evenly distributed. Press into an even layer and sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Serve with toppings such as sour cream, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, avocado, jalapeños, or chives.

Notes

• If preferred, mix everything together in a large bowl first, then transfer to the baking dish to avoid extra handling in the pan.
• Customize freely: try green enchilada sauce, add black beans or corn, or swap in shredded chicken or rotisserie meat for a different variation.
• This casserole also works with frozen taquitos for a different shortcut version.