Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta

Featured in: Comfort Food

This dish offers a savory fusion of seasoned ground beef and vibrant enchilada sauce paired with tender pasta. Cook beef until browned, sauté onions and garlic, then combine with sauce and cooked pasta. Topped with melted cheddar and a touch of sour cream, it delivers comforting flavors in a single pot, perfect for speedy meal preparation.

Updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:50:00 GMT
Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta, a one-pot meal, featuring melted cheese and rich, savory sauce. Save
Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta, a one-pot meal, featuring melted cheese and rich, savory sauce. | berrycottage.com

A quick and flavorful fusion of classic enchilada flavors with comforting pasta, this one-pot dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Lean ground beef, zesty enchilada sauce, and melty cheddar cheese come together for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal.

I first served this to my family on a hectic weeknight and it was an instant favorite, disappearing from the table quickly.

Ingredients

  • Lean ground beef: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: 1 cup (115 g) for topping
  • Sour cream: ½ cup (120 g) for serving
  • Penne or rotini pasta: 8 oz (225 g)
  • Onion: 1 medium, diced
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Enchilada sauce: 1 cup (240 ml)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Step 2:
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 3:
Stir in the enchilada sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
Step 4:
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
Step 5:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir until everything is well combined and heated through.
Step 6:
Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
This delicious close-up highlights steamy Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta with pasta and ground beef. Save
This delicious close-up highlights steamy Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta with pasta and ground beef. | berrycottage.com

This recipe quickly became a family tradition during busy evenings, often accompanied by laughter and stories around the dinner table.

Required Tools

Large skillet, large pot, wooden spoon or spatula, chefs knife, cutting board, colander

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese, sour cream), Wheat (pasta). May contain Soy (check enchilada sauce), Gluten (pasta and sauce). Always check labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 550 Calories, 28 g Total Fat, 46 g Carbohydrates, 31 g Protein

A bubbling skillet of Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta is ready to serve with sour cream and cheese. Save
A bubbling skillet of Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta is ready to serve with sour cream and cheese. | berrycottage.com

This enchilada pasta recipe is a quick, tasty solution for weeknight dinners that the whole family will enjoy.

Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta

Quick, satisfying blend of ground beef, enchilada sauce, pasta, and cheddar cheese for busy evenings.

Prep duration
10 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
30 min
Created by Lily Anderson


Complexity Easy

Heritage Mexican

Output 4 Portions

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Protein & Dairy

01 1 lb lean ground beef
02 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 ½ cup sour cream

Pasta

01 8 oz penne or rotini pasta

Vegetables

01 1 medium onion, diced
02 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

01 1 cup enchilada sauce

Directions

Direction 01

Brown ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Direction 02

Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until onions turn translucent, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.

Direction 03

Simmer sauce: Pour enchilada sauce into the skillet and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

Direction 04

Cook pasta: Prepare pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions, then drain thoroughly.

Direction 05

Combine pasta and beef mixture: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture, stirring to combine and warm through evenly.

Direction 06

Serve: Plate the pasta mixture hot, garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Necessary tools

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Colander

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if you have concerns.
  • Contains milk and wheat; may contain soy and gluten depending on sauce brand

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 550
  • Fats: 28 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Proteins: 31 g