Grandma’s Legendary Enchirito Recipe
Grandma’s Legendary Enchirito is a comforting Tex-Mex classic featuring seasoned ground beef and refried beans wrapped in warm flour tortillas, smothered with red enchilada sauce and melted Mexican blend cheese. This hearty baked dish is perfect for family dinners and sure to have everyone licking their plates clean.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 enchiritos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 works best for flavor)
- 1 can (16 oz) refried beans (Rosarita traditional preferred)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade mix)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onions
Assembly and Topping
- 6 medium flour tortillas (warmed to prevent cracking)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (divided)
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce (mild or hot)
- 1/3 cup sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the Filling: Brown 1 lb of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor. Stir in 1 packet taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices. Add 1 can (16 oz) refried beans and mix until combined into a thick paste. Add a tablespoon of water or broth if too dry. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Enchiritos: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Warm 6 medium flour tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds or a dry skillet to prevent cracking. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the beef and bean filling down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of shredded Mexican blend cheese over the filling. Roll tortillas snugly, tucking in ends, and place seam-side down in a 9×13-inch baking dish, arranging in two rows of three.
- Bake and Serve: Pour 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiritos, letting it drizzle down the sides. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and chopped onions over the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are slightly golden. Let rest for 5 minutes to set. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top.
Notes
- Warming the tortillas before assembling prevents them from cracking when rolled.
- Leaving a tablespoon of fat from the beef adds flavor to the filling.
- Letting the filling rest after cooking improves flavor melding.
- You can adjust heat level by choosing mild or hot enchilada sauce.
- Use a 9×13-inch dish to fit all six enchiritos in two rows comfortably.
- Serving with sour cream adds a cool contrast to the spicy, cheesy dish.
Keywords: enchirito, Tex-Mex, ground beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, baked tortillas, Mexican cheese blend
