Why You’ll Love these Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef
Every food lover needs these Pizza Enchiladas in their weeknight dinner rotation.
You’re getting two comfort foods in one delicious dish—pizza flavors wrapped in tortillas, baked to melty perfection.
What’s not to love? These enchiladas come together quickly, perfect for those nights when you’re craving something hearty but don’t want to fuss.
The combination of seasoned ground beef, gooey cheese, and zesty pizza sauce will have your family scraping their plates clean.
Plus, you can customize them with your favorite pizza toppings.
Mushrooms? Olives? Extra cheese? Go wild, friends.
Your taste buds will thank you.
What Ingredients are in Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef?
For these mouthwatering pizza enchiladas, we’re bringing together the best of Italian and Mexican cuisine in one delicious dish. Think of it as the ultimate fusion comfort food – all those pizza flavors you love, wrapped up in soft tortillas and baked to cheesy perfection.
The ingredients list isn’t complicated, and you probably have many of these items in your pantry already.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 ½ cups pizza sauce, divided
- 6 large flour tortillas (8-inch)
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped regular pepperoni
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter for greasing the dish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters but don’t stress too much. Use whatever ground beef you prefer – 80/20 works great for flavor, but leaner options are fine too.
For the cheeses, pre-shredded works in a pinch, but freshly shredded mozzarella melts much better. And while the recipe calls for pepperoni, feel free to swap in your favorite pizza toppings – mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or even pineapple (yes, I went there).
The beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it’s to whatever you have on hand or whatever your family loves.
How to Make these Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef
Let’s start by getting that hearty filling ready. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef along with 1 small finely chopped onion. This should take about 5-7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions have softened and become translucent.
Now, time to bring in those pizza flavors! Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and if you’re feeling a little spicy, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Give everything a good stir to coat the meat in those aromatics. Don’t forget to drain off any excess fat—nobody wants soggy enchiladas, right?
Once drained, stir in ¾ cup of pizza sauce, making sure every bit of meat is coated in that tomatoey goodness.
With the filling ready, it’s time to assemble! Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter.
Lay out your 6 flour tortillas and divide the beef mixture among them, spooning a few tablespoons onto each. Sprinkle some of the 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each, along with a few pieces from your ½ cup of pepperoni.
Now for the rolling technique—fold the sides in and roll them up tightly, placing each enchilada seam-side down in your prepared baking dish. Once all six are snugly lined up, pour the remaining pizza sauce over the top, then sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
That cheese will create the most gorgeous golden crust in the oven, the kind that makes everyone fight for the corner pieces.
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown slightly at the edges. The tortillas will get just a bit crispy on the exposed edges while staying soft and chewy where they’ve soaked up sauce.
When you pull this masterpiece out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes—trust me, molten cheese burns are no joke. Before serving, sprinkle with some fresh chopped basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness that cuts through all that savory richness.
And there you have it—pizza enchiladas that combine the best of two comfort food worlds in one casserole dish.
Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef Substitutions and Variations
While the classic version of these pizza enchiladas is absolutely mouthwatering, one of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it can be with just a few simple swaps.
You can easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Not feeling the beef? Try Italian sausage for extra flavor, or go vegetarian with black beans and corn.
For a different cheese profile, swap in cheddar, pepper jack, or an Italian blend.
Need a gluten-free option? Corn tortillas work beautifully here.
Want to change up the flavor profile? Use taco seasoning instead of Italian for a Mexican-Italian fusion that’ll make your taste buds dance.
What to Serve with Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef
When these savory pizza enchiladas hit your dinner table, you’ll want side dishes that complement their rich, hearty flavors without competing for attention.
A simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette balances the cheesy goodness perfectly. Think crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
Garlic bread? Always a winner. Who doesn’t love extra carbs with their carbs?
Roasted vegetables make an excellent healthy option – broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini seasoned with just salt and pepper let the enchiladas remain the star.
For something invigorating, try a light fruit salad with citrus elements to cut through the richness.
Final Thoughts
These pizza enchiladas bring together the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines in one irresistible dish. The savory ground beef filling, wrapped in soft flour tortillas and smothered in pizza sauce, creates a flavor explosion that’ll have your family requesting this meal again and again.
Don’t you love recipes that combine familiar favorites in unexpected ways? This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving something comforting yet different.
The melty cheese, spicy pepperoni, and hearty beef make each bite absolutely satisfying.
Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef with 1 small finely chopped onion for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat the meat and then drain any excess fat.
- Stir in ¾ cup of the 1 ½ cups pizza sauce, ensuring the meat is well coated with the tomatoey goodness.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter.
- Lay out the 6 large flour tortillas and evenly divide the beef mixture among them. Add a few tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of mini pepperoni slices onto each tortilla.
- Roll up the tortillas tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Place each rolled enchilada seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the remaining pizza sauce over the enchiladas, then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown around the edges, with the tortilla edges crisping slightly while remaining soft where sauced.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving.
