It was a rainy Friday in our small town, the kind where the sidewalks glisten under streetlights and everyone seems to move a little slower. I had just walked in from a long shift at the office, my heels kicked off by the door, blazer draped over a chair.
My son was at the kitchen table building a model bridge for school, my daughter flipping through a pizza takeout menu, and my husband asking if we had tortillas left from taco night. Pizza night and taco night had somehow collided in our house.
Instead of ordering out, I stood there staring at a pound of lean ground beef in the fridge and a stack of large flour tortillas in the pantry. The kids started debating toppings like they were in a pizzeria. Pepperoni versus bacon. Extra cheese versus extra sauce. I decided right then to blend both worlds into one pan. Something hearty, saucy, cheesy, and filling enough for my growing kids and a husband who never turns down seconds.
By the time the oven was glowing at 375°F, the kitchen had turned into a family project. My daughter sprinkled cheese like she was decorating a cake. My son carefully placed pepperoni slices in neat rows. The smell of beef, garlic, and Italian seasoning drifted through the house, and the rain outside suddenly felt cozy instead of dreary. That night, this Pizza Enchilada Bake Beef was born, and it has been our answer to indecisive dinner requests ever since.
Short Description
Pizza Enchilada Bake Beef is a layered, rolled tortilla casserole filled with seasoned lean ground beef, pizza sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni, and bacon. Baked until bubbly and golden, it combines the flavors of classic pizza with the comforting structure of enchiladas.
Key Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped pepperoni
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
For assembly and topping
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup extra pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup more crumbled bacon
Tools Needed
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat and Veggies
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the lean ground beef. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. The meat should no longer be pink and should be crumbly.
Drain excess grease if needed. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and chopped pepperoni. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until onions are soft and peppers are slightly tender but still vibrant.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Finish the Base
Stir in chopped garlic and cook for 2 minutes. You should smell the garlic bloom without browning. Remove skillet from heat.
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Filling
To the skillet, add 1 cup pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, and ½ cup crumbled bacon. Stir until fully combined and creamy. The mixture should be thick but scoopable. If it seems too loose, let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken.
Step 4: Prepare the Tortillas
Warm tortillas for 20 seconds under a damp paper towel in the microwave to prevent cracking. Lay one tortilla flat and spoon about ½ cup of filling in a line down the center.
Step 5: Roll and Arrange
Roll the tortilla firmly, tucking in slightly if possible. Place seam side down in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. They should fit snugly side by side.
Step 6: Add Sauce and Toppings
Pour 1 cup extra pizza sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle 1½ cups mozzarella over the top. Arrange sliced pepperoni and sprinkle additional bacon evenly.
Step 7: Bake
Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes. The cheese should be fully melted and turning golden brown around the edges. If you want more browning, broil for 2 minutes at the end while watching carefully.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Let the bake cool for 5 to 7 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set and makes serving easier.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Combines pizza flavors with enchilada comfort
Feeds a family of four with leftovers
Uses lean beef for a lighter option
Great for meal prep and reheating
Customizable with different toppings
Kid approved and adult satisfying
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overfilling Tortillas
Too much filling can cause tortillas to tear and leak during baking.
Solution: Stick to about ½ cup filling per tortilla and roll firmly.
Skipping the Drain Step
Excess grease from beef can make the bake soggy.
Solution: Drain cooked beef thoroughly before adding other ingredients.
Cold Tortillas Cracking
Dry tortillas split when rolled.
Solution: Warm under a damp towel for 20 seconds before filling.
Too Much Sauce on Top
Overloading sauce can make the dish watery.
Solution: Measure 1 cup evenly over the top and spread gently.
Undercooking the Veggies
Crunchy onions can overpower texture.
Solution: Cook onions and peppers until softened before mixing filling.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve family style straight from the baking dish.
Pair with a crisp green salad with vinaigrette.
Add roasted zucchini or broccoli on the side.
Offer garlic bread for extra indulgence.
Serve with sparkling water, iced tea, or a light red wine.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
For freezing, wrap individual portions tightly and freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes to keep cheese gooey.
Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes if short on time, then broil briefly for texture.
Add a spoonful of pizza sauce before reheating to maintain moisture.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Substitute equal amount and cook the same way. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil for moisture if needed.
2. Can I make this ahead for a busy weeknight?
Absolutely. Assemble fully, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
3. Is ricotta necessary?
Ricotta adds creaminess, but you can replace it with 1 cup cottage cheese blended smooth.
4. How do I prevent the top from burning?
If browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the last 10 minutes.
5. Can I add more vegetables?
Yes. Mushrooms, spinach, or black olives work beautifully. Cook vegetables first to remove moisture.
Tips & Tricks
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting.
Let the bake rest before slicing for cleaner portions.
Taste filling before rolling and adjust seasoning.
Line baking dish with light spray to prevent sticking.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Jalapeño Version
Add ¼ cup diced jalapeños to the beef mixture in Step 1. Increase Italian seasoning to 1½ tablespoons for bold flavor. Expect a mild heat and lively finish.
Supreme Style
Add ½ cup sautéed mushrooms and ¼ cup sliced black olives to the filling in Step 3. Cook mushrooms first to remove excess moisture. This version tastes like a loaded pizza slice.
Low Carb Option
Replace tortillas with large low carb wraps and reduce ricotta to ¾ cup. Bake 22 minutes for slightly firmer texture.
Chicken Swap
Use 1 pound cooked shredded chicken instead of beef. Mix with 1 tablespoon olive oil before adding sauce to prevent dryness. Bake same time.
Extra Cheesy Version
Add ½ cup provolone into filling mixture and increase topping mozzarella by ½ cup. Bake until golden and bubbling.
Final Thoughts
Dinner in our home is rarely quiet. There are stories from school, work frustrations, and jokes flying across the table. This Pizza Enchilada Bake Beef has become one of those meals that brings everyone to the table quickly, forks ready and conversations flowing. It bridges two favorites into one pan without making my evening complicated.
After long shifts at the office, I do not need fancy techniques. I need recipes that deliver comfort, stretch the grocery budget, and keep my family happy. Watching my kids debate who gets the corner piece with extra cheese tells me this one will stay in rotation for a long time.
Cheesy Pizza Enchilada Bake Beef
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped pepperoni
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
For assembly and topping
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup extra pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup more crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown beef 6 to 8 minutes. Drain. Add onion, pepper, pepperoni. Cook 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add garlic. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix in pizza sauce, seasoning, ricotta, mozzarella, bacon. Stir until thick.
- Warm tortillas. Add ½ cup filling to each.
- Roll and place seam side down in greased dish.
- Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden. Broil briefly if needed.
- Rest 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm.
