Easy Ground Beef or Venison Enchilada Pie Recipe

Sharing is caring!

Ground beef or venison enchilada pie recipe: Easy, delicious, and perfect for feeding a crowd with nostalgic flavors and versatile ingredients.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

View more

This enchilada pie recipe was one I have fond memories of eating as a child. It is easy, delicious mexican food recipe that is a family favorite and great for making in bulk to feed a crowd. My mom definitely never made it with ground venison enchiladas, but our hunting family has found this to be a great recipe to use it in!

What is Enchilada Pie?

An enchilada pie is a layered, casserole-style dish that combines the flavors of traditional enchiladas in an easy-to-assemble pie format. Instead of rolling individual tortillas around a filling, the ingredients in this excellent recipe are layered in a baking dish, similar to a lasagna.This makes it a great option for feeding our whole family, 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy to prepare: It’s simpler to assemble than traditional enchiladas since you layer the ingredients in a baking dish rather than rolling each one individually.
• Feeds a Crowd: Enchilada pie is perfect for feeding a large group or family gatherings because it can be made in a larger baking dish. You can customize the filling with different meats (like ground beef or venison), beans, vegetables, and cheeses to suit your taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: It can be assembled ahead of time and baked when needed, making it convenient as a backup busy night meal. Enchilada pie is hearty and filling, making it a satisfying meal option that can be served as a main dish.

Tips for Making Ground Beef or Venison Enchilada Pie

• Choose the Right Tortillas: Use corn tortillas for a more traditional flavor or flour tortillas for a milder taste. Corn tortillas tend to hold up better in the dish.
• Customize Fillings: Tailor the filling to your preferences by adding beans, corn, diced tomatoes, or shredded chicken along with the meat. This adds variety and texture to the dish.
• Cheese on Top: Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top of the final layer before baking. This creates a gooey, melty topping that adds richness to the dish.
• Cover When Baking: Cover the baking dish with foil during the initial baking to prevent the top layer of cheese from browning too quickly. Remove the foil towards the end of baking to allow the cheese to fully melt and bubble.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the enchilada pie rest for a few minutes after baking to allow it to set. This makes it easier to slice and enhances the flavors.
• Garnish and Serve: Serve the enchilada pie with fresh toppings like chopped cilantro, diced avocado, red onion, sour cream, or salsa for added freshness and flavor.

How to Make Ground Beef or Venison Enchilada Pie

1. Brown ground meat, adding in taco seasoning and water according to your seasoning’s directions. Cook until done. Set aside.
2. Butter a 9″ pie pan.
3. Butter both sides of the 2 tortillas.
4. Sprinkle a small amount of the taco meat in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Add the first tortilla.
6. Add a layer of refried beans, if desired.
7. Follow with a layer of 1/2 the taco meat, cheese and some sliced olives, if desired.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortillas: tortilla, beans, the rest of the taco meat, cheese, and olives.
9. Spray the underside of a piece of foil with cooking spray (or butter) and then cover the pie pan. Refrigerate until ready to bake.

1 hour before you plan to serve dinner…

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and remove the pie pan from the refrigerator.
2. After the oven is preheated, bake the dish covered for 45 minutes.
3. Serve hot with your favorite toppings: such as sour cream, salsa or green chiles.
4. Enjoy!

How to Store

• Refrigeration: Allow the enchilada pie to cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Enchilada pie makes a great freezer meal. After assembling but before baking, wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Alternatively, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or foil pans. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

How to Reheat

If frozen, thaw the enchilada pie overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the cover during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to melt and the top to crisp up slightly For smaller portions, you can also microwave individual servings until heated through.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Can ground beef or venison enchilada pie be made gluten-free?

Yes, enchilada pie can be made gluten-free by using corn tortillas and ensuring all other ingredients, including enchilada sauce and toppings, are gluten-free.

Can ground beef or venison enchilada pie be made dairy-free?

Yes, ground beef or venison enchilada pie can be made dairy-free by using dairy-free cheese alternatives or omitting cheese altogether, and choosing dairy-free enchilada sauce and other dairy-free ingredients.

Save this recipe for later by pinning it!

FAQs

How do I brown ground beef or venison for this recipe? 

Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil until fully browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef or venison?

Yes, ground turkey can be substituted for a lighter option in this beef enchilada casserole recipe.

What’s the best way to make homemade enchilada sauce?

Combine tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and other seasonings in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened.

What are some good toppings for enchilada pie?

Try topping with sliced green onions, black olives, diced avocado, or a dollop of dairy-free sour cream for added flavor and texture.

How should I layer the ingredients in the casserole dish?

Start with a layer of tortilla chips or tortillas on the bottom, followed by a layer of the meat mixture, black beans, and cheese. Repeat until ingredients are used, ending with a layer of tortillas topped with sauce and cheese.

What’s the best way to ensure the cheese on top is melty and golden?

Cover the casserole with foil during baking and remove it during the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and bubble.