Cheesy Ground Beef Pizza Enchiladas Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To elevate the flavor profile of this dish, consider browning the ground beef with a combination of sweet or spicy Italian sausage. This blend adds a deeper complexity and a rustic texture that mimics a classic meat-lovers pizza.

Additionally, brushing the tops of the rolled tortillas with a tiny bit of garlic butter before adding the pizza sauce can create an incredible garlic-bread style crust underneath the cheese, enhancing the overall Italian-inspired flavor.

If you are serving a crowd with varying tastes, you can easily customize individual enchiladas within the same baking dish. Fill some with just cheese and beef, and others with added mushrooms or jalapenos.

Just make sure to keep track of which is which when arranging them. Always let the dish rest briefly after pulling it out of the oven; this short cooling period helps the cheese solidify slightly, giving you those perfect, clean spatula lifts with spectacular cheese pulls.

Variations

• Vegetarian Pizza Enchiladas: Replace the ground beef with a mixture of sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives for a delicious veggie-packed alternative.
• Meat Lovers Special: Add cooked Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, and diced ham to the ground beef filling for an extra hearty meat lovers version.
• Spicy Pepperoni Kick: Use spicy pepperoni, add diced jalapeños to the beef filling, and sprinkle red pepper flakes over the cheese before baking.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, cooling them within 2 hours of cooking.

Freezer

Freeze the baked and cooled enchiladas in a freezer-safe container or tightly wrapped in foil for up to 2 months.

Reheat

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until hot.

Allow any leftover enchiladas to cool completely at room temperature for no more than 2 hours to ensure food safety. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked enchiladas in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

This casserole is an excellent candidate for meal prep. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Simply roll the enchiladas, place them in the baking dish, cover them with the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, and cover the dish tightly with foil.

Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. When baking from cold, add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the total baking time to ensure the center is heated through.

Serving ideas

Serve these rich and cheesy pizza enchiladas hot, straight from the baking dish, to maximize the dramatic mozzarella cheese pull. Garnish the top generously with the freshly chopped parsley right before serving to add a vibrant pop of color and a clean, refreshing contrast to the savory, indulgent flavors.

A spatula is the best tool for lifting the individual rolls out cleanly without tearing the tender tortillas or losing the delicious toppings.

To balance out the richness of the melted cheese and seasoned beef, pair this dish with a crisp, refreshing green salad tossed in a light Italian vinaigrette. Garlic bread or warm breadsticks also make a wonderful accompaniment, perfect for scooping up any extra pizza sauce left on the plate. For a fun twist, serve additional warm pizza sauce or a side of creamy ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Cheesy Ground Beef Pizza Enchiladas

Prep 15 minCook 25 minRest 10 minTotal 50 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce, divided
• 8 medium flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 3 oz sliced pepperoni
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook the meat, breaking it apart into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until it is completely browned and no pink remains.
2. Lower the heat to medium. Stir 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce into the browned beef. Cook for 2 more minutes to combine, allowing the flavors to meld. Ensure the ground beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) before removing the skillet from the heat.
3. Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds to make them pliable and easy to roll.
4. Lay a tortilla flat, add a generous scoop of the beef filling down the center, and sprinkle with a tablespoon of mozzarella cheese. Roll the tortilla up tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
5. Pour the remaining pizza sauce evenly over the arranged enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, then arrange the pepperoni slices in an even layer across the cheese.
6. Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

580

Protein

32 g

Carbohydrates

34 g

Fat

35 g

Fiber

2 g

Sugar

4 g

Sodium

1150 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.