Description
This fun and flavorful Meat Lovers’ Pizza Enchiladas recipe mashes up two family favorites into one incredible meal. Soft flour tortillas are stuffed with a creamy, savory filling of ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and ricotta cheese, then smothered in zesty pizza sauce and melted mozzarella. It is the ultimate comfort food dinner that brings a bold, cheesy twist to your weeknight rotation.
Ingredients
For the Enchiladas
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 oz beef pepperoni, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup crumbled bacon
- 8 large flour tortillas
For the Topping
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz pepperoni slices
Instructions
Preheat and Brown Beef
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the lean ground beef. Crumble the beef well as it cooks until it is fully browned and no pink remains.
Sauté the Aromatics
Add the diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and the chopped beef pepperoni to the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir well and continue cooking until the vegetables have softened.
Add Garlic
Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, or just until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Make the Filling
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1/3 cup of pizza sauce, the Italian seasoning, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and the crumbled bacon. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined and the texture is creamy.
Assemble the Enchiladas
Divide the beef mixture evenly among the 8 flour tortillas. Roll them up tightly and place them seam-side down on a baking sheet or in a large baking dish.
Top the Dish
Pour the remaining 2 cups of pizza sauce evenly over the rolled-up tortillas. Sprinkle the generous 2 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the pepperoni slices.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
Serve
Remove from the oven. If you prefer browned cheese, you can broil for 1-2 minutes (watching closely). Serve hot while the cheese is gooey.
Notes
Shred Your Own Cheese: For the best melt, buy a block of mozzarella and shred it yourself. Pre-bagged cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a smooth, gooey layer.
The Ricotta Factor: Don’t skip the ricotta! It acts as a binder and adds a creamy, lasagna-like texture to the beef filling, ensuring the inside of the tortilla stays moist and flavorful.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the enchiladas earlier in the day and keep the tray refrigerated. When ready to eat, add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is going into the oven cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Enchilada
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1450mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: pizza enchiladas, meat lovers dinner, beef and pepperoni recipe, baked enchiladas, easy family dinner, cheesy beef casserole