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Get ready for the easiest, most flavorful Tex Mex dinner you’ll ever make; without any fuss! These Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas are a total game changer. We’re letting your crockpot do all the work, slowly simmering seasoned ground beef with beans and peppers into an incredibly rich and saucy filling. Then, we simply stir in tortilla pieces, top it with melty cheese, and bake (or pop the crock back in!) for the ultimate cozy, comforting casserole. It’s the definition of a “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • The Easiest Enchiladas Ever: No rolling or stuffing individual tortillas! Just layer and bake for a deconstructed, ultra comforting casserole.
  • Slow Cooker Magic: 10 minutes of prep in the morning yields a deeply flavorful, tender beef filling by dinnertime.
  • Feeds a Crowd: This makes a big, hearty batch perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or delicious leftovers.
  • Kid Approved & Customizable: Mildly spiced for the whole family, but easy to spice up with hot sauce or jalapeños for adults.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas

For the Slow Cooker Filling:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (24 oz) jar passata or tomato puree
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder

To Assemble:

  • 6 medium flour tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips or pieces
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar is perfect)

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Sliced green onions
  • Diced red chili or jalapeño
  • Sour cream

Instructions for Making Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas

1The “Set It and Forget It” Step: Add all the ingredients for the Slow Cooker Filling (ground beef, onion, bell peppers, kidney beans, passata, tomato paste, bouillon, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder) to your slow cooker insert.
Important: Do NOT stir. Just place the ground beef in first and break it up slightly, then add the remaining ingredients on top. This helps it cook evenly.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours.

2Prep and Assemble: About 30 minutes before serving, stir the cooked filling well; the beef will be tender and broken down beautifully.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if you plan to finish it in the oven (for a crispy top), or leave your slow cooker on HIGH.
Stir the tortilla pieces directly into the hot filling until they are well incorporated and start to soften.

3The Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Oven Method: Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Slow Cooker Method: Simply place the lid back on the slow cooker (on HIGH) and let it sit for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is melted.

4Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and diced chili if desired.
Serve hot, with sides like sour cream, guacamole, or a simple green salad.

 

Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole

This easy Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole is the ultimate hands off dinner! A rich, saucy beef & bean filling gets topped with tortillas and cheese for cozy comfort food.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Cook Time (low) 8 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers chopped
  • 2 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained
  • 1 24 oz jar passata or tomato puree
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes crushed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 6 medium flour tortillas cut into pieces
  • 2 cups shredded cheese mozzarella/cheddar blend

Instructions
 

  • Add all filling ingredients (beef through garlic powder) to a slow cooker. Do not stir.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • Stir filling well. Stir in tortilla pieces.
  • Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.
  • Option A: Cover slow cooker (on HIGH) for 20-30 mins until cheese melts.
  • Option B: Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish and bake at 400°F for 10-15 mins until golden.
  • Garnish with green onions and serve.

Notes

  • No Browning Needed: The ground beef cooks perfectly in the slow cooker without pre browning.
  • Spice Level: ½ tsp chili powder gives mild flavor. Add up to 2 tsp for more heat, or serve with hot sauce.
  • Make Ahead: Combine all filling ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate. In the morning, place it in the base and cook.

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