KETO BEEF & CHEESE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need:

• The Savory Beef Filling:
  • 1.5 lbs Ground beef: 80/20 or 85/15 blend works beautifully for flavor. 🥩
  • ½ cup Yellow onion: Finely diced. 🧅
  • 2 cloves Garlic: Minced. 🧄
  • Seasonings: 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. 🧂🌶️
• The Enchilada Base & Low-Carb Alternative:
  • 1 cup Low-carb or Keto-friendly tortillas: Sliced into strips, or kept whole to layer like a lasagna. 🫓
  • 1 ½ cups Red enchilada sauce: Check labels to ensure no sugar is added! 🍅
• The Ultimate Cheesy Crust:
  • 2.5 cups Mexican blend or Cheddar cheese: Shredded (divided for layering and the top). 🧀
• Optional Fresh Toppings:
  • Fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or cubed avocado. 🌿🥑

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep the Oven & Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a standard 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. 🌡️🥘

2. Brown and Season the Beef

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions together until the meat is entirely browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat if desired. Stir in the minced garlic and your seasonings (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper), cooking for 1 more minute until beautifully fragrant. 🥩🧅🌪️

3. Build the Enchilada Layers

• Base: Spread a thin layer of the red enchilada sauce at the very bottom of your greased baking dish. 🍅
• Layer 1: Arrange a layer of your keto tortilla strips over the sauce. 🫓
• Layer 2: Spread half of the seasoned ground beef evenly across the tortillas. 🥩
• Layer 3: Drizzle with more enchilada sauce and scatter 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the beef. 🧀
• Repeat: Lay down another layer of keto tortillas, the remaining ground beef, and another drizzle of sauce. 🏗️

4. Top with Cheese and Bake

Generously scatter the remaining 1.5 cups of shredded cheese across the top to create a heavy, uniform blanket. Pop the casserole into the oven uncovered and bake for 20–25 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cheese on top is beautifully melted, bubbly, and a perfect deep golden brown. ⏲️🔥🧀

5. Cool & Garnish

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly so it scoops beautifully. Top with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or jalapeño slices if desired, and dive in! 🍽️🎉😋

✨ Chef’s Recipe Notes:

• Tortilla-Free Option: If you want to keep this recipe even lower in carbs or entirely grain-free, you can skip the keto tortillas completely! Simply layer the beef, sauce, and cheese directly in the dish, or substitute the tortillas with a layer of sautéed riced cauliflower or sliced zucchini. 🥒
• Make-Ahead Friendly: This casserole is an absolute superstar for meal prep. You can fully assemble the layers a day in advance, wrap it tightly in foil, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready for dinner, just bake it covered for 15 minutes, then uncover for the final 15 minutes until hot and golden! ⏳