Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup Recipe

easy-enchiladas-ground-beef-soup

Introduction

Craving the deep, comforting flavors of classic enchiladas but dreading the lengthy assembly process? We completely understand. Some nights, you simply need a big, warm hug in a bowl that comes together without any fuss. This is precisely why our incredible Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup exists. It captures every bit of that beloved Tex-Mex taste in a single, spoonable dish that promises to soothe your soul and simplify your evening.

So, what exactly is this lifesaver of a meal? Essentially, Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup deconstructs your favorite baked casserole into a hearty, brothy soup. We start with perfectly seasoned ground beef, the foundation of so many fantastic ground beef recipes. Then, we build layers of flavor with a rich enchilada sauce, black beans, sweet corn, and tender rice. The result is a vibrant, one-pot wonder that delivers the iconic enchilada experience without the rolling, stacking, or lengthy baking time. This recipe matters because it respects your time and your taste buds equally, offering a genuine from-scratch flavor with weeknight ease. Moreover, it fits our blog’s mission perfectly: to deliver incredibly delicious, reliable recipes that real people can actually make on a busy schedule. Furthermore, it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust the spice level to your liking or toss in any extra veggies you have on hand. Ultimately, it’s the ultimate solution for anyone seeking maximum comfort with minimal effort.

Why I Love This Recipe

This soup holds a special place in my heart because it became our family’s go-to during a particularly hectic week. I desperately wanted to make my famous beef enchiladas but realized I had neither the time nor the energy. So, I decided to throw all the components into a pot with some broth. The outcome was an instant classic that everyone, including my pickiest eater, devoured. Now, it represents more than just a meal; it symbolizes a little kitchen victory, proving that a crazy day can still end with something truly delicious and deeply satisfying.

Health and Nutrition

Why it’s good for your body

This Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup delivers a powerful nutritional punch that truly satisfies. First, the lean ground beef provides a fantastic source of high-quality protein, which is essential for building muscle and keeping you full for hours. Additionally, the tomatoes and tomato paste offer a rich concentration of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for supporting heart health.

Moreover, the beans contribute a significant amount of dietary fiber, which actively promotes healthy digestion and stable blood sugar levels. Consequently, you enjoy a steady release of energy without the dreaded crash. Furthermore, the blend of spices like cumin and chili powder doesn’t just add flavor; they also bring anti-inflammatory properties to your bowl.

Ultimately, this wholesome combination of ingredients creates a meal that supports your body from the inside out. Therefore, enjoying a bowl of Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup means you are nourishing yourself with a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients. Finally, you can feel great about serving this deeply flavorful and nutritionally complete Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup to your entire family.

How it fits in a healthy lifestyle

This soup seamlessly fits into a balanced and healthy lifestyle. It naturally aligns with high-protein eating plans, thanks to the lean beef and beans, helping you meet your fitness and satiety goals. For those monitoring their gluten intake, this recipe is inherently gluten-free, especially when you use a verified gluten-free enchilada sauce and broth.

You can easily make it ahead for meal prep, ensuring you have a wholesome lunch ready to go all week. Pair it with a light side salad for a complete and satisfying meal. If you love this approach to healthy, flavorful comfort food, you might also enjoy our Healthy Chicken Taco Soup for another weeknight option. For more inspiration on building nutritious meals, explore our guide to Creating a Balanced Plate that supports your wellness journey without sacrificing flavor.

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easy-enchiladas-ground-beef-soup

Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup

  • Author: Chef mia
  • Prep Time: PT10M
  • Cook Time: PT30M
  • Total Time: PT40M
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Method: Main Dish, Soup
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

Hearty and comforting soup loaded with ground beef, enchilada flavors, and a delicious blend of ingredients perfect for any day.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Soup Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional Toppings
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped green onions
  • Tortilla chips or strips

Instructions

  1. Preparation:
  2. Brown Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  3. Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
  4. Make Soup: Add enchilada sauce, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, beef broth, cumin, and chili powder to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  5. Simmer: Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to meld flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serving:
  7. Serve hot topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips or strips as desired.

How to Prepare This Dish

Steps and time-saving tips

First, grab your largest soup pot or Dutch oven and place it over medium-high heat. Brown your ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles with your spoon as it cooks. Meanwhile, chop your onion and garlic. Once the beef loses its pink color, drain any excess grease. Next, add your chopped aromatics to the pot and sauté them with the beef until they become soft and fragrant. This step builds a fantastic flavor base for your Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup. Pour in the enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth, then give everything a good stir. Bring the pot to a lively boil before reducing the heat to a gentle simmer.

Let your soup bubble aw

ay for about fifteen minutes, allowing all those wonderful flavors to marry together. For a brilliant time-saving tip, use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef to skip the browning step entirely. Now, stir in your black beans and frozen corn directly from the freezer. Finally, turn off the heat and fold in your shredded cheese until it melts into a creamy, luxurious broth. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and get ready for the best part. Top each serving with a handful of crunchy tortilla strips, a dollop of cool sour cream, and some fresh cilantro. This entire process is wonderfully straightforward and delivers massive flavor with minimal effort.

Mistakes I’ve made and learned from

I have definitely learned a few lessons the hard way with this Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup. My biggest mistake was using a store-bought enchilada sauce that was far too spicy for my family, which completely overpowered the other ingredients. Now, I always taste the sauce straight from the can first to gauge its heat level. If it’s too intense, I simply use a milder version or mix it with a can of tomato sauce to temper the spice. Another common error I made was adding the cheese incorrectly. I would just dump it all in at once, which sometimes caused it to clump up instead of melting smoothly. To avoid this, I now always remove the soup from the heat first and then gradually stir the cheese in. For more guidance on selecting the right ingredients, my post on choosing the best enchilada sauce is a great resource. And if you’re worried about getting the consistency just right, my tips for fixing a soup that’s too thick have saved dinner more than once.

n-and-variations">Cultural Connection and Variations

Where this recipe comes from

This recipe pulls its vibrant soul straight from the heart of Mexican home cooking. Families across regions like Jalisco or New Mexico often prepare a similar, slow-simmered soup called Sopa de Albóndigas, but we take a delicious shortcut. My version, the Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup, actually spins a weeknight favorite into a comforting bowl. Instead of rolling individual enchiladas, we deconstruct them. Ultimately, this creates a hearty, brothy dish that honors the original flavors while saving precious time.

Different regions certainly put their own stamp on it. For instance, some cooks in Northern Mexico might use a richer, spicier red chile broth. Conversely, families in Texas often add a generous handful of corn or pinto beans for extra heartiness. In my own home, my abuela always topped each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. This bright finish cuts through the richness beautifully. That personal touch makes every pot of Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup feel like a warm hug.

How it fits in today’s cooking

This soup fits perfectly into our modern need for comforting, efficient meals. It delivers all the nostalgic flavor of a classic casserole without the assembly. Busy weeknights absolutely demand this kind of one-pot solution. Furthermore, its adaptability makes it a year-round staple. You can enjoy it during chilly fall evenings or even as a lighter summer meal by adjusting the toppings.

Today’s cooks al

so love making it their own. Many people easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or a plant-based alternative. Others might stir in quinoa for a protein boost. It’s the ideal dish for a cozy family dinner or for meal prepping lunches. If you need another comforting idea for a busy night, our Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup follows a similar, stress-free philosophy. For a sweet ending that also comes together quickly, our Simple Vanilla Cupcakes are the perfect follow-up. This soup truly proves that classic comfort food can effortlessly keep up with our fast-paced lives.

Taste and Texture

What makes it delicious

This Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup wraps you in a warm, savory embrace from the very first spoonful. Rich, tomato-forward enchilada sauce and deeply seasoned ground beef create a hearty and robust base. Meanwhile, soft beans and tender corn offer delightful little pockets of creamy and sweet texture in every bite. Ultimately, the melted cheese on top pulls everything together with its gooey, luxurious finish. Each element contributes to a fantastically satisfying and complete meal in a bowl.

Boosting the flavor

For an instant flavor boost, consider stirring in a spoonful of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles; it introduces a subtle smoky heat that complements the existing spices beautifully. Furthermore, a bright squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving will lift all the rich flavors and add a welcome zesty note. Don’t forget the power of toppings; a dollop of cool sour cream or a handful of crunchy tortilla strips provides fantastic contrast. For more inspiration on building the perfect bowl, explore our guide to creative taco toppings that work wonderfully here too. If you find yourself with extra ground beef, you can always transform it into another family favorite like our easy beef taco pasta.

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Tips for Success

Best practices for results

Always brown your ground beef thoroughly first to develop a rich, deep flavor base for your Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup. Furthermore, use a good quality enchilada sauce, as it forms the soul of the dish. For the best texture, add your tortilla strips just before serving so they stay pleasantly chewy instead of becoming mushy. Finally, generously top each bowl with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime to brighten all the flavors instantly.

Mistakes to avoid

A common error is over-salting the broth early on, especially since the enchilada sauce and toppings contain sodium. Therefore, always taste your soup after it simmers and adjust the seasoning at the very end. Additionally, avoid using lean ground beef, as a higher fat content provides more flavor; however, you must remember to skim any excess grease after browning the meat for a cleaner soup. For more guidance on building flavor without salt, explore our guide on balancing soup seasonings. Moreover, do not let the soup boil vigorously after adding the dairy, as this can cause it to curdle. Instead, always stir in sour cream or cheese over low heat. For a deeper dive into perfecting creamy soups, check out our tips for avoiding curdled soup.

g-suggestions">Serving and Pairing Suggestions

How to serve this dish

Serve your Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup piping hot in deep, colorful bowls. For a festive touch, top each serving with a generous handful of shredded cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, and a bright sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Furthermore, set out small bowls of diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, and crunchy tortilla strips so everyone can customize their bowl. This vibrant presentation makes the meal feel special and interactive. Consequently, it becomes the perfect centerpiece for a casual weeknight dinner or a lively game day gathering.

What goes well with it

Pair this hearty soup with warm, buttery cornbread for a truly comforting experience. The sweet corn flavor beautifully balances the rich, savory notes of the Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup. Alternatively, a crisp, refreshing side salad provides a light and crunchy contrast. For a complete Tex-Mex feast, consider serving it alongside our popular Easy Chicken Taquitos. Finally, a chilled glass of horchata or a light Mexican beer wonderfully cleanses the palate between each delicious spoonful. Moreover, our zesty Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing makes a fantastic drizzle for those who love an extra kick.

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What is the best ground beef to use for enchilada soup?

For the best flavor and texture in your Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup, we recommend using lean ground beef, such as 85/15 or 90/10. This provides rich flavor without making the soup overly greasy. Leaner beef helps the other ingredients, like tomatoes and spices, shine through in this comforting dish.

Can I make this enchilada soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! This Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup adapts perfectly to a slow cooker. Simply brown the ground beef on the stove first, then transfer it and all other ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours to let the flavors meld together beautifully.

What toppings are good on ground beef enchilada soup?

Traditional enchilada toppings work wonderfully here. We suggest shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Crushed tortilla chips or strips add a delightful crunch that makes this Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup even more satisfying.

ank-math-faq-item"> How long does leftover enchilada soup last in the fridge?

Properly stored in an airtight container, your leftover Easy Enchiladas Ground Beef Soup will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors often deepen and improve the next day. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if it has thickened too much.

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