If you love enchiladas and nachos, this Beef Enchilada Nacho Skillet is going to be your new favorite dinner! Imagine all the delicious flavors of enchiladas but with the fun, crunchy vibe of nachos. It’s hearty, cheesy, and full of textures you’ll love. The taco seasoning, jalapeño, and enchilada sauce give this skillet a perfect balance of spice and flavor. It’s also easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner, and fun to eat everyone can scoop up the cheesy goodness with crispy tortilla chips. Let’s get cooking!
Method
Cook the Ground Beef
To start, preheat your oven to 400°F. Heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat in a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the ground beef and cook it for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir the beef occasionally, cooking until it’s almost fully browned and the onions have softened. After the beef is cooked, add the taco seasoning, jalapeño, and garlic. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to allow the spices to toast and the flavors to develop. This step will infuse the beef with a nice, flavorful kick.
Add the Rice and Enchilada Sauce
Next, pour in the enchilada sauce, water, and rice into the skillet. Stir everything together until the rice is evenly coated in the sauce and seasoning. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 16-17 minutes. The rice should absorb most of the liquid and become tender while the beef mixture continues to cook. Be sure to check the rice halfway through to ensure it’s not drying out. If necessary, you can add a little more water to keep the rice cooking evenly.
Assemble the Skillet
Once the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, remove the skillet from the heat and take off the lid. Stir in the chopped Italian parsley and half of the shredded cheese. Mix everything well so the cheese starts to melt into the beef and rice mixture. Then, gently press the tortilla chips into the beef mixture, making sure they get slightly submerged but still retain their crunch. After that, top everything with the remaining cheese, spreading it evenly across the skillet for a nice cheesy layer on top.
Bake and Serve
Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake it for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Once the cheese has melted and the dish looks golden, remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with diced avocado, additional jalapeños (if desired), and more parsley for a fresh touch. Serve immediately, and enjoy your delicious Beef Enchilada Nacho Skillet!
Necessary Tools
- 10-12 inch cast iron skillet
- Measuring spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Stirring spoon
- Oven for baking
- Measuring cups
Beef Enchilada Nacho Skillet
Cuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the Beef Enchilada Skillet:
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (I used @sietefoods)
1 jalapeño, seeded & finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, mashed
1 15oz jar red enchilada sauce (I used @sietefoods)
2 1/2 cups water
1 cup rice (I used long grain)
1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
2 1/2 cups tortilla chips (sturdy ones!)
1 avocado, diced
Directions
- Cook the Ground Beef
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. In a cast iron skillet, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and onions, cooking for about 5 minutes or until the meat is almost fully cooked and the onions have softened. Stir in the taco seasoning, jalapeño, and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes. This will give the beef a nice, flavorful kick. - Add the Rice and Enchilada Sauce
Next, pour in the enchilada sauce, water, and rice, stirring everything until the rice is well coated. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 16-17 minutes. The rice should absorb all the liquid and become tender, while the beef mixture continues to cook. - Assemble the Skillet
Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and take off the lid. Stir in the chopped Italian parsley and half of the shredded cheese, mixing well. Then, add the tortilla chips, pressing them down gently so they sink into the beef and rice mixture. Top with the remaining cheese, spreading it evenly across the skillet. - Bake and Serve
Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbly. Once done, remove from the oven and garnish with diced avocado, jalapeños (if desired), and more parsley. Serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- When cooking the ground beef, make sure it’s broken up into small crumbles as it cooks. This will help it mix better with the rice and enchilada sauce.
- Keep an eye on the rice as it simmers to make sure it doesn’t burn. If it seems like it’s absorbing the liquid too quickly, you can add a little extra water.
- Make sure to use sturdy tortilla chips to avoid them becoming soggy during the baking process. You want them to keep their crunch!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of sour cream or guacamole for extra creaminess.
- Add a fresh salad: A simple side salad of greens or a Mexican-style corn salad would pair perfectly with this hearty dish.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap out the ground beef for black beans or vegetarian crumbles for a meatless version.
- Top with extra toppings: Add salsa, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime to boost the flavor.
Fun Fact
Did you know that enchiladas have been a traditional Mexican dish for centuries? The word “enchilada” comes from the Spanish word “enchilar,” meaning “to season or prepare with chili.” It’s no surprise that this dish is packed with bold and spicy flavors, giving it a rich history and popularity across the world!
Conclusion
This Beef Enchilada Nacho Skillet is the ultimate comfort food with all the flavors of enchiladas, nachos, and even tacos combined into one dish! With a creamy, spicy enchilada sauce, crispy tortilla chips, and gooey melted cheese, it’s an easy and fun meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re serving it for dinner or making it for meal prep, this skillet is a crowd-pleaser and can be customized to fit your taste. Give it a try and enjoy every flavorful bite!
