If you’ve ever been torn between taco night and pizza night, this Pizza Enchiladas with Ground Beef recipe is the ultimate solution. This fusion dish takes the comforting structure of an enchilada—soft tortillas rolled around a savory filling—and packs it with the bold, classic flavors of a pepperoni pizza.
With seasoned ground beef, zesty pizza sauce, and a molten layer of mozzarella topped with crispy pepperoni, it’s a crowd-pleasing dinner that the whole family will request again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Fusion
- The Best of Both Worlds: You get the hearty, beefy satisfaction of a Mexican-style bake combined with the herbaceous, cheesy goodness of Italian pizza.
- Easy Cleanup: Like most enchilada bakes, this is a “one-pan” meal once the beef is browned, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Perfect for Picky Eaters: It’s familiar, cheesy, and fun—a guaranteed hit for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for the bottom of the dish)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 8–10 flour tortillas (soft taco size)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat.
- Season & Simmer: Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir in about 1/2 cup of pizza sauce and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheese is just starting to melt.
- Roll the Enchiladas: Place a generous spoonful of the beef mixture into the center of each tortilla. Add a few slices of pepperoni inside for an extra flavor kick. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Top It Off: Spread the remaining pizza sauce over the top of the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle generously with the remaining mozzarella cheese and layer the rest of the pepperoni slices on top.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and the pepperoni slices should be slightly crisp around the edges.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Pro-Tips for Perfect Pizza Enchiladas
- Crispy Pepperoni: If you like your pepperoni extra crispy, you can briefly “par-cook” the slices in a pan for 30 seconds before placing them on top of the cheese.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture if you prefer a “pepperoni with a kick” flavor profile.
- Veggie Loaded: Stir in some diced green peppers or sliced black olives with the ground beef to recreate a “Supreme Pizza” feel.